US EditionFormer Congo rebel leader Lumbala sentenced to 30 years over wartime atrocities
Roger Lumbala was sentenced to 30 years for crimes including rape and torture by a France court using universal jurisdiction to address impunity from Congo's Second War.
- On Monday, the Paris criminal court convicted Roger Lumbala, former Congolese rebel leader and ex‑minister, of complicity in crimes against humanity and sentenced him to 30 years, court President Marc Sommerer said.
- During 2002–2003, Operation 'Erase the Slate' carried out by the RCD‑N targeted Nande and Bambuti communities with atrocities, supported by Uganda and allied with the MLC.
- Survivors testified for more than a month, describing rape as a weapon of war, sexual slavery, forced labour, torture, mutilation, and looting, with David Karamay Kasereka and Pisco Paluku Sirikivuya recounting extreme abuses.
- Rights groups said the verdict could expand accountability beyond the ICC, as Lumbala's case is the first national court in France sentencing a Congolese leader under universal jurisdiction.
- Lumbala denied responsibility, refused to testify, and has ten days to appeal as eastern Congo remains unstable with more than 100 active armed groups and last week's M23 rebel group seizure.
20 Articles
20 Articles
Former Congolese rebel leader Lumbala has been sentenced to 30 years in prison in France.
Former Congolese warlord sentenced to 30 years in prison for complicity in crimes against humanity
Roger Lumbala was found guilty by the Paris criminal court on Monday for acts committed in 2002 and 2003 while he led a rebel group in eastern DR Congo. It is the first time a foreign national court has tried a former Congolese warlord for crimes committed in that region.
The Straits Times
The PrintFrench court jails Congo ex-rebel leader for 30 years
PARIS, Dec 15 - Congolese ex-rebel leader Roger Lumbala was found guilty by a Paris court on Monday of complicity in crimes against humanity committed during the Second Congo War and was sentenced to 30 years in prison, an official said. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Roger Lumbala, convicted by the French justice for complicity in crimes against humanity in the DRC, moved only to listen to the verdict on 15 December.
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