A French court has sentenced Roger Lumbala, a 67-year-old former rebel leader and politician from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), to 30 years in prison after finding him guilty of complicity in crimes against humanity.
The Verdict and Charges
Lumbala, who was arrested in France nearly five years ago, was found guilty of ordering or aiding and abetting torture and inhumane crimes, summary executions, rape constituting torture, sexual slavery, forced labor, and theft. These crimes were committed during a period known as the Second Congo War, which took place from 1998 to 2003.
He led the Rally of Congolese Democrats and Nationalists (RCD-N), a rebel movement that operated during this conflict. The specific actions were linked to the "Erase the Slate" operation, conducted between 2002 and 2003. This operation targeted members of the Nande and Bambuti ethnic groups in the north-eastern provinces of Ituri and North Kivu. A United Nations team that investigated the aftermath described the operation as characterized by "premeditated operations using looting, rape and summary execution as tools of warfare."
Legal Proceedings
Lumbala refused to acknowledge the legitimacy of the court in Paris and did not attend the trial, which commenced last month. However, he was present for the delivery of the verdict on Monday.
His case was prosecuted under the principle of "universal jurisdiction," a legal concept that permits French courts to pursue justice for crimes against humanity committed outside France.
Five non-governmental organizations, including Trial International and the Clooney Foundation for Justice, collaborated in the trial. They assisted 65 survivors, witnesses, and experts in providing testimony regarding the "Erase the Slate" operation. Survivors David Karamay Kasereka, 41, and Pisco Sirikivuya Paluku, 50, publicly stated that the verdict represented a step toward healing.
Lumbala's legal team has stated that the sentence is excessive and has a 10-day period to file an appeal. Prosecutors had sought a life sentence.
Background and Context
Lumbala served as a minister in DR Congo's transitional government from 2003 to 2005 and subsequently as a member of parliament. Years after these roles, the Congolese government issued an arrest warrant for him concerning alleged support for the M23 rebel group, which led to his flight to France.
Human rights organizations welcomed the verdict, describing it as a landmark decision for accountability in the long-running conflict. Daniele Perissi of Trial International stated that this was the first time a national court addressed the atrocities of the Second Congo War, demonstrating that justice is possible even after decades.
The Second Congo War involved nine countries and numerous rebel groups, with estimated fatalities ranging from two to five million people. The eastern region of DR Congo has experienced conflict for over three decades following the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Several peace agreements dating back to the 1990s have not been sustained.
Other militia leaders, including Thomas Lubanga, Germain Katanga, and Bosco Ntaganda, have been tried and convicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for abuses committed in eastern DR Congo.