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. The verdict, delivered on Monday, found him guilty of complicity in crimes against humanity committed more than two decades ago. Mr. Lumbala was present for the verdict but had not attended the trial, which commenced last month. He has refused to acknowledge the legitimacy of the court.
Charges and Conviction
The court found Mr. Lumbala guilty of ordering or aiding and abetting the following:
- Torture and inhumane crimes
- Summary executions
- Rape constituting torture
- Sexual slavery
- Forced labour
- Theft
These convictions relate to his leadership of the Rally of Congolese Democrats and Nationalists (RCD-N), a rebel movement reportedly supported by Uganda. The RCD-N is alleged to have conducted atrocities during an operation between 2002 and 2003 named "Erase the Slate." This operation reportedly targeted members of the Nande and Bambuti ethnic groups in the north-eastern provinces of Ituri and North Kivu, who were accused of supporting a rival militia. A United Nations investigation described the operation as characterized by "premeditated operations using looting, rape and summary execution as tools of warfare."
Context of the Second Congo War
The crimes occurred during the Second Congo War (1998-2003), a conflict involving nine countries and numerous rebel groups. This war resulted in an estimated two to five million deaths.
Lumbala's Background and Legal Process
Mr. Lumbala served as a minister in DR Congo's transitional government from 2003 to 2005 and later as a member of parliament. He was living in France when he was arrested nearly five years ago. Prior to his flight to France, the Congolese government had issued an arrest warrant for him concerning alleged support for the M23 rebel group, which is currently active in eastern DR Congo.
The case was prosecuted under the principle of "universal jurisdiction," which permits French courts to pursue justice for crimes against humanity committed abroad. Five non-governmental organizations, including Trial International and the Clooney Foundation for Justice, contributed to the trial by supporting survivors' testimonies and requesting expert analyses. Trial International reported that 65 survivors, witnesses, and experts testified regarding the "Erase the Slate" operation.
Reactions and Appeals
After the verdict, Trial International issued a statement from two survivors, David Karamay Kasereka and Pisco Sirikivuya Paluku, who expressed that the verdict represented "a first step toward reclaiming pieces of ourselves." Mr. Kasereka, 41, testified about the torture and killing of his father and neighbors by Lumbala's forces. Mr. Paluku, 50, recounted being robbed and injured, the killing of his uncle, and the rape of his friend's wife.
Mr. Lumbala's legal team has indicated that the sentence is excessive and has 10 days to file an appeal. Prosecutors had requested a life sentence.
Ongoing Conflict in Eastern DR Congo
Eastern DR Congo, an area rich in minerals, has experienced conflict for over 30 years since the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Previous peace agreements dating back to the 1990s have failed. Several 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 the region. Human rights organizations, including Trial International, have characterized this verdict as a significant development for accountability in the ongoing conflict.