French Court Sentences Ex-DR Congo Rebel Leader to 30 Years for Crimes Against Humanity
A French court in Paris 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 over two decades ago. Mr. Lumbala, who was arrested in France nearly five years ago, did not accept the legitimacy of the court and was present in the dock to hear the verdict.
Charges and Conviction
The court found Mr. Lumbala guilty of ordering or aiding and abetting torture, inhumane crimes, summary executions, rape constituting torture, sexual slavery, forced labor, and theft. Prosecutors had sought a life sentence. Lumbala's legal team has stated they intend to appeal the sentence within 10 days, calling it excessive.
Background of Roger Lumbala and the RCD-N
Roger Lumbala led the Rally of Congolese Democrats and Nationalists (RCD-N), a rebel movement supported by Uganda. This group was accused of committing atrocities during the Second Congo War, which took place from 1998 to 2003. The conflict involved nine countries and numerous rebel factions, leading to an estimated two to five million deaths.
The RCD-N allegedly conducted an operation known as "Erase the Slate" between 2002 and 2003. This operation reportedly targeted members of the Nande and Bambuti ethnic groups in the northeastern 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."
Following the war, Lumbala served as a minister in DR Congo's transitional government from 2003 to 2005 and later as a member of parliament. An arrest warrant was issued for him by the Congolese government for alleged support of the M23 rebel group, prompting his flight to France.
Universal Jurisdiction and Survivor Testimony
Lumbala's case was prosecuted in France under the principle of "universal jurisdiction." This legal principle permits French courts to pursue justice for crimes against humanity committed in other countries.
Five non-governmental organizations, including Trial International and the Clooney Foundation for Justice, collaborated in the trial. They provided support to survivors who testified and requested expert analyses. Trial International reported that 65 survivors, witnesses, and experts presented testimony regarding the "Erase the Slate" operation.
Survivors David Karamay Kasereka and Pisco Sirikivuya Paluku issued a statement after the verdict, acknowledging it as a "first step toward reclaiming pieces of ourselves." Mr. Kasereka, 41, testified about the torture and killing of his father and neighbors. Mr. Paluku, 50, described being robbed and injured, the killing of his uncle, and the rape of a friend's wife.
Broader Context of 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. Multiple peace agreements dating back to the 1990s have failed.
Human rights organizations have welcomed the verdict as a significant development for accountability in the ongoing conflict. Daniele Perissi of Trial International stated that the verdict is "historic," representing the first time a national court has addressed atrocities of the Second Congo War and demonstrated that justice is achievable after decades of impunity. Previous militia leaders, such as Thomas Lubanga, Germain Katanga, and Bosco Ntaganda, have been tried and convicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for abuses in eastern DR Congo.