A French court has sentenced a former rebel leader and politician from the Democratic Republic of Congo to 30 years in jail after finding him guilty of complicity in crimes against humanity more than two decades ago.
Roger Lumbala headed a rebel movement backed by neighbouring Uganda accused of committing atrocities during a period known as the Second Congo War.
The judge stated that the 67-year-old was found guilty of ordering or aiding torture and inhumane crimes, summary executions, rape constituting torture, sexual slavery, forced labour, and theft.
Lumbala, who was living in France when he was arrested almost five years ago, has refused to accept the legitimacy of the court in Paris.
He did not attend the trial, which began last month, although he was present to hear the verdict on Monday.
Lumbala previously 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 over his alleged support for the M23, a rebel group currently active in eastern DR Congo, which led him to flee to France.
The Second Congo War (1998-2003) was complex, involving nine countries and numerous rebel groups and resulted in an estimated death toll between two and five million people.
During the period Lumbala led the Rally of Congolese Democrats and Nationalists (RCD-N), the group allegedly committed extensive atrocities during the Erase the Slate campaign targeting certain ethnic groups in northeast Congo. A UN investigation described the operation as characterized by premeditated actions involving looting, rape, and summary executions.
Utilizing the principle of universal jurisdiction, French courts prosecuted Lumbala for these crimes committed abroad. Five NGOs, including Trial International and the Clooney Foundation for Justice, supported the trial, with 65 survivors and experts testifying.
After the verdict, two survivors expressed hope that this would be a step toward reclaiming their lost dignity and accountability for similar violations in the future.
Lumbala’s legal team plans to appeal the sentence, which many consider excessive, while prosecutors had sought a life sentence. This verdict has been hailed as a landmark for justice in the long-standing conflicts of eastern DR Congo.
