Source: SFGate
“The trial of Congolese rebel leader Roger Lumbala began Wednesday in Paris over atrocities committed two decades ago during the Second Congo War. Lumbala has been charged with ‘criminal conspiracy to prepare crimes against humanity’ and ‘complicity of crimes against humanity’ during the conflict from 1998 to 2003. Lumbala faces a possible sentence of life in prison. A verdict is expected Dec. 19 following the trial at the Paris criminal court. The 67-year-old led the Congolese Rally for National Democracy, a rebel group backed by neighboring Uganda and accused of atrocities against civilians, particularly targeting the Nande and Bambuti ethnic minorities in eastern Congo in 2002 and 2003. The group committed widespread torture, executions, rape, forced labor and sexual slavery, according to U.N. reports.” (11/12/25)