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(USGovernment-News.Com, November 21, 2012 ) DR Congo -- In the past days, the M23 rebel group allegedly led by FARDC defectors including ICC fugitive Bosco Ntaganda, has extended its armed activities in North Kivu, yesterday taking over the provincial capital, Goma. The Office of the Prosecutor is examining recent reports of threats against civilian populations and allegations of ICC crimes by members and leaders of M23, and by other parties taking advantage of the chaos in the region. The recent events risk bringing violence to a higher level.
Last July, ICC judges issued two new arrest warrants in the DRC situation, for Bosco Ntaganda and for Sylvestre Mudacumura. Both of these men have been actively involved in the years of violence and crimes which continue to plague innocent victims in Eastern DRC.
Once again, civilian populations are paying the price of political-military strategies. Civilians are sacrificed as pawns in the strategic moves of those - whether DRC-based or outside - who are supporting and financing armed groups for their own interests.
Until Bosco Ntaganda and Sylvestre Mudacumura are arrested and brought to justice, they will continue to be major drivers of instability throughout the entire Great Lakes region and one of the biggest threats for civilian populations. States and non-state actors should make arresting Bosco and Mudacumura a top priority. It is time to listen to the voices of victims in the region. Their plea is simple: they want justice now.
BACKGROUND
Sylvestre Mudacumura, as the supreme military commander of the FDLR/FOCA, is allegedly responsible for some of the worst acts of violence against the civilian population in the eastern DRC region. He is wanted by the ICC for ordering war crimes in the Kivus..
Bosco Ntaganda has been the subject of an arrest warrant since 2006, for crimes committed in Ituri in 2002/2003. Since July he is also wanted for attacking the civilian population, pillage, persecution, murder, and for the crimes of rape and sexual slavery. Bosco Ntaganda moved from Ituri to the Kivus, where he became a leader of the CNDP, and was then integrated into the Congolese national army from which he defected in April 2012. He is alleged to have continually resorted to violence and crimes as a way to secure political and economic gain and to secure his own impunity.
DISCLAIMER: Nothing in the above should be interpreted as pronouncing upon the guilt of any suspect or accused mentioned herein. The function of the Office of the Prosecutor is to investigate and prosecute alleged crimes. It is the function of the Court to confirm whether the evidence presented by the Prosecution is sufficient to confirm the charges brought and, if so, to determine the guilt or innocence of the accused following a fair trial.
Source: Office of the Prosecutor: OTPNewsDesk@icc-cpi.int
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