Former Vice-President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Jean –Pierre Bemba, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison by the ICC (International Criminal Court). Bemba was convicted on counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, related to the conflict in the Central African Republic (CAR) between 2002 and 2003. Although the former VP was not physically in Congo at the time of war in Congo over a decade ago, he was found guilty of being responsible for the atrocities committed during the conflict. He allegedly mobilised a troop and sent them off to CAR in order to assist the president at the time – Ange-Félix Patassé.

In order to hold on to power, like many other sit-tight African leaders, Patassé solicited help from Bemba, who is the founder and commander of the Movement for the Liberation of the Congo (MLC) militia. During their five-month stay in the troubled CAR, the army, which reportedly consisted of 1,500 soldiers were involved in widespread murder, looting and rape. In a peculiar occurrence, three generations of the same family were gang-raped by MLC soldiers, while their relatives were forced to watch.

According to Sylvia Steiner, the presiding judge in the case, Bemba’s “knowledge of the crimes was unquestionable.”  She implied that the warlord did not leave his army without guidance, rather, he “encouraged attacks on civilians” on purpose. Bemba’s trial, which is the third trial ever held at the ICC, started in 2010 after a warrant for his arrest was issued two years before.

For the victims of the MLC’s crimes and human rights organisations, Bemba’s sentence is satisfactory. It is regarded as an essential verdict as the conviction marked the first time the ICC recognises rape as a weapon of war and hold leaders responsible for the misconducts of their aides.

The ICC has made great efforts in ensuring that leaders who have been involved in human rights violations are brought to justice. With the conviction of Thomas Dyilo, Germain Katanga and most recently, Jean-Pierre Bemba, they have proven to be the saviours of the common African man. Without the establishment of the ICC, the cry for justice by many Africans would have been drowned out by the corrupt rule of law in many African countries. However, while Africans may rejoice that the seemingly untouchable past presidents are being served in the court of law, not all current leaders are pleased.

Some African leaders have threatened to quit the ICC, alleging that the court is biased against Africans. Yoweri Museveni, after the swearing-in ceremony of his fifth term in office, proclaimed that the ICC consists of a “bunch of useless” people.  He also openly welcomed Omar al-Bashir, who has been charged by the court for alleged atrocities in Sudan. If more African leaders flagrantly disregard the International Court and all it stands for by eventually pulling out, Africa’s hope for justice may be lost.

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