Trials for Congo Warlords by the ICC to Commence

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is expected to begin the trial of two militia leaders from the Democratic Republic of Congo. They are to be tried for war crimes and crimes against humanity where more than 200 people were massacred.

Germain Katanga and Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui have been accused for ordering attacks on Bogoro village in the mineral-rich Ituri Province in 2003. The attack resulted in about 200 being hacked to death, women raped, killed or taken as sex slaves.

Minister for information in DR Congo said that the trial will be aired live on both radio and television.

At a press conference in Holland, the ICC’s Registrar Silvana Arbia indicated that the court will be a model of fairness and respect for all rights of the defense and the victims.
The ICC chief prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo is expected to call 26 key witnesses. Although 21 witnesses will testify hidden from the public for fear of reprisal.
Others expected to testify in the trial are experts on gender issues and military crimes.
The Democratic Republic of Congo civil war came to an end When Joseph Kabila won the first multi party elections in October 2006. The war which claimed millions of lives was to gain control over the country's vast minerals[ER]