Congolese warlord sentenced to 14 years for using child soldiers

The International Criminal Court today Tuesday July 10th sentenced Congolese warlord Thomas Lubanga, 51, to 14 years in prison for using child soldiers in his rebel army in 2002-03.


The founder of the Union of Congolese Patriots (UPC) and commander of its military wing the Patriotic Forces for the Liberation of Congo (FPLC), was found guilty of abducting children as young as 11; forcing the boys to fight and commit atrocities and turning the young girls into sex-slaves.


Having spent the last 6 years in prison, Lubanga is expected to serve only 8 out of the 14 year prison sentence.