A MOBILE MILITARY COURT FOCUSING ON GENDER-BASED CRIMES ISSUED A GROUND BREAKING JUDGMENT TO END IMPUNITY IN THE EASTERN REGION OF THE DRC FOR MAS RAPES. THE COURT SENTENCED THE HIGHEST RANKING OFFICER TO DATE OF RAPE AND TERRORISM AS CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY FOR THE ATTACK ON THE VILLAGE OF FIZI ON NEW YEAR'S DAY.

Case: Auditeur Militaire, Ministere Public et parties civile [vs. Lt. Col. KIBIBI Mutuare and 10 others]
Date: February 21, 2011
Judge: Freddy Mukendi, President

In a groundbreaking case a mobile military court held in Bukavu, in the eastern DRC found, Lieutenant Colonel Mutuare Daniel Kibibi and nine others responsible for rape and terrorism as crimes against humanity for the mass rape of over 50 women and girls. The Court sentenced the Lt. Col. To 20 years imprisonment for ordering his troops to attack the village of Fizi on New Year’s Day.

Five lower level soldiers were found guilty of rape and inhumane acts and sentenced to either 10 or 15 years imprisonment. When the judgment came down on February 21, 2011, the Lieutenant Colonel was the highest ranking military officer to be convicted of serious crimes in the DRC.