The Trial of Bosco Ntaganda at the ICC

On September 2, 2015, the trial of Bosco Ntaganda is set to begin at the ICC in The Hague. The former rebel militia commander is charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the conflict in Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 2002 and 2003. This paper summarizes the historical and legal background to the trial.

Ntaganda is charged with the war crimes of murder and attempted murder, attacking civilians, rape, sexual slavery of civilians, pillaging, displacement of civilians, attacking protected objects, destroying the enemy’s property, rape and sexual slavery of child soldiers, and enlisting and conscripting child soldiers under the age of 15 years and using them to participate actively in hostilities. Ntaganda is also charged with the crimes against humanity of murder and attempted murder, rape, sexual slavery, persecution, and forcible transfer of population.