Martin Kobler, MONUSCO Chief, welcomes ICC decision on Congolese warlord

7 Mar 2014

Martin Kobler, MONUSCO Chief, welcomes ICC decision on Congolese warlord


Kinshasa, 7 March 2014
: Martin Kobler, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General in the DRC, expressed his strong appreciation following the verdict rendered earlier today by the International Criminal Court which found former militia leader Germain Katanga guilty as an accessory to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

“Let this be yet another warning to armed groups to immediately cease attacks against civilians and lay down their arms,” stressed Martin Kobler, noting that MONUSCO fully supports the efforts of the ICC and the Congolese justice system to fight impunity through arresting and bringing to justice such criminals.

Katanga was found guilty as an accessory of the crimes against humanity of murder, attacking a civilian population, destruction of property, and pillaging, as well as murder a war crime.

“Combatting impunity is fundamental to stabilizing the DRC and establishing a durable peace,” concluded the MONUSCO Chief.