Congo is “the rape capital of the world,” according to Margot Wallstrom, the UN's Special Representative for Sexual Violence in Conflict. Speaking to New Europe last September she had a sharp message for the warlords and bandits that were preying on civilians in Eastern Congo, “This time we'll get you. We do not accept this.”
She has delivered on her promise. In the highest profile case of its kind, in a nation where thousands of women are raped each yesr, the military court in Baraka, Eastern Congo, sentenced Lt. Col. Kibibi Mutware to 20 years in jail. He was found guilty of crimes against humanity for sending his troops to rape, beat and loot from the population of Fizi on New Year's Day. Kebibi is the highest ranking Congolese army officer to have been convicted of crimes against humanity. Judges also sentenced three officers serving under the commander to 20 years and five soldiers to between 10 and 15 years.
The verdicts were cheered by a large crowd outside the court.
Wallstrom welcomed the convictions, saying, “The sentences send a strong signal to all perpetrators in the DRC and beyond that conflict-related sexual violence is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. It also shows that accountability for sexual violence is possible.”
She continued, “I see this trial as a principally important step in the continued fight against impunity for this type of crimes. It is now imperative that the remaining perpetrators are found and brought to justice, for the Fizi incident as well as last year's Walikale atrocities. It is equally important that the victims of and witnesses to instances of sexual violence are protected, as well as their families.”
