00:00A French court has derived a landmark verdict in the fight against impunity for war crimes committed during the Democratic Republic of Congo's conflicts,
00:08sentencing former rebel leader Roger Lumumba to 30 years in prison.
00:13Lumumba, a former Congolese minister and head of the Rally for Congolese Democracy National Rebel Group,
00:20was found guilty of complicity in crimes against humanity committed during a 2002-2003 military operation in eastern Congo.
00:30Prosecutors said its forces were responsible for widespread atrocities, including killings, torture, rape, forced labor.
00:37The trial was conducted under France's universal jurisdiction laws,
00:41allowing national courts to prosecute serious international crimes committed abroad.
00:46Human rights advocates say the ruling marks a major step towards accountability for abuses committed during Congo's deadly conflicts.
00:54More than 60 victims and witnesses testified many describing years of suffering endured by communities targeted during the operation.
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