Thomas Lubanga

Thomas Lubanga Dyilo (born 29 December 1960 in Djiba, Ituri^[1]) is a former rebel leader from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). He founded and led the Union of Congolese Patriots (UPC) and was a key player in the Ituri conflict. Rebels under his command have been accused of massive human rights violations, including ethnic massacres, murder, torture, rape, mutilation, and forcibly conscripting child soldiers.^[1][2][3]

On 17 March 2006, Lubanga became the first person ever arrested under a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court.^[4] His trial, for the war crime of "conscripting and enlisting children under the age of fifteen years and using them to participate actively in hostilities",^[5] began on 26 January 2009