DRC: Militia leader handed over to Kinshasa authorities

By Godfrey Olukya

ARU, Democratic Republic of Congo (AA) - Rebel leader Ntabo Ntaberi Sheka, accused of crimes against humanity and mass rape in 2010 in eastern DRC, was transferred to Kinshasa on Friday and handed over to the judicial authorities, nine days after his surrender, the UN said.

Sheka, leader of the Nduma Defense Group of the Congo (NDC), had been under the supervision of the UN peacekeeeping mission MONUSCO in the eastern city of Goma where he surrendered on July 26.

Maman Sidikou, Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations in the DRC said in a statement that Sheka's surrender was "a positive sign".

"A fair and just trial would be a significant step in the fight against impunity and a victory for the victims of the abuses of armed groups who have the right to justice," Sidikou said.

According to UN, Sheka along with his NDC fighters raped almost 400 civilians, including 300 women, 23 men and 61 children in 13 villages in eastern DRC between 30 July and 2 August 2010.

In January 2011, Congolese authorities issued an arrest warrant for Sheka for crimes against humanity, including mass rape and killing at least 70 civilians.

In some cases, Sheka’s fighters reportedly mutilated the bodies of those killed and later paraded the body parts around towns, while chanting ethnic songs.

Numerous militia groups operate in eastern DRC.​