On the second day of his appearance, Thomas Lubanga Dyilo’s personal secretary testified that using children in military actions was against Mr. Lubanga’s values. He simply never would have done it. Michel Angayika Baba said he was nearly continually with Mr. Lubanga from September 2002 until May 2003 and never saw any minors in Mr. Lubanga’s bodyguard or among his entourage.
Mr. Lubang is on trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC), charged with the war crimes of recruitment, conscription and use of child soldiers in 2002 and 2003 in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In response to questions by defense counsel, Mr. Baba stated that he and Mr. Lubanga noticed the presence of children among forces of the Party for Unity and Safeguarding of the Integrity of Congo (PUSIC), commanded by Chief Kahwa at a rally following the FPLC’s retaking Bunia from the Ugandan People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) in May 2003. They were dressed partly in military uniforms and carried weapons. He explained that the children were armed by the UPDF for self-defense when it fled the territory. At that time, PUSIC was working with the UPDF, but soon joined the Patriotic Force for the Liberation of Congo (FPLC), the military arm of Mr. Lubanga’s organization…
