Thomas Lubanga Dyilo

Congolese militia leader

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July 17, 2026

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The International Criminal Court's (ICC) first case involved Thomas Lubanga Dyilo, a Congolese militia leader. He was accused of recruiting child soldiers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Lubanga was found guilty in March 2012 and subsequently sentenced to 14 years in prison. The ICC is a permanent international court established to investigate and prosecute individuals for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of aggression.1

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International Criminal Court
Key cases
…charges should be brought against Thomas Lubanga, who was accused of recruiting child soldiers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Lubanga’s trial, the first conducted by the ICC, began in January 2009, and in March 2012 the court found him guilty and later imposed a 14-year prison sentence.
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…charges should be brought against Thomas Lubanga, who was accused of recruiting child soldiers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Lubanga’s trial, the first conducted by the ICC, began in January 2009, and in March 2012 the court found him guilty and later imposed a 14-year prison sentence.
Read More