The Ghost of Congo’s Past Rises Again
By Wasse Marlvine
Ituri Province, DRC – March 31, 2025
Just when the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) thought it had enough armed groups to deal with, a new one has emerged—led by none other than convicted war criminal Thomas Lubanga. The man once infamous for recruiting child soldiers and terrorizing eastern Congo has announced the formation of the Convention for the Popular Revolution (CPR), a rebel faction allegedly backed by external interests.
Lubanga, who spent 14 years in prison after being convicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), now claims he is fighting for “the liberation of the Congolese people.” But the question remains: liberation from whom? Or is this just another page in the long history of warlords exploiting the DRC’s chaos for personal gain?
The CPR: Another Threat to an Already Burning Region
The CPR is emerging in one of the most conflict-ridden regions of Africa. Ituri province is already a battleground, with the Congolese military struggling to contain the M23 rebels, an armed group allegedly backed by Rwanda. The addition of Lubanga’s forces to the mix raises fears of intensified clashes, further displacement of civilians, and greater instability in a region already hanging by a thread.
Lubanga’s history offers little comfort. His former militia, the Union of Congolese Patriots (UPC), was responsible for massacres, ethnic cleansing, and the mass recruitment of child soldiers.
His return signals a likely increase in similar tactics, deepening the humanitarian crisis.
Is This a Foreign-Backed Agenda?
The timing of Lubanga’s resurgence raises critical geopolitical questions. With the DRC entangled in disputes with Rwanda over M23, Uganda’s uneasy role in regional security, and international powers eyeing the country’s vast mineral wealth, Lubanga’s new rebellion may not be entirely self-funded.
If history has taught us anything, it’s that warlords in Congo don’t operate in a vacuum. The CPR’s emergence could be another example of external forces using rebel groups to control strategic regions, manipulate resources, and weaken Kinshasa’s authority.
A Cycle of Impunity: The DRC’s Weakness in Dealing with War Criminals
Lubanga’s ability to regroup and launch another armed movement highlights a disturbing reality: war criminals in the DRC are rarely neutralized. His release from ICC detention in 2020 was supposed to mark the end of his influence, but weak legal frameworks and political loopholes have allowed him to return to warlordism.
The Congolese government must act decisively, not just against Lubanga but against the entire system that enables the re-emergence of armed groups. If Kinshasa fails to respond with strength, it risks allowing another brutal conflict to unfold—one that could plunge Ituri and surrounding provinces into deeper chaos.
A Call for Regional Action
The resurgence of a convicted war criminal as a rebel leader is not just the DRC’s problem; it’s an African issue. The African Union (AU), the East African Community (EAC), and neighboring nations must recognize the broader implications. If left unchecked, Lubanga’s return could inspire other war criminals to follow suit, setting a dangerous precedent across the continent.
With multiple rebel factions already operating in the region, one more warlord may seem like just another drop in the ocean of Congo’s crisis. But if Africa continues to allow its worst criminals to reinvent themselves, the cycle of war and suffering will never end. It’s time for action—before Lubanga’s past becomes the DRC’s new reality.
