Sanday Chongo Kabange, AfricaNews reporter in Lusaka, Zambia
The International Criminal Court has ruled that a trial of an alleged Congolese warlord should resume again after a three-month suspension. The decision clears the way for the renewal of Thomas Lubanga's trial on charges of using child soldiers in a brutal conflict in eastern Congo in 2002-2003.
Friday’s ruling overturned a judge's order to halt the tribunal's first trial and release Lubanga, after Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo had refused to disclose the identity of an intermediary used by investigators to work with witnesses.
While reversing the lower court's decision to end the trial, President Sang-hyun Song also rebuked Moreno Ocampo for flouting court orders.
Song said no court can function if the prosecutor can pick and choose which court instructions he obeys.
Earlier on Friday, it was reported that the International Criminal Court was expected to announce whether it will halt the court's first trial and release the defendant, an alleged Congolese warlord.
Aborting the case against Thomas Lubanga, who is charged with using child soldiers in a brutal conflict in eastern Congo in 2002-2003, would have had a serious blow to prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo.
The judges criticized Moreno Ocampo's refusal earlier this year to disclose to Lubanga's lawyers the identity of an intermediary used by investigators to work with witnesses.
In July, they halted the case and ordered Lubanga freed.
