Human Rights Watch has called on the Democratic Republic of Congo to arrest former rebel leader Bosco Ntaganda. The appeal comes on the eve of a trial against two other DRC rebel leaders, Germain Katanga and Mathieu Ngudjolo, who will appear at hearings of the International Criminal Court in The Hague on 24 November.

The two are accused of involvement in the killing of some 200 residents of the village of Bogoro in February 2003.

Human Rights Watch says Ntaganda is still free even though the ICC asked for his extradition in April 2008. He has been accused of enlisting child soldiers in 2002 and 2003. However, the DRC refuses to arrest him since he holds a high position in the army. He was awarded the position in exchange for his decision to join the army of the DRC together with rest of his rebel group.

Temporary ICC headquarters
Photo by Wikimedia Commons