Central African Republic: Bemba Had 'Elementary' Military Knowledge but Troops Were Well-Trained

Jean-Pierre Bemba did not have the ability to single-handedly command his private militia, the International Criminal Court (ICC) heard today. According to a new witness, who testified under a pseudonym, the former vice president of Congo had an "elementary" military background that made it impossible for him to individually make major decisions related to military operations.

"The planning of operations was not done by an individual. It was done by the general staff, an organ which has a leader - the chief of general staff. It was team work," said 'Witness D04-21.' Testifying in relation to the group's operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo, he stated that it was the chief of general staff who communicated orders to battalion commanders on the ground.

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