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{{Short description|Congolese politician}}
{{use dmy dates|date=June 2016}}
{{Family name hatnote|Bemba|Gombo|lang=Congolese}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Jean-Pierre Bemba
| image = The Vice President of Democratic Republic of Congo, Mr. Jean
| image_size = 250px
| alt = Bemba in
| caption = Bemba in
| office =
| term_start =
| term_end =
| predecessor =
| successor =
| president = [[Félix Tshisekedi]]
| primeminister = [[
| office1 = Deputy Prime Minister<br />Minister of Defense
|
| term_end1 = 12 June 2024
|
| successor1 = [[Guy Kabombo Muadiamvita]]
|
| primeminister1 = [[Sama Lukonde]]
| birth_name = Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1962|11|04|df=y}}
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| father = [[Jeannot Bemba Saolona]]
| alma_mater = [[ICHEC Brussels Management School]]
| occupation = Politician
}}
'''Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo''' (born 4 November
In 2008, during a trip to Europe, Bemba was arrested on [[International Criminal Court
==Background==
Bemba was born in Bokada, [[Nord-Ubangi]].<ref name=warrant/> His father, [[Jeannot Bemba Saolona]], was a businessman who was successful under [[Zaire|Zairian]] President [[Mobutu Sese Seko]]
Bemba attended boarding school in [[Brussels]] and later studied economics at the [[ICHEC Brussels Management School]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Stearns, Jason K. |title=Dancing in the glory of monsters: the collapse of the Congo and the great war of Africa|date=2011|publisher=PublicAffairs|isbn=978-1-58648-929-8|edition=1st |location=New York|oclc=657595549}}</ref>
==MLC
The MLC movement started in the [[Orientale Province]] of the DRC in 1998 at the beginning of the [[Second Congo War]]. Said Bemba of its founding: "I had identified the possibility of launching an armed movement. So I went looking for serious partners. There were two countries in the region that were interested but I chose to present my dossier to the [[Uganda]]ns. They liked it and so I went in."<ref>Emizet
==Involvement in the Central African Republic==
In 2002, President [[Ange-Félix Patassé]] of the [[Central African Republic]] invited the MLC to come to his country and put down a [[2002 Central African Republic coup attempt|coup attempt]]. Human rights activists accused MLC fighters of committing atrocities against civilians in the course of this conflict.
==
In 2003, Bemba became one of four vice-presidents during the interim government that lasted from 2003-2006.<ref>Amnesty International, [https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2018/06/car-acquittal-of-bemba-a-blow-to-victims/ "CAR: Acquittal of Bemba a blow to victims"], Amnesty International, June 2018.</ref>
==2006 Presidential election==
[[File:The External Affairs Minister, Shri K. Natwar Singh meeting with the Vice President of Democratic Republic of Congo, Mr. Jean Pierre Bemba in New Delhi on March 3, 2005.jpg|thumb|
Bemba was one of 33 candidates who ran in the Congolese [[2006 Democratic Republic of the Congo general election|presidential election]] on 30 July, 2006. His main campaign slogan — "One Hundred Percent Congolese" — was widely perceived as an attack on front-runner President [[Joseph Kabila]].<ref name="WP">[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/15/AR2006081500718.html "Vote Count Continues in Congo Election"], ''[[Washington Post]]'', 15 August 2006.</ref>
Bemba received substantial support in the western, [[Lingala language|Lingala]]-speaking portion of the country, including the capital, [[Kinshasa]].<ref name="Alliances">[http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=55218&SelectRegion=Great_Lakes&SelectCountry=DRC "Frontrunners need alliances for 2nd round of presidential polls"], IRIN, 22 August 2006.</ref> Following the vote there was significant tension as to whether Kabila would win a majority of the vote, avoiding a runoff against Bemba, who was perceived as Kabila's main opponent.<ref>[http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=55173&SelectRegion=Great_Lakes "Tension ahead of election results"], IRIN, 18 August 2006.</ref> However, results announced on 20 August gave Kabila 44% of the vote and Bemba 20%,<ref name="Alliances"/>
On 21 August
Kabila and Bemba faced each other in a second round, held on 29 October. The electoral commission announced the official results on 15 November, naming Kabila the winner with 58.05% of the vote; Bemba's supporters alleged fraud.<ref>BBC News (2006-11-15). "Kabila named DR Congo poll winner". BBC News, 15 November 2006. Retrieved from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6151598.stm.</ref>
On 27 November
[[File:The Vice President of Democratic Republic of Congo, Mr. Jean Pierre Bemba calls on the Vice President Shri Bhairon Singh Shekhawat in New Delhi on March 3, 2005.jpg|thumb|
==March 2007 violence==
A further attempt on Bemba's life in March 2007 led to an outbreak of fighting near Bemba's residence.<ref>[http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=136&art_id=nw20070322153441459C201618 "Sustained gunfire reported in Congo's capital"], Associated Press (''IOL''), 22 March 2007.</ref> A number of soldiers and civilians were reported killed. Bemba called for a ceasefire and negotiations and took refuge in the [[South Africa]]n embassy.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6482997.stm "DR Congo rebel chief seeks refuge"], BBC News, 23 March 2007.</ref> As fighting continued on 23 March, it was announced that a warrant for Bemba's arrest had been issued, accusing him of high treason.<ref>[http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php "Bemba: Wanted for high treason"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060720023325/http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php |date=20 July 2006 }}, Reuters (''IOL''), 23 March 2007.</ref><ref name=Fox>[
On 26 March, Kabila said that security could not be guaranteed through negotiation and referred to the importance of restoring order. Bemba warned of a potential for dictatorship and foreshadowed his retreat into exile, citing security concerns.<ref>[http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=68&art_id=nw20070326220308692C333630 "Kabila defends use of force as clashes go on"], AFP (''IOL''), 26 March 2007.</ref>
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Following the outbreak of violence in March, Bemba's party, the MLC, said that it was being targeted by the government through arrests and intimidation, and that its headquarters was occupied by government forces.<ref>[http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=136&art_id=nw20070408221612455C553348 "DRC opposition party hits out at government"], AFP (''IOL''), 9 April 2007.</ref> On 13 April, the party suspended its participation in the [[National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of the Congo|National Assembly]] due to this intimidation and insecurity.<ref>[http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=136&art_id=nw20070414150316673C333192 "Bemba's party concerned about security"], Reuters (''IOL''), 14 April 2007.</ref>
In the first half of June, it was reported that, despite the expiration of the 60 days prescribed by the Senate, Bemba would not return to the DRC due to safety concerns.<ref>John James, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6738427.stm "DR Congo's Bemba to stay abroad"], BBC News, 10 June 2007.</ref> According to MLC executive secretary
On 13 July, Bemba met with [[Louis Michel]], the [[European Commissioner for Development & Humanitarian Aid]]. According to Michel, Bemba "intends to give the presidential majority the benefit of the doubt" and would not do or say anything "that could be taken as an attempt at destabilisation".<ref>[http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=136&art_id=nw20070714103826183C663305 "Bemba wants to return to DRC"], AFP (''IOL''), 14 July 2007.</ref> He did not return by the deadline on 31 July, with a spokesman citing continued security concerns; the Senate was then in recess until 15 September,<ref>Lubunga Bya'Ombe, [http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=68&art_id=nw20070731214612156C163557 "Bemba not ready to return to DRC"], Reuters (''IOL''), 1 August 2007.</ref> and Senate President [[Kengo wa Dondo]] said that Bemba would not be penalized for being away during this period because the Senate was not in session.<ref>[http://apanews.net/apa.php?page=show_article_eng&id_article=38469 "DR Congo: Bemba’s sick leave expires abroad, but no penalty as senator"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080529054823/http://apanews.net/apa.php?page=show_article_eng&id_article=38469 |date=29 May 2008 }}, African Press Agency, 1 August 2007.</ref> In a statement published on 1 August, Bemba said that he wanted to return before 15 September.<ref>[http://www.jeuneafrique.com/fluxafp/fil_info.asp?reg_id=0&art_cle=38406 "Jean-Pierre Bemba souhaite revenir en RDC avant le 15 septembre"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930183718/http://www.jeuneafrique.com/fluxafp/fil_info.asp?reg_id=0&art_cle=38406 |date=30 September 2007 }}, AFP (''[[Jeune Afrique|Jeuneafrique.com]]''), 1 August 2007 {{in lang|fr}}.</ref>
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==Arrest and trial==
On 24 May
The trial of Bemba began on 22 November 2010<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201011191101.html|title=Central Africa: The Trial of Jean-Pierre Bemba|date=19 November 2010|via=AllAfrica}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://networkedblogs.com/aSU4Z|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303034337/http://networkedblogs.com/aSU4Z|url-status=usurped|archive-date=3 March 2012|title=War crimes trial of Congolese militia leader begins at International Criminal Court}}</ref> and lasted four years. The prosecutor was [[Fatou Bensouda]]. Two more years passed before the verdict was given.<ref name=conviction/>
On 21 March
On 21 June
===Appeal===
On 28 September
The court ruled that because the Rome Statute which sets the court's rules does not limit the amount of time a person can spend in prison awaiting trial, Bemba was not entitled to compensation. It called on member states to review urgently the relevant provisions in the statute<ref name="auto"/> No such review [[Amendments_to_the_Rome_Statute_of_the_International_Criminal_Court|has yet taken place]].
▲On 28 September, 2016, Bemba served the ICC appeals chamber with an appeal against his 18-year conviction citing numerous procedural and legal errors in the judgment, and alleging a mistrial.<ref name="ijmonitor.org">{{cite web|url=https://www.ijmonitor.org/2016/10/bemba-lays-out-grounds-for-appeal-against-icc-conviction/|title=Bemba Lays Out Grounds for Appeal Against ICC Conviction|website=www.ijmonitor.org|access-date=8 June 2018|date=7 October 2016}}</ref><ref name="icc-cpi.int">{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cpi.int/Pages/record.aspx?docNo=ICC-01/05-01/08-3434-Red|title=Public Redacted Version of Appellant's document in support of the appeal|access-date=8 June 2018}}</ref> The appeal centered on whether Bemba had a fair trial, with concerns about the need for greater specificity in criminal charges.<ref name=":0" /> The conviction was overturned on 8 June, 2018<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/jun/08/former-congo-leader-jean-pierre-bemba-wins-war-crimes-appeal-international-criminal-court|title=Jean-Pierre Bemba's war crimes conviction overturned|last=Bowcott|first=Owen|date=2018-06-08|website=the Guardian|access-date=2018-06-11}}</ref> by Judge [[Christine Van den Wyngaert]]. She said he cannot be held responsible for the actions of his men, and that the lower court "ignored significant testimonial evidence that Bemba's ability to investigate and punish crimes in the CAR was limited".<ref name=BBC>{{cite web|publisher=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-44418154 |title=Jean-Pierre Bemba: Congo warlord's conviction overturned |date=8 June 2018}}</ref> The court ruled that because the Rome Statute which sets the court's rules do not limit the amount of time a person can spend in prison awaiting trial, Bemba was not entitled to compensation. It called on member states to review urgently the relevant provisions in the statute<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-warcrimes-congo-bemba-idUKKBN22U2L4 | title=International Criminal Court rejects Ex-Congolese VP's damages claim | newspaper=Reuters | date=18 May 2020 }}</ref> No such review [[Amendments_to_the_Rome_Statute_of_the_International_Criminal_Court|has yet taken place]].
On 4 May
==2018 to present==
On 1 August
==See also==
* ''[[Effacer le tableau]]''
== Notes and references ==
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[[Category:People acquitted by the International Criminal Court]]
[[Category:21st-century Democratic Republic of the Congo people]]
[[Category:Minister of Defence of the Democratic Republic of the Congo]]
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