Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. March 14, 2012 ICC Shows Teeth for First Time with Lubanga Ruling Gabe Joselow | Nairobi Congolese warlord Thomas Lubanga sits in the courtroom of the International Criminal Court in the Hague, on August 25, 2011. Photo: AFP Congolese warlord Thomas Lubanga sits in the courtroom of the International Criminal Court in the Hague, on August 25, 2011. Rights groups have welcomed the guilty verdict for former Congolese militia leader Thomas Lubanga at the International Criminal Court, but say he should have faced more charges. Analysts also say the ruling could be a sign of things to come for other African ICC suspects. Labunga was found guilty of recruiting child soldiers -- under the age of 15 -- during the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2002 and 2003. And while the conviction could put him in prison for the rest of his life, rights groups say the prosecution left out some important charges. Lubanga's main role during the conflict was as president of the Union of Congolese Patriots (UPC), an armed political group which, backed by Ugandan forces, battled a rival ethnic group for control of the gold-rich Ituri region. Human Rights Watch said the UPC massacred civilians, executed or tortured those they captured, and burned down villages in their path. The group says at least 60,000 people were killed across Ituri in inter-ethnic fighting. In a statement, Amnesty International said it is 'disappointed' the ICC prosecutor did not pursue other crimes Labunga's forces are accused of, including sexual violence against girls and other civilians. There is also the question of what impact the verdict will have in the DRC, said Thierry Vircoulon, the Central Africa Director for International Crisis Group. 'It's a victory for the ICC, it's definitely good news," said Vircoulon. "I don't know if this will impact much on Congolese politics, but it's definitely good news for international justice.' Vircoulon pointed out that the UPC, which began as a rebel group, is a recognized political party in the DRC. Meantime, Lubanga's deputy, Bosco Ntaganda, who is also wanted by the ICC for the same crimes, continues to serve as a general in the Congolese armed forces and lives freely in the eastern city of Goma. Congolese authorities say they they have not arrested Ntaganda because he is crucial to the peace process. But Vircoulon said the ICC verdict may put some pressure on him. 'At the beginning he was very careful and kept a low profile but of course, as time goes by, he's less and less careful and more and more confident about the protection of the Congolese authorities," he said. "The ICC decision today may make him feel less confident.' The ruling Wednesday also is likely to get the attention of three Kenyan politicians and a radio show host accused before the ICC of perpetuating post-election violence in Kenya in 2007 and 2008. The suspects, known as the Ocampo Four, are preparing to face trial at the Hague after losing their appeal attempt last week. Neela Ghoshal, East Africa researcher for Human Rights Watch, said the Lubanga verdict is an encouraging sign that the international justice system works, where the country courts fall short. 'There have been only people -- two murder convictions for the post-election violence in Kenyan courts and that's in spite of the fact that there are over 1000 victims," said Ghoshal. "So I think its a sign that victims have somewhere to go that their voices can be heard and if that won't be in Kenya then that will be internationally as was the case with the Congolese.' The ICC has also put out arrest warrants for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and other members of his government for war crimes committed in Darfur. Saif al-Islam Gadhafi, son of the former Libyan leader, is also wanted by the court, as is Joseph Kony, the head of the Lord's Resistance Army, which is active in Central Africa. .