The International Criminal Court has convicted a notorious Congolese rebel commander known as "The Terminator" of crimes against humanity and war crimes including murder, rape, sexual slavery and conscripting child soldiers.

Key points: Bosco Ntaganda became a symbol of impunity in Africa before turning himself in

Bosco Ntaganda became a symbol of impunity in Africa before turning himself in He was found guilty in a string of murders, rapes of men and women, and a massacre in a banana field

He was found guilty in a string of murders, rapes of men and women, and a massacre in a banana field He maintained his innocence and refuted his reputation as a ruthless military leader

Former military leader Bosco Ntaganda, 45, was convicted on 18 counts for atrocities committed in a bloody ethnic conflict in the mineral-rich region of Democratic Republic of Congo in 2002 and 2003, when he was a leader of the Union of Congolese Patriots (UPC) militia.

Ntaganda, who maintained his innocence during his trial, faces a maximum life sentence following his convictions on Monday at the global court.

He showed no emotion as presiding judge Robert Fremr passed judgment.

His sentence will be determined at a later hearing. He has 30 days to appeal.

Ntaganda was first indicted in 2006 and became a symbol of impunity in Africa, even serving as a general in Congo's army before turning himself in in 2013 as his power base crumbled.

Judge Fremr said that Ntaganda was guilty as a direct perpetrator or a co-perpetrator of a string of crimes including murders, rapes of men and women, a massacre in a banana field behind a building called The Paradiso and of enlisting and using child soldiers.

The ICC judge found Ntaganda guilty of enlisting and using child soldiers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2002 and 2003. ( Reuters: Antony Njuguna )

Judge Fremr said 102 witnesses testified at Ntaganda's trial, including a woman who survived having her throat slit by Ntaganda's forces.

Judge Fremr said Ntaganda himself shot and killed an elderly man serving as a Catholic priest.

During his trial, Ntaganda testified for weeks in his own defence, saying he wanted to put the record straight about his reputation as a ruthless military leader.

Congolese warlord Thomas Lubanga was sentenced to 14 years in prison. ( Reuters: Michael Kooren )

He was the deputy chief of staff and commander of operations for rebel UPC militia.

The force's leader, Thomas Lubanga, was convicted by the ICC in 2012 of using child soldiers. He is serving a 14-year prison sentence.

Monday's convictions were a victory for ICC prosecutors after high-profile defeats recently.

In January, judges acquitted former Ivory Coast president Laurent Gbagbo and a former government minister of involvement in crimes following disputed 2010 elections.

Last year, former Congolese vice-president Jean-Pierre Bemba was acquitted on appeal of crimes allegedly committed by his militia in neighbouring Central African Republic.

Set up in 2002, the court has convicted only four people of war crimes and five more for interfering with witnesses.

AP/Reuters