The International Criminal Court is considering the punishment for a Congolese warlord convicted of using child soldiers.

ICC judges in The Hague began a sentencing hearing on Wednesday for Thomas Lubanga.

The court's top prosecutor, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, has said he will seek “close to the maximum,” which ranges from 30 years to life.

The ICC convicted Lubanga in March, marking the court's first verdict since it was established a decade ago.

The panel unanimously found that Lubanga recruited children under 15-years-old to fight for the armed wing of his group, the Union of Congolese Patriots.

The militia group fought during the Democratic Republic of Congo's civil war in 2002 and 2003.

His conviction has drawn international praise from rights group and governments.