ICC Begins War Crimes Case Against Fugitive Ugandan Rebel Leader Joseph Kony
Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court present evidence against fugitive rebel leader Joseph Kony, alleging war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the Lord’s Resistance Army.
THE HAGUE: Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court (ICC) initiated a confirmation of charges hearing on Tuesday to support their allegations against fugitive Ugandan rebel leader Joseph Kony.
Kony is charged with 39 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity for his leadership of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), which terrorized northern Uganda for decades.
The LRA, led by Kony, began its attacks in Uganda in the 1980s with the aim to overthrow the government.
After being forced out of Uganda, the militia continued its violent campaign in Congo, the Central African Republic, and South Sudan.
The group was notorious for enlisting child soldiers, mutilating civilians, and enslaving women.
Deputy prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang stated that victims are still 'scarred in their body and spirit.' To support the charges, videos were shown to a panel of three judges illustrating the destruction caused by the LRA.
The court's confirmation of charges hearing is not a trial but allows prosecutors to outline their case.
Following the presentation of evidence, judges will decide whether to confirm the charges against Kony.
Kony cannot be tried unless he is in ICC custody.
Court-appointed counsel for Kony argued that the proceedings violate their client’s fair trial rights and should not have been held at all.
The defense also pointed out that without Kony's presence, the preparation of his defense was impacted.
The hearing against Kony is being seen as a test case for other cases where it may be difficult to detain suspects, such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Michael Scharf, an international law professor at Case Western Reserve University, noted that while the whereabouts of Netanyahu and Putin are known, Kony has evaded capture despite a $5 million reward.
Kony gained global attention in 2012 when a video about his crimes went viral.
Despite this exposure and international efforts to apprehend him, he remains at large.
The ICC proceedings against Kony will be closely followed by many in Uganda, where survivors welcome the charges but express regret for not having captured him.
The process has also garnered mixed reactions from victims of the LRA.
Odong Kajumba, who escaped after being captured by the LRA, expressed happiness at the prospect of finally seeing justice if Kony were to be arrested.
However, others such as former lawmaker Odonga Otto feel that trying Kony in absentia is a 'mockery' and argue that efforts should focus on capturing him first.
Another LRA commander, Dominic Ongwen, was convicted in 2020 of numerous offenses including murder, rape, forced marriage, and the recruitment of child soldiers.
Serving a 25-year sentence in Norway, Ongwen's case highlights the brutal nature of Kony’s leadership.
Kony is charged with 39 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity for his leadership of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), which terrorized northern Uganda for decades.
The LRA, led by Kony, began its attacks in Uganda in the 1980s with the aim to overthrow the government.
After being forced out of Uganda, the militia continued its violent campaign in Congo, the Central African Republic, and South Sudan.
The group was notorious for enlisting child soldiers, mutilating civilians, and enslaving women.
Deputy prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang stated that victims are still 'scarred in their body and spirit.' To support the charges, videos were shown to a panel of three judges illustrating the destruction caused by the LRA.
The court's confirmation of charges hearing is not a trial but allows prosecutors to outline their case.
Following the presentation of evidence, judges will decide whether to confirm the charges against Kony.
Kony cannot be tried unless he is in ICC custody.
Court-appointed counsel for Kony argued that the proceedings violate their client’s fair trial rights and should not have been held at all.
The defense also pointed out that without Kony's presence, the preparation of his defense was impacted.
The hearing against Kony is being seen as a test case for other cases where it may be difficult to detain suspects, such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Michael Scharf, an international law professor at Case Western Reserve University, noted that while the whereabouts of Netanyahu and Putin are known, Kony has evaded capture despite a $5 million reward.
Kony gained global attention in 2012 when a video about his crimes went viral.
Despite this exposure and international efforts to apprehend him, he remains at large.
The ICC proceedings against Kony will be closely followed by many in Uganda, where survivors welcome the charges but express regret for not having captured him.
The process has also garnered mixed reactions from victims of the LRA.
Odong Kajumba, who escaped after being captured by the LRA, expressed happiness at the prospect of finally seeing justice if Kony were to be arrested.
However, others such as former lawmaker Odonga Otto feel that trying Kony in absentia is a 'mockery' and argue that efforts should focus on capturing him first.
Another LRA commander, Dominic Ongwen, was convicted in 2020 of numerous offenses including murder, rape, forced marriage, and the recruitment of child soldiers.
Serving a 25-year sentence in Norway, Ongwen's case highlights the brutal nature of Kony’s leadership.
