Ofure Akhigbe
Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) have confirmed war crimes and crimes against humanity charges against Joseph Kony, the fugitive Ugandan rebel leader accused of leading a brutal campaign of violence across Central Africa. The decision paves the way for a trial — though only if Joseph Kony is captured.
In a ruling announced on Thursday, a three-judge panel said there were “substantial grounds” to believe Joseph Kony is responsible for 29 counts of atrocities, including murder, rape and sexual enslavement, committed while he led the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) — the militia that terrorized northern Uganda and later parts of Central Africa.
Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang said the LRA’s campaign under Joseph Kony left deep scars on communities, noting that “the social and cultural fabric of Northern Uganda has been torn apart and it is still struggling to rebuild itself.”
The hearing, which marked the first time the ICC held proceedings in absentia, is considered a landmark step for the court as it seeks ways to advance cases against suspects who remain at large.
Joseph Kony, who rose to global notoriety in 2012 after a viral online campaign highlighted his crimes, has evaded capture for decades despite extensive international efforts. His court-appointed lawyers argued that holding the hearing without him violated his right to a fair trial, saying the “empty chair” in the courtroom hindered their ability to mount a defense.
The LRA insurgency, which Joseph Kony began in the 1980s, spread violence from Uganda into the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and the Central African Republic, becoming infamous for abducting children, mutilating civilians and enslaving women.
The ICC’s confirmation of charges marks a significant milestone in the long pursuit of justice for victims of the LRA, as the court continues to press for the arrest of Joseph Kony, one of the world’s most wanted war criminals.