The International Criminal Court (ICC) has levied 36 charges against Joseph Kony, the elusive leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebel group. The charges, issued by Prosecutor Karim Khan, encompass a range of war crimes, including directing attacks against the civilian population, murder, torture, enslavement, pillaging, forced marriage, rape, conscripting children, and more. If confirmed by Judges Rosario Salvatore Aitala, Tomoko Akane, and Sergio Gerardo Godinez, this will be the first trial at the court to proceed in absentia of the suspect.
Khan, in a statement released on January 19, 2024, described Kony’s agenda as aiming to destabilize and overthrow the Ugandan government through armed rebellion. The LRA, under Kony’s leadership, systematically targeted civilians, including those in internally displaced persons camps (IDP Camps). Khan emphasized that Kony, holding ultimate power over all LRA members, orchestrated the charged crimes, showcasing an organized and hierarchical structure of power within the rebel group.
Joseph Kony has been at large, reportedly hiding in the Central African Republic jungles. The U.S. government, in 2021, offered a $5 million bounty for information leading to his capture. The 36 charges against Kony, as the rebel outfit’s leader, raise questions as they appear fewer than the 70 charges faced by Dominic Ongwen, who was subordinate to Kony.
In the event of confirmation by the judges, Paolina Massida and Sarah Pellet will represent the office of public counsel for victims, while Xavier-Jean Keita is set to represent the office of public counsel for the defence. As of the press time, the counsel for the defence had not been appointed. The office of the prosecutor is represented by Karim Khan, Mame Mandiaye Niang, and Leoni Von Braun.
| Event | Location |
|---|---|
| ICC Charges Announcement | Not specified |
| Judges’ Confirmation Hearing | Presiding Judge Rosario Salvatore Aitala, Judge Tomoko Akane, and Judge Sergio Gerardo Godinez |
