In a significant ruling, judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague decided on Monday to proceed with a hearing on charges against fugitive Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony, slated for October 15, even in his absence. Kony, notorious as the leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), has eluded capture since an arrest warrant was issued against him in 2005. The ICC prosecutors aim to indict Kony on 36 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, encompassing grave offenses such as murder, rape, the recruitment of child soldiers, sexual slavery, forced marriage, and forced pregnancy.
During Kony’s tenure, the LRA instilled terror in Uganda for nearly two decades, operating from bases in northern Uganda and neighboring countries before being largely dismantled. The conflict resulted in an estimated 100,000 fatalities, according to U.N. estimates. Prosecutors assert that Kony wielded absolute authority over the LRA, orchestrating the abduction of children for indoctrination into the rebel group. These abducted children endured systematic physical and psychological abuse, often being coerced into perpetrating violence against their peers, as detailed in the charges.
Joseph Kony remains at large and has consistently refuted the accusations leveled against him. The decision to proceed with the hearing without his presence marks a significant development, representing the first instance in the ICC’s history where such action has been sanctioned by judges. This decision could potentially impact other cases involving fugitive suspects, including notable figures like Russian President Vladimir Putin and former Sudanese leader Omar al-Bashir, both wanted for various crimes but evading ICC jurisdiction.