The International Criminal Court (ICC) has renewed its pledge to arrest Joseph Kony, the fugitive leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). Thousands of victims from northern Uganda have waited two decades for justice, and the court says it will not abandon them.
Senior trial lawyer Leonie Von Braun addressed the chamber with a strong message. “Our efforts to secure Mr Kony’s arrest and surrender are continuing,” she said. She added that the Office of the Prosecutor works daily with the Registry and international partners to locate and apprehend him. According to Von Braun, capturing Kony and bringing him before the judges remains the court’s ultimate goal.
During two days of hearings, the ICC listened to partial evidence from prosecutors. At the same time, lawyers representing 5,795 victims made submissions urging the judges to confirm charges.
Lawyer Francisco Cox reminded the chamber that survivors have long requested justice from the court created in 1998. His colleague Joseph Manoba emphasized that Kony acted as overall commander of the LRA. He organized attacks, gave direct orders, rewarded fighters with rank, and punished deserters.
Manoba explained further that Kony distributed abducted girls as “rewards” to control his forces. He also imposed brutal punishments, including death, on those who tried to escape. Because of this system, many fighters remained trapped in the rebel group.
The victims’ lawyer also described the deep harm caused by gender-based violence. Survivors continue to face health complications and long-term trauma. Almost 21 years after attacks in Abok, Odek, Lukodi, and Pajule, Kony remains free. According to Manoba, around 500 victims have died without justice or reparations.
Kony’s defence lawyer, Peter Haynes, dismissed the process. He argued that hearing evidence without the accused present was unfair. “Without an accused, this case is at a dead end,” he told the chamber.
Despite this, the session closed with a clear plan. Presiding Judge Althea Violet Alexis-Windsor, joined by Judges Julia Motoc and Ben Mahfoudh, confirmed that the chamber would deliver a ruling within 60 days.
The ICC Joseph Kony case is historic. It is the first time the ICC has considered charges against a suspect who has not yet been arrested. For victims of the LRA’s brutal conflict, the promise to capture Kony keeps hope alive that justice will finally be delivered.
READ: International Criminal Court Proceeds with Joseph Kony Trial in Absentia
