Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) have confirmed charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity against Ugandan rebel leader Joseph Kony, clearing the way for a trial — but only if he is captured.
A three-judge panel found there were “substantial grounds” to believe that Kony was responsible for 29 counts of atrocities, including murder, rape, and sexual enslavement, committed during his leadership of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) — a group that terrorized northern Uganda for decades and spread violence into neighboring countries.
Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang said the LRA’s brutal campaign left lasting scars, adding that “the social and cultural fabric of Northern Uganda has been torn apart and it is still struggling to rebuild itself.”
The hearing marked a historic moment for the ICC as it was the first time proceedings were held in absentia, meaning Kony was not present in court. His lawyers argued that holding the case without him violated his right to a fair trial, claiming the “empty chair” in the courtroom made it impossible to properly defend him.
Kony gained worldwide attention in 2012 after a viral online campaign exposed his crimes and called for his arrest. Despite years of international efforts, he remains at large.
The case is considered a major test for the ICC as it seeks new ways to move forward with justice in cases where suspects evade arrest. The LRA insurgency, which began in the 1980s, became infamous for abducting children, mutilating civilians, and enslaving women, leaving a legacy of trauma that continues to affect communities across Uganda, the Congo, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic.