The International Criminal Court (ICC) has been seeking the arrest of Joseph Kony, the alleged founder and leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) in Uganda, for over 19 years. Kony is wanted for 36 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including attacks on civilians, murder, torture, enslavement, and sexual slavery. Despite the ICC’s efforts, Kony remains at large.
In a recent development, ICC judges have scheduled a confirmation of charges hearing for Kony to start on 9 September 2025. This hearing will assess whether the evidence presented by the Prosecutor is sufficient to proceed to trial. The hearing will be held in Kony’s absence, as he has not been apprehended.
Legal representation for Kony has been appointed by the Pre-Trial Chamber III, with experienced defense lawyer Peter Haynes appointed as Counsel for Kony. If Kony is declared indigent, the Court will bear the cost of his defense.
Victims of the crimes allegedly committed by Kony have the right to participate in the proceedings and request reparations. The ICC has appointed legal representatives to advocate for the interests of the victims during the confirmation of charges hearing.
The case of Joseph Kony is separate from that of Dominic Ongwen, another former LRA commander who was convicted by the ICC in 2021. Ongwen’s trial concluded with a 25-year prison sentence, and a phase dedicated to reparations for victims is ongoing.
The ICC continues its pursuit of justice for the victims of the atrocities committed by Joseph Kony and remains committed to holding him accountable for his alleged crimes.
