The International Criminal Court (ICC) has taken an unprecedented step by opening its first-ever confirmation of charges hearing without the defendant present. At the centre of the case is Joseph Kony, the notorious leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), who was indicted almost 20 years ago but has remained a fugitive ever since.
Kony faces 39 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder, sexual enslavement, child abduction, mutilations, and massacres that terrorised northern Uganda and parts of neighbouring countries. Because he is still at large, the court has appointed a lawyer to represent him. While this is not yet a full trial, the hearing is a critical step in reviewing the strength of the prosecution’s case.
The decision to move forward without Kony present has stirred legal debate. Critics argue it could undermine fair trial rights, but many observers believe it sets an important precedent — showing that justice can still be pursued, even when powerful fugitives remain beyond reach.
For nearly two decades, international forces have hunted Kony, with the United States offering a $5 million reward and regional operations launched to capture him. Yet, he continues to evade arrest, with intelligence reports suggesting he hides around the border regions of the Central African Republic, Sudan, or South Sudan.
In Uganda, survivors of the LRA’s atrocities see this development as more than a legal milestone. For them, it represents recognition of their suffering and a step towards long-awaited justice — even if Kony never sits in the courtroom to face his victims.
