International Criminal Court charges Joseph Kony with war crimes
- Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court presented evidence against Joseph Kony for war crimes on September 9, 2025.
- The LRA, led by Kony, committed horrific acts during its 1980s insurgency in Uganda and continued attacks in neighboring countries.
- Despite Kony being at large, the ICC's actions are viewed as a crucial step towards achieving justice for the victims.
In Uganda, the International Criminal Court commenced its first in absentia hearing against fugitive Joseph Kony on September 9, 2025. Prosecutors presented evidence to support various charges against Kony, including atrocities committed during his leadership of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) during the 1980s and beyond. The LRA initiated violent campaigns in Uganda aiming to overthrow the government, which forced Kony and his militia to retreat to neighboring countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, and South Sudan after being pushed out. The impact of Kony’s attacks still leaves victims emotionally and physically scarred as a panel of judges examines whether to confirm the charges against him. Though he eludes capture, Kony’s notoriety surged in 2012 when a viral video heightened global awareness of his crimes, yet he remains free despite a $5 million bounty for his arrest. Survivors express their desire for justice, viewing the hearing as a critical test case for the ICC’s capacity to address war crimes in absentia. Observers suggest that the outcome may set precedents for future high-profile cases, such as those involving political leaders, even if Kony's case specifically is seen by some as a