The International Criminal Court (ICC) has preferred to bring 36 charges against Joseph Kony, the elusive leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebel group. 

The charges were issued by the office of the prosecutor headed by Karim Khan, a British-Pakistani who was appointed in 2021. 

The charges include internationally directing attacks against the civilian population, murder, attempted murder, torture, severe abuse and mistreatment, enslavement, pillaging, destruction of property, persecution, forced marriage, rape, cruel treatment, conscripting children, sexual slavery, and forced pregnancy, among others. 

According to the statement released on January 19, 2024, announcing the charges, Khan described the agenda of Kony and the armed group which developed into a protracted conflict, as one whose objective was to destabilise and ultimately overthrow the Ugandan government through armed rebellion.  

“The LRA under Kony’s leadership targeted civilians, including but not limited to those living in internally displaced persons camps (IDP Camps),” Khan said. 

According to Khan, LRA commanders and fighters complied with Kony’s instructions to carry out the charged crimes. 

“Kony had the ultimate power to decide the fate of all LRA members,” Khan said. 

Kony’s structure of power was described as one that was organised and had a hierarchal apparatus of power. 

The 36 charges will be brought before the presiding judge Rosario Salvatore Aitala, Judge Tomoko Akane and Judge Sergio Gerardo Godinez for confirmation. 

The government of Uganda has been hunting Kony who has been at large, but is said to be rooming in the Central African Republic jungles. 

In 2021, the United States of America placed a bounty of $5million for anyone who could capture Kony and they would be rewarded with the prize money if his found alive. 

“Providing information on Kony requires great courage. The U.S. government assures that everything shared will be kept confidential. Anyone with his whereabouts is encouraged to step forward today- no information is too small,” the website suggests as it provides a WhatsApp number for quick contact +1(202) 975 5468. 

The 36 charges for Kony as a leader of the rebel outfit appear to be fewer than Dominic Ongwen who got 70 charges, yet he was subordinate to Kony, which has attracted debate among legal minds. 

If the charges are confirmed by the judges this month or this year, then this will be the first trial at the court to proceed in absentia of the suspect. 

In this case, Paolina Massida and Sarah Pellet, are representing the office of public counsel for victims, while Xavier-Jean Keita is representing the office of public counsel for the defence. 

The counsel for the defence was not yet appointed by press time while the office of the prosecutor is represented by Karim Khan, Mame Mandiaye Niang and Leoni Von Braun.