KAMPALA — Rumors of Joseph Kony’s death in the remote wilderness of Central Africa have circulated for years. But last week, the International Criminal Court (ICC) officially confirmed what many feared: the notorious Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) leader is still alive.
Senior ICC trial lawyer Leonie Von Braun told journalists that all intelligence points to one conclusion:
“I can say that all our information that we hold currently at the moment points to that he is still alive,” she said.
The announcement reopens old wounds for communities in northern Uganda that continue to bear the scars of Kony’s brutal insurgency—mass killings, abductions, sexual slavery, and the displacement of entire villages.
ICC Charges Kony, But Trial Hinges on Arrest
Nearly 20 years after the ICC issued an arrest warrant and Interpol placed Kony on its red notice list, the fugitive remains a phantom. A month ago, the court confirmed 39 charges against him, including murder, rape, and sexual enslavement.
Von Braun emphasized the legal limitation:
“The confirmation of the charge marks actually the end of the in absentia proceeding. We will not have a trial. Only if he gets arrested and handed over and appears before the judges in The Hague—that’s when we will be able to move to the next phase.”
ICC rules permit in-absentia hearings for confirming charges, not for a full trial, leaving victims of the LRA’s campaign in a prolonged wait for justice.
The Challenge of Capturing Kony
The ICC relies on partner states to arrest Kony, as the court itself has no police or military force. Von Braun noted that Kony moves through remote, loosely governed areas of Central Africa, many of which have not signed the Rome Statute.
“That already gives you an indication of why it is difficult to secure his arrest,” she said.
International cooperation adviser Dahirou Santa-Anna highlighted the historical significance: this is the first time ICC judges have confirmed charges against a suspect not present in court.
“It marks a procedural breakthrough, but also underscores the frustrations of prosecuting a fugitive who has slipped through the cracks for nearly 20 years,” he said.
Support for Victims Continues Despite Delay in Justice
While Kony remains at large, the Trust Fund for Victims has provided rehabilitation programs in northern Uganda for over 15 years, including medical care, psychosocial support, and community rebuilding.
“The efforts did not wait for conviction to take place…before taking steps to provide assistance to victims,” Santa-Anna said.
Yet, the shadow of Kony lingers. Each confirmation that he is still alive serves as a reminder of the long wait for justice, even as victims rebuild their lives.
