The Chase Isn’t Over And We Are Seeing Him: ICC Declares It Has Enough Evidence to Try Joseph Kony Immediately

The International Crimes Court (ICC) has restated its commitment to eventually bring Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) leader Joseph Kony before the law, even though he continues to evade capture as one of the most difficult fugitives to trace after more than twenty years concealed from view. Known for orchestrating brutal operations in northern Uganda, Kony is sought over multiple serious allegations, including war crimes and crimes against humanity.

In a major shift for the global justice system, the ICC recently advanced with the confirmation of charges hearing against Kony in absentia. This decisive action has sparked widespread interest, marking the first occasion in which the court has upheld charges against a suspect who has not yet been detained.

Questions and responses related to the judicial process have grown, particularly after the ICC confirmed its intention to keep the matter moving despite Kony’s prolonged disappearance. The move reflects the court’s resolve to stop fugitives from indefinitely blocking legal proceedings.

In September 2025, judges of Pre-Trial Chamber III concluded that there were “substantial grounds” to believe Kony was criminally liable for all 39 accusations brought against him. Their finding pushed the long-standing file into new territory, creating a significant legal precedent for the ICC.

ICC Officials: Kony Is “Still Alive”

During a virtual session with reporters, Senior Trial Lawyer Leonie von Braun reassured observers that Kony remains alive and remains under the court’s scrutiny.

“All the information we have from our various sources indicates that Joseph Kony is still alive; otherwise, we would not have proceeded with the trial in absentia process. We cannot give a timeframe for his arrest, nor can we disclose his whereabouts due to security reasons,” said Leonie von Braun, Senior Trial Lawyer at the ICC, while addressing journalists via Zoom.

Her statements sought to restore confidence among those who have tracked the long search for the LRA leader. Von Braun also appealed to communities affected by the insurgency and to ICC supporters not to lose faith, stressing that justice—though slow-moving—remains achievable.

“Ms. Braun urged victims of the LRA insurgency in northern Uganda and the international community not to lose hope, stressing that Kony would eventually be arrested to face a full trial before the ICC.

‘There have been many cases that have taken a long time before fugitives were captured. We are working with various partners to ensure that Kony is brought to justice, although for security reasons, I cannot reveal who these partners are,’ she added.”

Fate of Other LRA Commanders

During a meeting at Hotel Africana in Kampala, Dahirou Santa-Anna, an International Cooperation Advisor in the Office of the Prosecutor, provided additional context regarding the wider LRA investigations. He explained that the ICC had earlier issued five arrest warrants for Kony, Dominic Ongwen, and three other senior LRA figures. Ongwen has since been tried, while the remaining leaders were confirmed deceased.

Santa-Anna clarified that the confirmation of charges hearing—held without Kony present but with his legal team involved—had formally opened the way for a complete trial. What remains missing is his physical appearance before the judges.

“This can only happen if Kony is arrested or surrenders himself to the ICC,” Santa-Anna noted.

He stressed that the arrest warrant stays active and will not expire until Kony is apprehended or until the court is presented with credible evidence of his death. Santa-Anna further explained that judges have determined the prosecution has gathered enough material to support a full trial once Kony is detained.

The Charges Against Kony

Kony is accused of 36 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, allegedly carried out between 1 July 2002 and 31 December 2005 during some of the most devastating years of the LRA conflict in northern Uganda. The accusations include:

1. Directing attacks against civilians
2. Murder and attempted murder
3. Torture and severe physical abuse
4. Enslavement and abduction of civilians
5. Pillaging and destruction of villages and property
6. Persecution of civilians based on political belief, age, and gender

The severity and range of these indictments highlight the immense suffering endured by countless victims.

A Long Road to Justice

Although Joseph Kony remains unlocated, the ICC’s latest measures signal renewed determination in the global pursuit of accountability. For survivors, international rights defenders, and the broader legal community, the message is unmistakable: efforts to secure justice persist, and the world has not turned away from the crimes committed under the LRA’s violent rule.