Kony Case: ICC Confirms Charges of War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity
On 6 November 2025, Pre-Trial Chamber III of the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a decision confirming all 39 charges brought by the Prosecutor in the case The Prosecutor v. Joseph Kony, committing Mr. Kony to trial before a Trial Chamber.
Although the charges are confirmed, the trial requires Mr. Kony's presence before the ICC, as trials cannot proceed in the suspect's absence under the ICC Rome Statute, the Court's founding treaty.
Judges Involved
- Judge Althea Violet Alexis-Windsor (Presiding Judge)
- Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc
- Judge Haykel Ben Mahfoudh
Charges and Timeframe
The Chamber found substantial grounds to believe that Joseph Kony is responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed from 1 July 2002 to 31 December 2005 in northern Uganda.
Background of Joseph Kony and the Conflict
Joseph Kony, a Ugandan national, is the founder and leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). During the specified period, a prolonged non-international armed conflict took place in northern Uganda, affecting the Acholi, Lango, and Teso regions.
The conflict involved the LRA on one side and the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) along with allied local armed units on the other.
"Trials cannot be held in the suspect’s absence, according to the ICC Rome Statute, the Court’s founding treaty."
"There are substantial grounds to believe that Mr Kony is responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity."
Author’s summary: The ICC formally confirmed 39 charges against Joseph Kony for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the northern Uganda conflict, while he remains at large awaiting trial.