By CHIMPREPORTS
President Museveni has met and held discussions with the International Criminal Court (ICC) Chief Prosecutor, Karim A. A. Khan at State Lodge, Nakasero.
During the Saturday meeting, the two parties “discussed among other issues; Uganda’s importance as a well-respected state party to the ICC,” according to a statement from State House to ChimpReports.
The meeting came just days after the International Criminal Court (ICC) closed its investigation into alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes committed by the rebel Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) in northern Uganda.
The court said Joseph Kony, who has evaded capture for over two decades, will be tried in absentia.
“Today, I have made the decision that, beyond the outstanding case against Mr Kony, my Office will not pursue new lines of inquiry in the Situation in Uganda,” said Khan in a statement on Friday afternoon.
During the meeting at Nakasero, prosecutor Khan praised the Ugandan government for its vital role in putting an end to the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency in Northern Uganda and its support to ICC in prosecuting the war criminals.
“I’m very grateful to share your knowledge of history and understanding of the region,” said Khan.
“This has been a very productive meeting and I hope to come to Uganda again for more such engagements,” he added.
Khan said his office would concentrate its efforts in ensuring the successful prosecution of Joseph Kony.
“Concerted efforts with ICC Registry and relevant partners will continue to be devoted to secure his arrest,” he observed.
Officials said Khan would as well meet with Director General of External Security Organisation Amb. Joseph Ocwet, Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka in regards to the conclusion of investigations of atrocities by the LRA, indictment, charge and possible prosecution of Joseph Kony – the only suspect referred to the ICC by Uganda still at large.
Crimes
On 29 July 2004, following a referral from the Government of Uganda, ICC opened an investigation concerning crimes committed by LRA between 1 July 2002 and 31 December 2005.
Following an investigation, on 6 May 2005, ICC issued warrants of arrest against five LRA commanders – Raska Lukwiya, Okot Odhiambo, Vincent Otti, Dominic Ongwen and Joseph Kony.
The armed group was accused of committing gross violations of human rights, including sexual and gender-based crimes and crimes against children in northern Uganda.
In relation to three of the five warrants of arrest issued, Pre-Trial Chamber II terminated proceedings against Raska Lukwiya, Okot Odhiambo and Vincent Otti due to their deaths.
The ICC’s investigations led to the successful prosecution and conviction of Dominic Ongwen, for 61 counts comprising crimes against humanity and war crimes, which include: attacks on civilian populations, sexual slavery, forced marriage and forced pregnancy, murder, mutilation, torture, pillaging, abduction and other atrocities committed by LRA fighters under Dominic Ongwen’s command.
On 6 May 2021, Mr Ongwen, was sentenced to 25 years of imprisonment. On 15 December 2022, Dominic Ongwen’s conviction and sentence were affirmed on appeal, and reparations proceedings are currently underway.
Khan said his Office would seek to increase its engagement with Ugandan national institutions, with the goal of strengthening and supporting accountability efforts through an enhanced cooperation framework.
“Complementarity and cooperation can only be effective if the Court, the States Parties and partners work together to shoulder the weighty responsibilities envisaged by the Rome Statute and demanded by victims,” he observed.
UPDF dislodged Kony from his main hideouts in Garamba Forest in 2008. Hundreds of LRA rebels have since defected to the Ugandan government.
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