ICC investigation Lord's Resistance Army

the international criminal court issued arrest warrants on 8 july , 27 september 2005, against joseph kony, deputy vincent otti, , lra commanders okot odhiambo, deputy army commander , dominic ongwen, brigade commander of sania brigade of lra. 4 lra leaders charged crimes against humanity , war crimes, including murder, rape, , sexual slavery. ongwen of 4 not charged recruiting child soldiers. warrants filed under seal; public redacted versions released on 13 october 2005.

these first warrants issued icc since established in 2002. details of warrants sent 3 countries lra active: uganda, sudan (the lra active in south sudan), , democratic republic of congo. lra leadership has long stated never surrender unless granted immunity prosecution; icc order arrest them raised concerns insurgency not have negotiated end.

the indictments received warm praise within international community. however, acholi people showed mixed reactions. many felt amnesty lra soldiers , negotiated settlement best hope end of war. in end, court s intent prosecute leaders of lra reduced army s willingness cooperate in peace negotiations.

on 30 november 2005, lra deputy commander, vincent otti, contacted bbc announcing renewed desire among lra leadership hold peace talks ugandan government. government expressed skepticism regarding overture stated openness peaceful resolution of conflict.

on 2 june 2006, interpol issued 5 wanted person red notices 184 countries on behalf of icc, has no police of own. kony had been reported have met vice president of south sudan riek machar. next day, human rights watch reported regional government of southern sudan had ignored previous icc warrants arrest of 4 of lra s top leaders, , instead supplied lra cash , food incentive stop them attacking southern sudanese citizens.

at least 2 of 5 wanted lra leaders have since been killed: lukwiya in august 2006 , otti in late 2007 (executed kony). odhiambo rumoured have been killed in april 2008. in february, 2015, updf forces found body of unidentified person. later on in april, dna tests identified body of odhiambo.

in july 2011, south sudan seceded sudan, cutting lra off geopolitically former allies in khartoum.

in january 2015, dominic ongwen reported either have defected or have been captured , held ugandan forces.