ICC hears war crimes case against Ugandan rebel leader

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is hearing a war crimes case against Ugandan rebel leader Dominic Ongwen. This is the court's first-ever confirmation of charges hearing without the accused present, as Ongwen remains at large. Ongwen, a former child soldier turned commander in the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), is accused of crimes against humanity and war crimes, including murder, enslavement, torture, and the conscription of child soldiers. The charges stem from attacks carried out by the LRA in northern Uganda between 2002 and 2005. The ICC prosecutor argued that there is sufficient evidence to confirm the charges against Ongwen, citing testimonies from victims and former LRA members. The defense, however, questioned the reliability of the evidence and the court's jurisdiction over the case. The confirmation of charges hearing is a critical step in the judicial process, as it determines whether the case will proceed to trial. The outcome of this hearing will have significant implications for the ICC's pursuit of justice for the victims of the LRA's atrocities.