Captured LRA chief handed over to CAR
Lord’s Resistance Army rebel commander Dominic Ongwen has been handed over to the Central African Republic to be transferred to the International Criminal Court. PHOTO | FILE |
What you need to know:
- Ongwen surrendered last week, dealing a major blow to the LRA’s three-decade-long campaign across several central African nations.
- Ongwen was a senior aide to LRA leader and warlord Joseph Kony, who is still at large and being pursued by regional troops and US special forces.
KAMPALA, Saturday
Captured Lord’s Resistance Army rebel commander Dominic Ongwen has been handed over to the Central African Republic to be transferred to the International Criminal Court, the Ugandan army said on Saturday.
Ongwen surrendered last week, dealing a major blow to the LRA’s three-decade-long campaign across several central African nations.
He has been sought by the ICC for almost a decade to face charges— including war crimes, murder, enslavement, inhumane acts and directing attacks against civilians.
Ugandan army spokesman Paddy Ankunda said in a statement that Ongwen had been “flown to Bangui for further management” and was “destined to (the) Hague”.
Ongwen first gave himself to US troops in CAR, and was then handed over to Uganda’s army, then to African Union troops and finally to the CAR’s government, according to Ugandan officials.
Uganda said the final stage of the handover was witnessed by a US diplomat, but could not confirm if Ongwen was still in Bangui or on a plane bound for The Hague.
Ongwen was a senior aide to LRA leader and warlord Joseph Kony, who is still at large and being pursued by regional troops and US special forces.
