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Weekly Roundup January 25 to 31

Here are the top stories for this week! 

In light of the current Ongwen trial I found this informative overview of the LRA conflict in northern Uganda.

WHY IS THE UGANDA SITUATION AT THE ICC?

https://justicehub.org/article/why-uganda-situation-icc#

In 2003, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni presented an official referral to the International Criminal Court for the crimes allegedly committed by the Lord's Resistance Army. The LRA is a rebel group active since the late 80s in Uganda and neighbouring countries. It is accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity. It is accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The charges include murder, abduction, mutilation, sexual slavery and forcing children to participate in hostilities. The conflict has left over 65,000 people dead and forced many more to flee their homes and take refuge in camps for internally displaced persons.

AS THE WORLD WATCHES ONGWEN, LRA ADDS CHAPTER TO BRUTAL LEGACY

http://invisiblechildren.com/blog/2016/01/25/reblog-world-watches-ongwen-lra-adds-chapter-brutal-legacy/

In 2015, Joseph Kony’s fighters abducted 103 people in Central African Republic (CAR). In just the first three weeks of 2016, they’ve already abducted 94 individuals.

As ICC Holds Key Hearing in Ongwen Case, LRA Victims in Uganda Need More Than Prosecutions

https://www.ictj.org/news/icc-ongwen-lra-victims-uganda-need-more-than-prosecutions

Ugandan victims of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) have waited over a decade to see the group’s leadership held accountable for crimes committed during the armed conflict with Uganda’s government. They saw it happen last week, when former LRA commander Dominic Ongwen appeared in court for an important hearing at the International Criminal Court.

“It was a moment of joy to see justice implemented against an LRA commander,” said one woman from the village of Ajuro, in Kaberamaido district. “I want compensation from the government for failing to protect my husband when he was killed.”

The confirmation of charges hearing will determine whether there is sufficient evidence against Ongwen to move his case to trial.

The Dominic Ongwen Trial

http://enoughproject.org/blogs/dominic-ongwen-trial

This week marks an important step forward for international justice and accountability for atrocities in East and Central Africa. The International Court completed its confirmation of charges hearings in the case of Dominic Ongwen, a former commander of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).

Reintegrating former-LRA combatants after the Amnesty Act

http://www.insightonconflict.org/2016/01/reintegrating-former-lra-combatants-amnesty-act/

In the next of a series of videos with War and Peace Talks, Stephen Oola, Peace Direct's Uganda Local Correspondent, whether Uganda's 2000 Amnesty Act was successful in reintegrating former LRA combatants back into society.

The War and Peace Talks site is really interesting and you should definitely consider signing up for their email listserv (I did!)

WAR AND PEACE TALK : VIDEO INTERVIEWS WITH THE EXPERTS

http://warandpeacetalk.com/

I also found this field note study on the experiences of children born into LRA captivity. It is a longer read at 70+ pages but definitely insightful.

We Are All the Same Experiences of children born into LRA captivity

http://justiceandreconciliation.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/We-Are-All-The-Same-Experiences-of-children-born-into-LRA-captivity-2015-12-22.pdf

High Profile Harare Ivory Poacher, Accomplice Appears in Court

http://www.newzimbabwe.com/news-27251-Top+ivory+poacher,+accomplices+nabbed/news.aspx

One Country Will Destroy Its Ivory—and Pray for Elephants

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/01/160125-sri-lanka-elephants-buddhism-ivory-stockpile-cites/

Sri Lanka also becomes the world’s first country to apologize that elephants are being killed for their ivory.

Debate: Should ivory stockpiles be destroyed?

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/debate-should-ivory-stockpiles-be-destroyed-9099221.html

The United States has done it. The Philippines and China too. Even Hong Kong has said it will destroy some of its contraband ivory. But ahead of a conservation conference in London next month (Feb 12-13) where world leaders will descend to seek a solution to wildlife crime, the debate about the future of stockpiles is set to heat up.

I am still eagerly awaiting news on the Ongwen trial and its outcome; hopefully by next week. Until then, take care!