Ongwen to Pay €52M to Victims: ICC’s Firm Ruling Explained!

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has confirmed a payment of 52 million euros for victims of Dominic Ongwen, a Ugandan warlord. Ongwen was part of a brutal group called the Lord’s Resistance Army, led by the infamous Joseph Kony, who is still on the run. Ongwen, also known as “White Ant,” is serving a 25-year prison sentence for terrible crimes like murder, rape, and sexual slavery.

Last year, ICC judges decided to award 52 million euros in damages, including 750 euros for almost 50,000 victims of his actions. Although Ongwen appealed against this decision, an ICC appeals court rejected his claim, as stated by Judge Solomy Balungi Bossa from Uganda. Ongwen participated in the court hearing via video link, wearing a dark suit and red tie.

Ongwen was kidnapped and forced to be a child soldier at just nine years old. His case raises questions about the responsibility of children who are taken from their homes. The Lord’s Resistance Army has been active for around 30 years, aiming to create a country based on the Ten Commandments while causing death and destruction. They have been responsible for over 100,000 deaths and the abduction of 60,000 children across Uganda and beyond.

The ICC found that Ongwen personally led his troops in attacking refugee camps and killing civilians between 2002 and 2005. Although the court recognized that he was once a helpless child, they said this does not excuse his actions as an adult. A special fund will handle the payments to the victims since Ongwen is currently in a Norwegian prison and can’t pay them himself.

In 2015, Ongwen gave himself up to U.S. forces after they were searching for Kony. He was then sent to the ICC to face trial. An upcoming hearing is scheduled for September 9 to announce charges against Kony, who is being tried in absentia.