ICC Should Give Up On Capturing Kony

The International Criminal Court clings to the hope that Uganda will arrest LRA commanders, which would be a violation of the amnesty that the government is offering

Joseph Kony says he and his rebel outfit are committed to peace. Yoweri Museveni's government is willing to grant amnesty to the notorious LRA for the sake of the the Acholi people in the north. Despite certain concerns from each side, both parties are finally ready to risk trusting the other side.

The United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator, Jan Egeland, welcomed the new agreement, signed on August 26, adding that there is now a real chance for progress in the north - mainly Acholiland - where 1.7 million people remain in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps as a result of the 20-year conflict. But while Ugandans discussed the intricacies of the new deal and Egeland offered words of hope and encouragement, other organizations and nations continued to insist that Kony and his commanders be apprehended for their previous offenses.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) continues to hope that the Ugandan government will enforce the warrants. The Brititsh minister, Lord Triesman - responsible for African relations - also defended the UK's position to prosecute the key leaders of the LRA.

Under the terms of the agreement, Kony and his band of wicked fiends will be given total amnesty for their years of abduction, mutilation, sexual enslavement and murder. In spite of the ICC's 33 charges against them for some of the most atrocious acts of inhumanity, this promise to the LRA should be honoured. Kony must be lured out of the bush so that the Acholi people can begin rebuilding their lives and culture.

If any forces intervene and arrest members of the LRA, the Acholi could be plunged back into a future of fear and uncertainty. Furthermore, any other rebel groups around Africa who are tempted to cease hostilities will remember how this bait was so easily switched for the hook.

Perhaps the ICC and the UK should consult the 1.7 million people in the Internally Displaced Persons camps and ask if they want to continue living in conditions of absolute squalor and degradation while distant bureaucrats argue about the definition of justice in their ivory towers. It will be impossible to forgive and forget the LRA but it is time to unlock the Acholi from their suspended state.