The recently-established International Criminal Court (ICC) risks being ‘fatally damaged’ by demands it cancel its first war-crimes indictment because it is an obstacle to ending Uganda's 20-year civil war.

The dispute over charges against Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) leader, Joseph Kony – accused of mass murder, rape, mutilation and abducting children to become soldiers – has divided African governments and countries like Britain. A Mail & Guardian Online report says the former believe trials should be subordinated to local peace deals and reconciliation. The latter back the ICC as a means to establish international justice. The ICC investigated the LRA's crimes at the request of Uganda and issued indictments against Kony and four commanders in 2005. Kony has demanded the charges be dropped as a condition for a peace deal, and Uganda's President, Yoweri Museveni, wants the ICC to agree. Museveni has also promised the LRA leader immunity from arrest in Uganda. The ICC says governments are obliged to implement the warrants if Kony is on their territory and has reminded Uganda, Sudan and the DRC of their legal commitments. South African judge Richard Goldstone, former chief prosecutor for the Bosnia and Rwanda tribunals, which laid the ground for the ICC, said if the charges against Kony were dropped, it could destroy the court.
Full Mail & Guardian report