My thoughts on the Ongwen case at the ICC. In short, it is a complicated case that underlines the tragedy that this long conflict has been for many. More here.
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Excellent Book Review in The Spectator
'But at core it’s a superb narrative of one man’s nightmarish descent into a world of depravity, overseen by an omnipotent tyrant cloaking supreme selfishness and savagery in the garb of religious mysticism.' Full review
Great book review in The Conversation
I was very happy to see this excellent review by Professor Stephen Chan of SOAS in The Conversation, referring to the 'When the Walking Defeats You' as one of the best books of 2016.
My article with Paul Ronan in the Washington Post
Paul and I argue that the US Special Forces in the anti-LRA ops have a crucial role to play in dismantling the LRA regardless of the degree of Ugandan army involvement. "With Kony’s increasingly erratic and brutal leadership alienating many followers, the best opportunity to dismantle the LRA at this point may be encouraging disillusioned... Continue Reading →
My BBC article on Ongwen’s case at the ICC
"The former Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) fighter is the first former child soldier to face charges at the ICC. He has been charged with 70 counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes, including attacks against civilians, torture, sexual and gender-based crimes and conscription and use of child soldiers - some of them the very crimes... Continue Reading →
Book Excerpt In Vice – What It Was Like to Be Joseph Kony’s Bodyguard
Vice ran two small passages from the book. I thought the whole thing with photos and the book cover was nicely done. When researching the book, this particular quote from Kony stuck with me. I am glad Vice people thought it important also. "I have no choice but to do all these things to keep... Continue Reading →
Book Excerpt in the Guardian
The Guardian ran an excerpt from When the Walking Defeats You. The first two paragraphs: "Kony divided the 800 men, women and children bound for CAR into four groups. Sam’s group, which included George, travelled with Kony, often doubling as his security. George was happy to stay in Sam’s unit but the walk was as... Continue Reading →
Five years of US army involvement in the anti-LRA effort
I co-wrote an article for The Cipher Brief with Professor Ron Atkinson outlining the effects of the US strategy in dealing with the LRA. In short, the LRA remains a real threat to civilians in Central Africa. Here is an excerpt. This joint effort has succeeded in significantly weakening the LRA. According to our research, in... Continue Reading →
On Thomas Kwoyelo
On 2 May 2016, Thomas Kwoyelo, will be tried in Gulu, Northern Uganda, a first case against former LRA fighters in Uganda. Much has been written about Kwoyelo's illegal stay in prison, the refusal by the Ugandan authorities to grant him amnesty and his legal battles (I am particularly partial to the writing of Alexis Okeowo here.)... Continue Reading →
Symposium on Ongwen and the ICC case – my take
Mark Kersten at Justice in Conflict has put together a symposium on the ICC case of Ongwen with some fantastic pieces, ranging from a description of the history of the conflict to a discussion of the legal implications of Ongwen's past as a child soldier, in his sentencing. I wrote one of the articles in... Continue Reading →
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