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LRA commander Dominic Ongwen goes on trial at ICC LRA commander Dominic Ongwen pleads not guilty to war crimes at ICC
(35 minutes later)
The first former child soldier to appear at the International Criminal Court on war crimes charges has told judges he was a victim too. The first former child soldier to appear at the International Criminal Court has pleaded not guilty and told judges he was a victim too.
Lords Resistance Army (LRA) commander Dominic Ongwen said the LRA was responsible and he had also suffered from the atrocities.Lords Resistance Army (LRA) commander Dominic Ongwen said the LRA was responsible and he had also suffered from the atrocities.
Ongwen was a boy when he was abducted by the notoriously ruthless rebel cult. He is now in his early 40s. Ongwen, now in his early 40s, was a boy when he was abducted by the notoriously ruthless rebel cult.
He faces 70 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Uganda.He faces 70 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Uganda.
Mr Ongwen is accused of leading attacks on four camps for internally displaced people in northern Uganda, murdering and torturing civilians, and forcing women into marriage and children to take part in the fighting.Mr Ongwen is accused of leading attacks on four camps for internally displaced people in northern Uganda, murdering and torturing civilians, and forcing women into marriage and children to take part in the fighting.
But he told the court the charges should be brought against the LRA and its leader Joseph Kony, not him.But he told the court the charges should be brought against the LRA and its leader Joseph Kony, not him.
"It is the LRA who abducted people in northern Uganda, killed people in northern Uganda and committed atrocities in northern Uganda. I'm one of the people against whom the LRA committed atrocities. It is not me who is the LRA," he said."It is the LRA who abducted people in northern Uganda, killed people in northern Uganda and committed atrocities in northern Uganda. I'm one of the people against whom the LRA committed atrocities. It is not me who is the LRA," he said.
The BBC's Anna Holligan in The Hague says Mr Ongwen's story encapsulates many of the complexities of the LRA conflict, which has claimed more than 100,000 lives, because he was a child groomed in the image of his oppressors. When asked if he wanted to plead guilty, he said the trial against him "amounts to my going back into the bush for a second time" and asked the judges if they disputed that his life had been ruined.
He then pleaded not guilty to all 70 charges.
Who is Dominic Ongwen?Who is Dominic Ongwen?
Dominic Ongwen - full profileDominic Ongwen - full profile
The BBC's Anna Holligan in The Hague says Mr Ongwen's story encapsulates many of the complexities of the LRA conflict, which has claimed more than 100,000 lives, because he was a child groomed in the image of his oppressors.
He was captured in the Central African Republic in January 2015, after being sought by US and African forces since 2011.He was captured in the Central African Republic in January 2015, after being sought by US and African forces since 2011.
He is said to be the deputy to LRA commander Joseph Kony, who is still on the run.He is said to be the deputy to LRA commander Joseph Kony, who is still on the run.
Uganda agreed that Mr Ongwen should be tried by the ICC despite being a fierce critic of the court.Uganda agreed that Mr Ongwen should be tried by the ICC despite being a fierce critic of the court.
Big screens have been set up in the Ugandan capital Kampala, where people are following the trial via video link.
The LRA rebellion began more than two decades ago in northern Uganda and its estimated 200-500 fighters - many of them child soldiers - have since terrorised large swathes of central Africa.The LRA rebellion began more than two decades ago in northern Uganda and its estimated 200-500 fighters - many of them child soldiers - have since terrorised large swathes of central Africa.
How Ugandans are following the trial - Patience Atuhaire, BBC News, Kampala
Many Ugandans are waiting to see if, at least in this situation, justice will be done.
The ICC outreach office and the International Centre for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) have set up several live-streaming points - in Kampala and in the north for the next two days - to bring the court proceedings to the people directly affected.
Several of these screens are in Lukodi, Pajule and Odek villages, which formerly hosted camps for the internally displaced and are the scenes of many of the crimes Mr Ongwen is accused of.
There is also a live-viewing point in Ongwen's own home village of Coorom in Amuru district.
In northern Uganda, the proceedings are being translated into local language so ordinary people get a sense of what is happening.
Though many are interested in seeing what happens in the Hague, some in northern Uganda think justice is only one part of the process. Many, especially those who suffered years of displacement, are focusing on rebuilding their lives.
Some among those directly affected had wanted Ongwen to be tried at home.