Revitalising African Traditional Justice Mechanisms: Report on the Fifth African Transitional Justice Forum
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- In Policy, Publications, Research
- by Jasmina Brankovic
On 20–22 October 2021, the Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS) of the African Union Commission (AUC) and the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR) hosted the Fifth African Transitional Justice Forum. The Forum explored a number of issues raised by the increasing unrest, violence and democratic deficits in Africa, which the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated. Based on in-depth discussions, the Forum proceedings offer recommendations for revitalising traditional justice mechanisms as mainstream transitional justice measures, as well as applying a gender lens to transitional justice processes while addressing sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls, men and boys, and LGBTQI+ persons. They present insights for tackling historical injustices and socioeconomic inequality in relation to governance deficits; dealing with transnational conflicts and violations, including violent extremism, through transitional justice; and applying transitional justice approaches to address climate change impacts and harms. They also propose strategies for harnessing the large youth population for participation in transitional justice, as well as leveraging the opportunities presented by the pandemic, particularly from the perspective of mental health and psychosocial support as a core aspect of transitional justice.
5th African TJ Forum Report - 2022
Dr. Jasmina Brankovic is Senior Research Adviser at the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation. With a focus on participatory methods, Jasmina conducts research on inequality and socioeconomic transformation, climate justice, narrative change, and civil society strategies in transitional contexts. Her publications include 'Violence, Inequality and Transformation: Apartheid Survivors on South Africa's Ongoing Transition' (2020), 'The Global Climate Regime and Transitional Justice' (2018) and 'Advocating Transitional Justice in Africa: The Role of Civil Society' (2018). She has a PhD in Political Science from the University of Marburg (Centre for Conflict Studies).
