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Promoting Transitional Justice and Accountability in Africa

Bobuin Jr Valery Gemandze Oben — Thu, 21 May 2026 12:27:03 +0000

This policy paper examines justice and accountability mechanisms in conflict and post-conflict contexts across Africa, focusing on how states can deliver meaningful accountability while building sustainable peace. From Uganda's 20-year-long insurgency, which displaced 1.5 million civilians, to the genocide in Rwanda, which claimed 800 000 lives, to Sierra Leone's civil war, which occasioned the deaths of 100 000 people, to more recent conflicts in South Sudan, where over 400 000 individuals have died since 2013, Ethiopia's Tigray conflict, The Gambia's transition from dictatorship, and ongoing violence in the Central African Republic and the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.3 Throughout these cases, six critical issues can be identified that threaten the effectiveness of justice and accountability initiatives.

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AFRICAN UNION TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE POLICY IMPLEMENTATION GUIDANCE: THE GAMBIA

Imran Darboe — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 09:05:35 +0000

The Gambia is making significant strides in its transitional justice process following the successful completion of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC). With a dedicated post-TRRC Unit established within the Ministry of Justice, the government is actively working to implement the TRRC's recommendations, laying a solid foundation for justice and reconciliation. Although challenges remain, there is a strong commitment to fostering social cohesion and addressing the needs of victims through reparations and institutional reforms. By aligning its efforts with the African Union Transitional Justice Policy, The Gambia has the potential to emerge as a model for effective transitional justice in Africa, paving the way for a more equitable and democratic future.

801051 CSVR GIZ-APSA AUTJP The Gambia Policy Brief

AFRICAN UNION TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE POLICY IMPLEMENTATION GUIDANCE: SOUTH SUDAN

Christopher Gitari — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 12:16:28 +0000

The policy brief discusses the ongoing challenges in South Sudan following conflicts in 2013 and 2016, highlighting severe human rights violations and a humanitarian crisis. It emphasizes the importance of implementing the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) and the African Union Transitional Justice Policy (AUTJP) to establish transitional justice mechanisms aimed at accountability, reconciliation, and healing. The paper outlines key elements such as truth commissions, reparations, and the inclusion of marginalized groups, and calls for comprehensive strategies to ensure effective participation in the transitional justice process, ultimately aiming for sustainable peace and recovery in South Sudan.

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AFRICAN UNION TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE POLICY IMPLEMENTATION GUIDANCE: ETHIOPIA

Markos Debebe Belay — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 12:06:43 +0000

The policy brief outlines Ethiopia's complex history of conflict and human rights abuses, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive transitional justice (TJ) policy, which was initiated in 2022 under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's administration. Despite the signing of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement in 2022, ongoing violence in regions like Amhara and Oromia complicates the TJ process. The policy brief details the establishment of various TJ institutions, including a Truth, Amnesty and Reparations Commission, and highlights the importance of inclusive and independent processes to address historical injustices. It calls for broad stakeholder involvement, effective implementation of the TJ policy, and ongoing support from international partners to ensure legitimacy and success in achieving reconciliation and accountability in Ethiopia.

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AFRICAN UNION TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE POLICY IMPLEMENTATION GUIDANCE: LESOTHO

Prof. Khabele Matlosa — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 11:29:48 +0000

The policy brief highlights the persistent violence in Lesotho since its independence in 1966, which has severely impacted democratic governance, human rights, and socio-economic development. It emphasizes the need for a cultural shift towards peace through the implementation of the African Union Transitional Justice Policy (AUTJP) to promote justice, reconciliation, and social cohesion. The paper outlines the historical context of Lesotho's conflicts, identifies key phases of violence linked to governance failures, and provides recommendations for establishing transitional justice mechanisms to address past human rights violations and foster national healing. Ultimately, it calls for collaboration among stakeholders to develop a comprehensive transitional justice framework that includes marginalized groups and ensures accountability and stability.

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New Book – Transitional Justice: Theories, Mechanisms and Debates

Hakeem Yusuf and Hugo van der Merwe — Tue, 07 Sep 2021 13:34:33 +0000

The book presents the broad scope of transitional justice studies through a focus on the theory, mechanisms and debates in the area, covering such topics as:

The origin, context and development of transitional justice
Victims, victimology and transitional justice
Prosecutions for abuses and gross violations of human rights
Truth commissions
Transitional justice and local justice
Gender, political economy and transitional justice
Apology, reconciliation and the politics of memory

The book contains chapter contributions by various CSVR staff that draws on their theoretical and practical experience in the field.