The African Union Commission (Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security) and the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR) in collaboration with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Togo (HCRRUN) successfully organized the Sixth Edition of the Continental Transitional Justice Forum, held in person in Lomé, Togo from 7- 9 September 2022. The overall objective of the forum was to review the state of Transitional Justice (TJ) in Africa with the goal of strengthening TJ mechanisms and practices in the context of Social Capital.

The high-level dialogue received opening remarks from Mrs. Awa Nana-Daboya, President of the HCRRUN (Togo), Mr. Tefo Raditapole, Chairperson of Board of CSVR (South Africa), Dr Solomon Dersso, African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security/AUC and the representative of the Head of State of Togo. On their respective opening statements, the high table panelists emphasized on the criticality of Transitional Justice in being a component to promote the nexus between Peace, Security, Justice and Development. It must be noted that all speakers underlined that the African Union Transitional Justice Policy (AUTJP) is one of the viable instruments for addressing violent conflicts, insecurity and democratic deficiency in Africa.

The three-day forum was thematically clustered into eight panels that examined the extent to which TJ processes have explored the interconnected concerns of development and justice; Furthermore it highlighted and evaluated the application and applicability of transitional justice to address emerging challenges and crises such as climate change, intra- and cross-border conflicts which all threaten resilience of African people, their food security and socio-economic development. The forum was also an avenue to provoke thoughts around gendered dimensions of insecurity, the role of youth in transitions, the marginalized groups and TJ as well as regional Mechanisms and TJ. And finally, the meeting concluded with closing remarks from representatives from European Center for Electoral Support, Impunity Watch, BERGHOF Foundation, ATJLF, Mrs. Annah Moyo from CSVR, Amb. Calixte Mbari from AUC-PAPS and Mr. Christian Trimua, Minister for HR of Togo.

The forum, which allowed for hybrid participation, both physically at 2 Février meeting hall, Lomé, Togo and an online via the Zoom digital platform, was attended by the representatives of AU Member States, RECs/RM, AU organs and civil society institutions, victims network, TJ experts, developmental partners, local participants as well as representatives of youth, women. The forum was attended by more than 300 participants both physically and virtually.

For further inquiries, please contact:       

1. Mr. John Ikubaje, Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (AUC) E-mail: GbodiJ@africa-union.org

2. Prof. Eugene Bakama Bope, Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (AUC) E-mail: BakamaE@africa-union.org

3. Ms. Gugu Nonjinge, Center for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR) E-mail:  GNonjinge@csvr.org.za

3. Ms. Yolande Lovi, Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Togo (HCRRUN) E-Mail: loviyolande@gmail.com

For media inquiries, please contact:

Mr. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar | Senior Communication Officer | Information and Communication Directorate | E-mail: GamalK@africa-union.org

Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org
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