The Department of Political Affairs and Peace and Security (PAPS) at the African Union Commission (AUC), the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR) and the National Human Rights Council of Morocco (CNDH) organized the Seventh Edition of the African Transitional Justice Forum from the 12th to the 14th of September 2023 in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco.

The Forum is an annual multi-stakeholder continental platform to review the state of Transitional Justice (TJ) in Africa and provides guidance for African States on recovering from existing protracted violent conflicts and authoritarian regimes and, in the process, building peace, strengthening democratic governance, and advancing socio-economic development. The AUTJP also guides the AU Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and non-state actors on transitioning from war to peace and from authoritarianism to democracy while avoiding relapse into conflict and instability. The 2023 Forum is convened within a context that presents emerging opportunities and, thus, solutions to anticipated challenges for an impactful transitional justice in Africa. Linking transitional justice, gender equality, and socio-economic justice in Africa, the forum recognizes the interconnectedness of these dimensions, allowing for a more comprehensive and effective approach to achieving lasting peace, equality, and development.

At the opening session of the Forum, the Chairperson of Moroccan Human Rights Commission, Ms Amina Bouayach, welcomed participants and acknowledged the significance of the TJ forum and specifically the theme of inclusive and participatory governance, gender equality and socio-economic Justice in Africa. The Chairperson of the Board of CSVR, Mr. Tefo Raditapole, highlighted the forum’s theme in addressing gendered conflict, authoritarian rule and tackling socio-economic injustice and inequality in African society, and exploring its links with the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.

The Founder and Executive Director of the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES), Mr Fabio Bargiacchi, expressed happiness in his institution’s collaboration with the AU via the Pro electoral Integrity Project, founded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.  Mr Bargiacchi highlighted the project contributions towards supporting states to enhance electoral process integrity.

AU Governance and Conflict Prevention Director, Patience Chiradza, on behalf of the AU PAPS Commissioner Bankole Adeoye, acknowledged the forum's successes over the years and its role in examining the progress of transitional justice in the African context. She urged participants to use transitional justice as a vehicle for transformative equality and institutional reforms.

Representing the Moroccan government, Mr. Muhammed Atlassi, mentioned that the Forum’s theme greatly alignments with the principle of unity that Morocco embraces.

As the Keynote speaker in the Forum, Mr Brian Kagoro commended the AU, CSVR, and participants for their efforts in contributing to reshaping the continent's destiny but emphasized the need for more. Democratizing Africa, he argued, requires democratizing wealth. He emphasized the need for a radical change in mindset toward women's freedom, encompassing political, social, and cultural aspects.

The 3-day discussions were divided into 9 sessions involving 26 panelists and 180 participants who are scholars, researchers, practitioners, policymakers, representatives of national human rights institutions, civil society organizations and other interested participants working on TJ issues in Africa.

For media inquiries, please contact:

1. Ms. Limi Mohammed Shash, Communications Focal person, GCPD, Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security, AUC - E-mail: shashlm@africa-union.org
2. Ms. Gugu Nonjinge, Center for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR) E-mail:  GNonjinge@csvr.org.za
3. Ms Karine Lacasse, National Human Rights Council of Morocco (CNDH) E-mail: k.lacasse@cndh.org.ma

 

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