The 8th Edition of the African Transitional Justice Forum concludes in Port Louis

Press Release No: /2024 Date: 13 September 2024 | Venue: Port Louis, Mauritius

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) organised the 8th Edition of the African Transitional Justice Forum from September 11 to 12, 2024, in Port Louis, Mauritius.

The Forum is an annual multi-stakeholder platform that evaluates the state of Transitional Justice (TJ) in Africa to advance the implementation of the African Union Transitional Justice Policy (AUTJP) in Africa. In line with the AU Theme of the Year, “Educate an African fit for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa”, the participants of the 8th Edition of the Forum delved into the critical nexus between TJ and Education, exploring how these twin pillars can catalyse positive change, foster reconciliation and transformative justice, and fortify societies for a brighter future in line with the theme’s goal to build resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa.

At the opening ceremony of the Forum, Ms Patience Chiradza, AU Director for Governance and Conflict Prevention, stated: “When applied to education, Transitional Justice can help to transform a society by addressing historical injustices, fostering inclusivity and promoting a culture of human rights”.

“The three decades of transitional justice practice on the continent impose on us the need to reflect on the successes, challenges, and the role of learning and education in mobilising societies and communities for peace, building resilience, and empowering the future”, said Mr Tefo Raditapole, Chairperson of the Board of the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation.

Officially opening the Forum, The Honourable Maneesh Gobin, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, and Attorney General of the Republic of Mauritius stressed: “If we are to adopt policy measures and institutional mechanisms to overcome cases of post conflict divisions and inequalities, we have to incorporate education in the policy making.”

This multi-stakeholder platform brought together AU Member States, National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), AU organs, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), TJ researchers, practitioners, experts, victim networks, academia, and civil society actors, among others, to deliberate on the state of TJ in Africa to strengthen TJ mechanisms and practices.

The 2-day Forum discussions were focused on sub-themes that made up various panel discussions: Keynote Address: Three Decades of TJ in Africa: Reflections on Successes, Challenges, and the Role of Education in Building a Lasting Peace, Learning Resilience, and Empowering the Future by Professor Gilbert Khadiagala, Professor of International Relations and Director of the Centre for the Study of the United States at the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa, followed by Eight Sessions: 1. State of TJ in Africa: Unpacking Challenges and Successes of TJ Mechanisms in Diverse African Contexts, 2. Aligning and Exploring Education Strategies for Peaceful Societal Transformation and Democratic Consolidation in TJ Contexts With AU Agenda 2063, 3. Successes, Lessons, and Recommendations for Global Development: Opportunities for Future Research on Unlocking the Full Potential of TJ, 4. Addressing Historical Injustices and Promoting Inclusivity via Educational and Transformative Approaches to Gender Equality, Peace, and Security, 5. The Role of Legal Institutions in Ensuring
Accountability for Atrocities, Particularly as Concerns Institutional Reforms and Innovative Educational Initiatives that Promote Inclusivity and Reconciliation, 6. Equipping Youth with Skills for Building Resilient Societies and Success Stories of Young Leaders from Post-Conflict Societies. 7. The Role of Education in Restoring Communities After Mass Human Rights Violations, and 8. Collaborative Effort Between Government, NGOs, RECs, and International Organisations in Building Partnerships for Sustainable Peace and Development – Best Practices and Lessons Learned

Making his interventions virtually, H.E. Mr Adama Dieng, AU Special Envoy for the Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities in Africa, highlighted: “States have the primary responsibility to protect their citizens and ensure their well-being.

If they fail in this duty, they lose the moral authority to claim taxes. When national institutions fail to protect civilians, regional and international justice mechanisms must step in to uphold international accountability.”

After two days of extensive discussions, The Honorable Leela Devi Dookun, Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Education, Tertiary Education, Science & Technology of Mauritius officially closed the Forum. Port Louis Declaration/Outcomes Document was presented just before the closing.