AU, EU Launch ICTJ-Led Initiative to Implement Africa's Transitional Justice Policy
The launch of ITJA brought together government officials, policymakers, transitional justice practitioners, civil society representatives, and other stakeholders
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia-The African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) have officially launched a comprehensive three-year project, the Initiative for Transitional Justice in Africa (ITJA), to provide support to AU member states in integrating the African Union Transitional Justice Policy (AUTJP) and initiating transitional justice efforts at the national level, writes Baboloki Semele.
The project is coordinated by a consortium led by the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ), the African Transitional Justice Legacy Fund (ATJLF), and the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR). The EU has allocated €5 million in funding for this initiative.
The launch of ITJA brought together government officials, policymakers, transitional justice practitioners, civil society representatives, and other stakeholders to review the project's foundational components and encourage active participation.
Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, stressed the importance of promoting transitional justice, asserting that it is essential for permanent conflict resolution in Africa.
He highlighted the initiative's efforts to train more people, especially youth and women, on transitional justice issues, contributing to reconciliation and dialogue at sub-national, national, regional, and continental levels.
H.E. Roland Kobia, European Union Ambassador to Ethiopia, emphasized the significance of democratic governance, justice, and accountability as crucial pillars for conflict prevention and resolution.
He expressed the EU's strong partnership with the African Union and its support for the AU Transitional Justice Policy and member states.
The AU's Transitional Justice Policy offers comprehensive guidance for establishing and implementing effective and credible transitional justice processes, based on African values and international norms.
The ITJA aims to assist stakeholders at the national and local levels in implementing the policy, providing technical support, capacity building, and raising awareness about the AUTJP.
The initiative significantly addresses ongoing violent conflicts and human rights violations in African countries.
It seeks to empower civil society actors, including victims' groups, women's organisations, and youth groups, to participate in shaping and monitoring transitional justice processes, to address the needs of victims and prevent future conflicts and abuses.