The African Union Transitional Justice Policy: Tackling the Legacies of Previous Human Rights Violations, Conflict, and Instability.

The African Union (AU) Transitional Justice Policy is a comprehensive framework designed to guide African countries in addressing the legacies of past human rights violations, conflict, and instability. Established to provide an African-led approach to the pursuit of justice, reconciliation, and healing, this policy focuses on the need for a just and fair transition after periods of political unrest, armed conflict, and authoritarian rule. The policy serves as a critical instrument for AU member states, providing them with guidance on addressing the complex issues associated with transitioning from conflict to peace while ensuring accountability, promoting healing, and fostering long-term stability.

African societies have been navigating transitional processes for decades as they seek to confront the traumas of slavery, colonialism, apartheid, systematic repression, and civil wars. Since the 1990s, transitional justice (TJ) processes have been initiated in several African countries as they endeavour to address the legacies of violent conflicts and/or periods marked by systemic or gross violations of human and peoples’ rights. The AUTJP serves as an African model and mechanism for tackling not only the legacies of conflicts and violations but also governance deficiencies and developmental challenges, aiming to advance the noble goals of the AU’s Agenda 2063, The Africa We Want.