6th forum on transitional justice in Africa: The Togolese experience shared in Lomé
The Sixth African Transitional Justice Forum officially opened on 7 September 2022 at the Hôtel 2 Février in Lomé. Co-organized by the African Union (AU), the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR) and the High Commission for Reconciliation and Strengthening of National Unity (HCRRUN), the forum brought together around one hundred participants from across the African continent to exchange experiences and reflect on the theme: “Transitional Justice and Social Capital in Africa.”
The programme featured a series of thematic panel discussions addressing key issues, including emerging political transitions and changes of government and their contribution to development and social transformation in Africa, regional mechanisms for transitional justice, and the participation of marginalized groups in transitional justice processes.
Opening the forum, the Minister for Human Rights, Institutional Relations and Relations with the Institutions of the Republic, Mr Christian TRIMUA, emphasized that transitional justice, as an innovative approach to reconciliation, democratic governance and peacebuilding, must continue to respond to emerging challenges that threaten social stability and undermine socio-economic progress.
He welcomed the choice of Togo as the host country, noting that the Togolese people have gained valuable experience in confronting the challenges associated with healing the wounds of the past, combating impunity and strengthening the foundations of democracy through dialogue and reconciliation.
In her address, the President of HCRRUN, Mrs Awa NANA-DABOYA, paid tribute to the political commitment of the President of the Republic, whose leadership, she noted, had made it possible to establish and operationalize the key transitional justice mechanisms chosen by Togo to promote truth, justice, reparation, reconciliation and national unity.
The forum also provided HCRRUN with an opportunity to present Togo’s experience in implementing transitional justice and to strengthen dialogue with African institutions and practitioners working to promote sustainable peace, reconciliation and social cohesion across the continent.
