HCRRUN Achieves Its 2022 Objectives: 3,361 Victims Receive Reparations Totalling CFAF 2,556,120,000

The High Commission for Reconciliation and Strengthening of National Unity (HCRRUN) held its annual review conference on 22 December 2022 in Lomé. The event provided an opportunity to present the institution’s achievements during 2022, review the implementation of its programmes and share its financial results with the public.

Throughout the year, HCRRUN organized several individual compensation sessions in the Kara, Plateaux, Maritime and Central Regions. These operations enabled 3,361 victims to receive reparations, representing a total amount of CFAF 2,556,120,000.

As part of the Community Reparations Programme, and in implementation of Recommendation No. 54 of the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (CVJR), HCRRUN completed the construction of two school buildings in the village of Pouwedeou, in Sotouboua Prefecture. With a total investment of CFAF 47,551,382, this infrastructure responds to a priority need identified by the beneficiary communities and contributes to improving access to education for children in Pouwedeou and the surrounding localities.

Another significant milestone in 2022 was the launch of the Scholarship Programme for Orphans of Victims of the 2005 Socio-Political Events. Under the programme, 158 children began receiving monthly educational assistance of CFAF 21,000 for a period of five years. During the initial phase of implementation, HCRRUN committed a total of CFAF 18,459,000 to support the beneficiaries.

HCRRUN also strengthened its international visibility through the organization in Lomé of the Sixth African Transitional Justice Forum, in partnership with the African Union (AU) and the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR). The forum brought together nearly 300 participants from across the African continent and provided an important platform for sharing Togo’s experience in implementing transitional justice, while highlighting the progress achieved in the country’s reconciliation and reparations process.

In her address, the President of HCRRUN, Mrs Awa NANA-DABOYA, welcomed the results achieved during the year.

“As we report to the people on our activities, HCRRUN can take pride in the progress made during the year. According to the statistics presented by our experts, 3,361 victims received reparations in 2022 under the fifth phase of implementation of the Reparations Programme. The beneficiaries’ satisfaction rate, measured on the basis of their assessment of the services provided, stands at 98.87%. These same statistics also show that, between December 2017 and December 2022, a total of 23,639 victims benefited from the Reparations Programme.”

These achievements reflect HCRRUN’s continued commitment to implementing the recommendations of the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission and to promoting reparation, reconciliation and lasting social cohesion throughout Togo.