Three Decades of Transitional Justice Practice in Africa: Reflections on Lessons Learnt Towards an African Transformative Justice

Abstract

ABSTRACT The transitional justice field has shown great versatility in its response to the consequences of conflicts, dealing with human rights violations, addressing legacies of the past and tackling emerging issues and vulnerabilities. This editorial reflects on Africa’s three decades of implementing transitional justice with a focus on key lessons learnt and their contribution to the betterment of transitional justice offering on the continent. The editorial discusses an African transformative justice as codified in the African Union Transitional Justice Policy as responsive, resonant and contextually relevant to the lived realities on the continent. The editorial argues that the African Union Transitional Justice Policy is the embodiment of lessons learnt from transitional justice practice on the continent and demonstrates the adaptability and expansion of the frontiers of transitional justice to address emerging issues as well as both historical legacies and most recent violations.