The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU), at its 525^th meeting on 23 July 2015,, held an open session, dedicated to the theme: “Peace, Justice and Reconciliation in Post-Conflict Societies in Africa’’.

Council took note of the presentation by Dr. Solomon A. Dersso, Commissioner at the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR). Council also took note of statements made by AU Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), bilateral and multilateral partners and international organizations/institutions, as well as by Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and women’s organizations.

Council recognized the importance of the open session with regards to finding a common position and understanding of the complementarity between peace, justice and reconciliation in the field of conflict resolution, peace-making, peace building and peacekeeping on the African continent.

Council noted that Africa has been devastated by slavery, colonialism, and institutionalized segregation, which have resulted in the continuing pervasive violent conflicts on the continent. In this regard, Council expressed zero tolerance for impunity and underscored the imperative of balancing the objectives of peace, justice and reconciliation, within a mutually reinforcing approach, so as to avoid giving priority to one objective over the other. Council underlined the need careful consideration to be given to the sequencing of peace, reconciliation and justice.

Council recognized that truth, reparations, amnesty, and accountability are important in the pursuance of peace, reconciliation and justice. In this regard, Council stressed that mechanisms for peace, reconciliation and justice must be tailored in accordance with the peculiar situation of each country. Council further stressed the need for the active involvement of women in peace, reconciliation and justice processes with a view to enhancing conflict prevention and resolution, as well as post-conflict reconstruction efforts.

Council emphasized the primary responsibility of governments in ensuring peace, justice and reconciliation, and underscored the importance of political will and compromise in peace negotiations and that all parties should strive towards a win-win situation, within the spirit of the principle of “No-Victor, No-Vanquished”.

Council emphasized that the culture of national reconciliation will significantly contribute towards enriching the African shared values and addressing the challenge of managing and respecting diversity as the basis of national cohesion and the entrenchment of democracy. In this regard, Council urged Member States to show greater sense of responsibility and strong commitment to national reconciliation processes with a view to contributing towards the realization of a peaceful, integrated and prosperous continent. Council recalled the decision of the 22^nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU Heads of State and Government, which declared 2014-2024 as the Madiba Nelson Mandela Decade of Reconciliation in Africa.

Council underscored the importance of good governance, respect for the rule of law and observance of human rights in the promotion of peace, justice and reconciliation. In this respect, Council noted the progress made by the AU Member States on the ratification and implementation of the AU instruments related to good governance and the protection of human rights and encouraged Member States, which have not done so, to sign, ratify, and domesticate these relevant AU instruments. Council also emphasized the need to work toward the objective of silencing the guns in Africa by 2020, pursuant to the Solemn Declaration adopted by the 21^st Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union on the occasion of the OAU/AU 50^th Anniversary. In this regard, Council urged Member States to commit to the overall socio-economic development objectives of the AU and address root causes of conflict so as to realize an Africa free of violent conflicts a prerequisite for the implementation of the Continent’s development and integration agenda.

Council stressed the need for an AU framework on national peace, reconciliation and justice, building on relevant instruments, such as the AU Policy Framework on Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development, and initiatives taken in this respect, including those of the Panel of the Wise, with a view to guiding efforts deployed at national, regional and continental levels in the promotion of peace, justice and reconciliation.

Council looked forward to the immediate adoption of the AU Transitional Justice Policy Framework, as recommended by the Panel of the Wise.

Council agreed that the theme “Peace, Reconciliation and Justice” must be -a standing item on the Indicative Annual Programme of Activities of the PSC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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