EXCELLENCIES, DISTINGUISHED EXPERTS,

I am pleased to join our European Union colleagues in welcoming all participants to the 6th AU-EU Transitional Justice Seminar. Let me begin by expressing sincere appreciation to the European Union for its continued partnership in advancing human rights and transitional justice across Africa. This support has significantly contributed to our shared objectives of peacebuilding, human rights promotion, and the strengthening of the rule of law in both regions. It is even more than that. It is only part of the more comprehensive and umbrella EU support for the AU which has made the EU the leading partner of the AU especially in governance, peace and security collaboration.

At our last seminar in Abuja, Nigeria, we reaffirmed our collective commitment to deepening collaboration between our two institutions as well as with the United Nations, while underscoring the importance of sustained political commitment in advancing transitional justice processes through coordinated and inclusive efforts.

Continuing conflict situations and recent developments around the world, are having grave implications for global security and stability; and compromise modest successes in peacebuilding and economic development.. They serve as a reminder that threats to peace in one part of the world have consequences far beyond their immediate context.  These developments reinforce the importance of cooperation and multilateralism for regional and international organizations to remain relevant and advance sustainable solutions, including through transitional justice.

Excellencies, Distinguished Experts,

Happily, over the past three years, the African Union, with the support of the European Union, has advanced an ambitious transitional justice agenda under the Initiative for Transitional Justice in Africa (ITJA) project. With  technical assistance from consortium partners implementing the project, the AU has delivered impactful support in countries such as Ethiopia, The Gambia, CAR, DRC, Lesotho, and South Sudan. These interventions have included support for the development of national transitional justice policies and legislations, institutional capacity-building, and the empowerment of CSOs for them to effectively contribute to transitional justice processes.

 Building on these achievements, other Member States, including Libya, Liberia, Somalia, Uganda and Chad, have expressed interest in receiving relevant technical support. Similarly, regional and sub-regional organizations such as IGAD, ECOWAS, SADC, and the Lake Chad Basin Commission have approached the AU for assistance in developing regional transitional justice frameworks and mechanisms.

These developments send both encouraging and challenging signals. Encouraging because they reflect growing confidence in the work undertaken over the past three years. Challenging, since they require greater resources, renewed commitment, and stronger partnerships to meet the increasing demands.

South Sudan provides a particularly noteworthy example. African Union support to the country's transitional justice process contributed to the adoption of two transitional justice laws which explicitly mandate the AU to play a leading role in the establishment and operationalisation of the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation and Healing (CTRH). It included the nomination of three of its four commissioners. In fulfilment of this mandate, the AU and the UN have now completed the recruitment process for the three designated commissioners.

However, important gaps remain. These include the establishment and operationalisation of national and regional Victim Support Centres to complement the work of the CTRH, as well as the need to strengthen the capacity of victim-led groups, women and girls, youth, and community leaders to engage meaningfully with these mechanisms and benefit fully from their work.

But challenges are also in themselves opportunities to be leveraged to enhance our collaboration and be more impactful in building resilience.

Recently, the African Union adopted a revised Roadmap for the Implementation of the African Union Transitional Justice Policy. This roadmap incorporates emerging transitional justice priorities such as climate justice, mental health and psychosocial support, while strengthening existing commitments, including meaningful participation of women and youth in transitional justice processes. It serves as an important guide for both the AU and its partners in shaping future interventions and identifying priority areas for support.

Excellencies, Distinguished Colleagues,

Let me at this point express our deep appreciation to the International Centre for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) for its technical and logistical support in successfully organising this seminar. I would like to also acknowledge the crucial  contributions of the the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR) and the African Transitional Justice Legacy Fund (ATJLF) to the implementation of the ITJA project over the past three years. This collaboration has delivered tangible benefits and has proved to be immensely valuable to all stakeholders.

I also wish to acknowledge the commitment of the distinguished transitional justice experts from Africa and Europe who are offering their expertise and insights as we collectively address emerging challenges and opportunities. Your contributions, among others, continue to inform policy development and reform efforts in pursuit of lasting peace, justice, and sustainable development.

And to our EU partners, we reiterate our deepest appreciation for your unwavering support not only in the field of transitional justice, but also in advancing human rights, good governance, and the rule of law. This partnership remains essential to the realisation of the aspirations of Agenda 2063 - The Africa We Want.

On this note, while we focus on this year’s seminar theme, may we do at least 3 things:

-      Continue to prioritise and enhance comprehensive and local approaches to Transitional Justice  processes that are fit for purpose and positively  transformative for communities;

-      have our focus on lessons learned reviews for effective state and resilience building, especially at local level;

-      State building that leverages cross-border, regional and inter-continental mechations for enhanced national resilience within shared global security and progress.  And it is important to note that the 2028 AU theme of the year is: Human Rights, Democracy and Governance. Hopefully, it would add impetus to our ongoing efforts. I therefore wish us all productive and fruitful discussions.

Thank you.

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