The Department of Political Affairs (DPA) of the African Union Commission (AUC) will convene a virtual meeting on COVID-19 Pandemic and Transitional Justice in Africa on 3rd June 2020 from 11h00 to 13h00 East African Time. The meeting will be hosted by H.E. Amb. Minata Samate Cessouma, the Commissioner for Political Affairs, African Union Commission and will be organized in collaboration with the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR).

The overall objective of the meeting is to deliberate on the challenges that COVID-19 poses to transitional justice processes and the opportunities that exist therein for Africa for innovation(s). It will also suggest how the AU, its Member States, the RECs/RMs and CSOs are to engage transitional justice during and post COVID-19 pandemic.

The meeting will offer a platform for a reflection on the challenges that the ongoing pandemic poses to effective implementation of transitional justice on the continent and highlight the opportunities that exist to support the implementation of transitional justice Africa. Currently a few African Union Member States are implementing transitional justice. The pandemic has seen some transitional justice processes being postponed and transitional justice mechanism being temporarily closed, in observance of social distancing measures and lockdown regulations. For transitioning countries, the postponement of transitional processes, especially those processes requiring victim involvement and participation, could potentially reverse the gains made in securing sustainable peace, democratic order and promotion of human and peoples’ rights.

It is against this backdrop that the African Union Commission is organizing this event to promote support to countries implementing transitional justice and to ensure the safety and security of citizens in the fight against the pandemic.

Kindly note that prior registration is required for participation. Register in advance for this meeting:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAscuyrqzIrGdUvOgMzLx_KHiPikJFyxW59

For further Information please contact: Mr. John G. Ikubaje, Senior Political Officer, DGHRE|E-mail: GbodiJ@africa-union.org |Tsion Hailemariam, Project Officer (AUHRM)| Department of Political Affairs| African Union Commission Tsionh@africa-union.org;