Reclaiming African Traditions in Transitional Justice: With Some Reflections on Sudan
Posted: 15 June, 2023 Filed under: Bobuin Jr Valery Gemandze Oben | Tags: African traditions, African Union Transitional Justice Policy, Africaness, authoritarian rule, democratic consolidation, democratic transition, institutional mechanisms, military coup, Omar Al Bashar, ransitional Justice, Rapid Support Forces, Sovereign Council, Sudan, Sudanese Armed Forces, Truth Commissions, violent extremism Leave a comment
Author: Bobuin Jr Valery Gemandze Oben
Advocacy Specialist, Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation
Introduction
Following the much heralded third wave of democratisation which swept across Africa in the 1990’s, there was optimism that the continent was making a conscious and considerable shift towards democratic consolidation founded on the rule of law and the respect for human rights. Fast-forward almost three decades later and the major headlines across the continent portray conflict, instability and authoritarianism. April was Freedom Month in South Africa, commemorating the first democratic elections held in the country in 1994. As time goes by, much significance has been attached to these celebrations as it reflects the country’s journey towards justice, equality, and dignity from a divisive apartheid-construed society. Transitional justice played a key role in this journey. Most importantly its tools could be used to address conflict, violent extremism and authoritarian rule, issues which are currently plaguing the continent. One of such situations is the ongoing conflict in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) which degenerated in April.
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