Human Rights In Central Africa: Advocating Restorative Justice

In the face of multiple crisis within communities and between States, governments, human rights institutions and other stakeholders within the Central Africa sub region are encouraging restorative justice as the way forward. This is a process focusing on repairing harm, fostering accountability, and healing relationships rather than merely punishing offenders. It brings together victims, offenders, and the community to address the impact of wrongdoing, often through voluntary dialogue and mediation. The two-day regional consultation workshop on transitional justice in Central Africa that began in Yaounde yesterday April 23 and concludes today thus seeks to develop an action plan for the implementation of the African Union Transitional Justice Policy, tailored to the realities of the sub region. Strengthening the capacity of State and non-state actors in designing, implementing and monitoring transitional justice mechanisms, sharing best practices and lessons learned in the abovementioned field, and fostering regional collaboration amongst stakeholders for sustained and long-term impact are other objectives of the Yaounde gathering that brings together government officials and partner institutions supporting the promotion and protection of human rights. Chairing the opening session of the meeting, the Minister Delegate to the Minister of Justice, Jean de Dieu Momo, said the sub region needs sovereign decisions for peace, justice and stability. To him, transitional justice is an option of consolidating the authority of the State, reaffirming the engagement to combating impunity and protecting the rights of citizens. To the Minister, transitional just rather seeks to reconcile communities and people, rather than punishing them. “It is not a punitive form of justice but rather a reconciliatory form of justice that seeks to reconcile people in conflicts as is the case with the North West and South West Regions,” the Minister stated. He cited the Presidential Plan for the Reconstruction and Development of the two regions which has three main pillars; rehabilitating basic infrastructure, revamping the economy and promo...