From Allafrica · · 1m 40s
Ethiopia's Transitional Justice Process Resumes
Ethiopia restarts transitional justice but must recalibrate after pause.
In brief
Ethiopia restarts transitional justice but must recalibrate after pause. Ethiopia should resume transitional justice by incorporating National Dialogue recommendations and addressing gaps without restarting from where it left off. Originally reported by Allafrica.
Ethiopia's transitional justice process
Ethiopia's Ministry of Justice launched a government-civil society platform on transitional justice on 23 October 2026.
Process paused in April 2025
The transitional justice process stalled in April 2025 with no official explanation.
National Dialogue recommendations
National Dialogue Commission's recommendations submitted to Parliament on 3 October 2026.
First priority: review recommendations
The Ministry of Justice should establish a committee to review National Dialogue implications for transitional justice policy.
Three ways recommendations affect justice
Recommendations may affect transitional justice through explicit proposals, other thematic areas, or broader reforms.
Second priority: address gaps
The existing framework had shortcomings in legal dispute resolution and accountability for foreign perpetrators.
Mental health support hidden
Mental health and psychosocial support are currently hidden under the reparations pillar.
Third priority: fulfill commitments
The coordination mechanism for transitional justice is yet to be established.
Fourth priority: evolving landscape
Regional transitional justice initiatives advanced during the pause including Tigray Genocide Commission findings.
Customary courts expanded
Ethiopia established thousands of customary courts across several regions.
Two key measures for credibility
Independent experts should participate alongside Ministry of Justice experts and draft laws shared in advance.
Resumption should include oversight
Resumption should kick off with independent monitoring, parliamentary oversight and civil society participation.
What happens next
Ethiopia must recalibrate and resume transitional justice by incorporating National Dialogue recommendations and addressing gaps.
The key point
Ethiopia should resume transitional justice by incorporating National Dialogue recommendations and addressing gaps without restarting from where it left off.
