Ethiopia: Transitional Justice in Tigray

 Ethiopia Insight published on 17 December 2025 a commentary titled "Why Transitional Justice for Tigray Is a Fiction" by Gidey Amare, a public servant in the health sector.

The Pretoria Agreement section on transitional justice for Tigray was predicated on the idea that the Ethiopian federal government, which was accused of many of the violations, would investigate itself.  The author argues that this was never realistic and the current policy cannot deliver justice for Tigray.  

UN Human Rights Report on South Sudan

 The UN Human Rights Council published on 29 February 2024 an unedited version of its "Report of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan." 

The report details a range of human rights violations, abuses, and related crimes, including systematic political repression and economic predation by political elites.  Women continue to endure pervasive discrimination, inequality, sexual violence, and sexual slavery.  Children suffer egregious violations, arising from the ongoing insurgency and resurgent subnational violence, fueled by local and national elites.

Transitional Justice in Somalia

 The Heritage Institute for Policy Studies published in January 2024 a study titled "Transitional Justice in Clan-based Societies: Case Study Somalia" by Yusuf Hassan.

After decades of civil war, Somalia stands on the precipice of recovery.  Yet, Somalia's path to recovery remains precariously balanced.  Tribal violence and extremist ideologies continue to ripple through the country, and political factions, intractably entangled in ceaseless power struggles threaten the fragile momentum.  A fundamental shift in approach is needed to solidify Somalia's path towards recovery and stability.  

Ethiopia: Atoning for Violence

 Foreign Affairs published on 15 November 2023 an article titled "Can Justice Bring Peace to Ethiopia: How to Heal Divisions After Decades of War" by Patrick Vinck, Tadesse Simie Metekia, Geoff Dancy, Kathryn Sikkink, and Phuong N. Pham.  

The authors conducted a nationwide survey of more than 6,600 randomly selected Ethiopian adults in June and July 2023.  They found that more than 90 percent of Ethiopians said it would be unacceptable to move forward without truth seeking, trials, or reparations.  They differed sharply, however, on what timeframe to focus on and who should lead the effort.  There were marked regional differences in Ethiopians' preferences for types of trials.  

International Criminal Court Opens New Investigation on Atrocities in Sudan's Darfur

 The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court issued on 13 July 2023 a statement to the UN Security Council on the situation in Darfur.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has been investigating crimes in Sudan's Darfur region since 2005.  The Prosecutor of the ICC announced on 13 July that the Court has begun investigating new allegations of atrocities, including allegations that the Rapid Support Forces have killed Masalit women and children.  

Accontability Not Likely in Ethiopia

 Ethiopia Insight published on 23 May 2023 a commentary titled "Justice for Atrocity Victims in Ethiopia Is a Pipedream" by Eyob Tilahun Abera, Mekelle University.

Ethiopian domestic law is unsuited to achieving accountability for atrocities.  The absence of justice and accountability for past atrocities contributes to the problem.  Even an international effort faces massive obstacles.

US Declares War Crimes in Ethiopia, Which Addis Ababa Rejects

 The U.S. State Department issued a statement dated 20 March 2023 titled "War Crimes, Crimes Against Humanity, and Ethnic Cleansing in Ethiopia" by Antony J. Blinken.

The statement determined that members of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces, Eritrean Defense Forces, Tigray People's Liberation Front forces, and Amhara forces committed war crimes during the conflict in northern Ethiopia.  The United States will partner with Ethiopia as it implements a credible transitional justice process for the benefit of all victims and affected communities.  

The Washington Post published on 21 March 2023 an article titled "U.S. Finds Ethiopian Troops Committed Crimes against Humanity" by Missy Ryan.  

The article says the Biden administration is moving cautiously as it seeks to repair strains with Ethiopia that resulted during the civil war in Ethiopia.  Officials in Ethiopia warned Washington to stay out of its internal affairs.  

The Voice of America published on 21 March 2023 an article titled "Ethiopia Rejects US Accusation of War Crimes as Inflammatory" by Maya Misikir.  

Ethiopia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs subsequently issued a statement rejecting the US allegation, adding that it "unfairly proportions blame" and is inflammatory and untimely.

Ethiopia: Will US National Interests Trump Accountability?

 Foreign Policy published on 14 March 2023 a commentary titled "Ethiopia Is Not Ready for Transitional Justice" by Seifudein Adem, Doshisha University, and Abadir M. Ibrahim, Harvard Law School.  

The authors argue that Ethiopia is unprepared for implementing a transitional justice process in the aftermath of a brutal civil war.  The United States may be setting itself up to reengage with Ethiopia on the grounds of national interest  that trump accountability for atrocities during the war.  

Podcast on Life in Capital of Tigray Region Today

 British public broadcast service Channel 4 News posted on 13 January 2023 a 7 minute podcast titled "Will Ethiopia Peace Deal Improve Situation in Tigray?"

The podcast looks at the current situation in Mekelle, capital of Tigray Region, and the impact of the civil war and ceasefire on life in the city.  

Will Ethiopia's Peace Deal Last?

 Foreign Policy published on 19 December 2022 a commentary titled "Will Ethiopia's Peace Deal Last?" by Addisu Lashitew, McMaster University, Stefan Dercon, University of Oxford, Christian Meyer, University of Oxford, and Mehari Taddele Maru, European University Institute in Florence.

A panel of experts question if the Ethiopian peace deal will stand the test of time.  Will Abiy Ahmed's ambitious reform agenda get back on track? Will there be economic stability? Will there be accountability for the perpetrators of war crimes during the conflict?

Accountability for War Crimes in Ethiopia Necessary for Permanent Peace

 Aljazeera published on 13 December 2022 an opinion piece titled "Justice in Ethiopia Must Not Be Killed By a Peace Deal" by Mehari Taddele Maru.

Accountability for all war crimes in Ethiopia is essential if there is to be real peace.  

Call for Human Rights Accountability in Ethiopia

 Just Security published on 3 November 2022 a commentary titled "Only Holding All to Account in Ethiopia Will Ensure Its Survival" by Mehari Taddele Maru and David Del Conte.

The authors argue there must be accountability for the human rights atrocities in Ethiopia or there will be no lasting peace.  

Lessons from a Decade of South Sudanese Independence

 The Africa Center for Strategic Studies published on 29 June 2021 an analysis titled "Lessons from a Decade of South Sudanese Statehood" by Luka Biong Deng Kuol.  

So much went wrong in South Sudan over the past 10 years of independence but many South Sudanese are still proud that they at least have a country of their own that they can fix one day. 

Status of UN Security Council Mandate in South Sudan (in English and French)

 The International Peace Institute, Security Council Report, and Stimson Center published in February 2021 a report titled "Prioritization and Sequencing of Security Council Mandates: The Case of UNMISS" by Victoria K. Holt and Julie Gregory.  

Nearly one year after the creation in South Sudan of a transitional government in February 2020, the main pillars of the June 2018 permanent cease fire and September 2018 peace agreement continue to hold, but their implementation has progressed at a worryingly slow pace.

The report is also available in French.  

Georgetown Student Becomes Sudan's Justice Minister

The Washington Post Magazine published on 9 February 2020 a story titled "The Georgetown Student Who Became Justice Minister of Sudan" by Rebecca Hamilton.

Nasredeen Abdulbari was working on his PhD dissertation at Georgetown University when he received a text message from a civil society leader in Khartoum asking him to call urgently. He made the call and learned that he had been nominated to become the new minister of justice. A month later, he returned to Khartoum to assume the position. This story recounts what has happened subsequently.

Is Justice Possible during South Sudan's Civil War?

The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) published on 15 March 2018 a commentary titled "Is Justice Possible during South Sudan's Civil War?" by Peter Fabricius, ISS consultant.

Based on two recent death sentences, including one for a South African national, handed down recently by a court in Juba, the author suggests that probably no one is getting real justice in South Sudan.

Promoting Justice in South Sudan

The Institute for Security Studies published in September 2017 a report titled "How the AU Can Promote Transitional Justice in South Sudan" by Amanda Lucey and Liezelle Kumalo.

The African Union (AU) is mandated to help South Sudan to ensure accountability for past human rights abuses through the establishment of a hybrid court. The report suggests ways the AU can more broadly assist in enabling an effective transitional strategy for the country.

Africa and the Rule of Law

The Washington-based World Justice Project has released its annual Rule of Law Index for 2016. It considers 44 factors in constructing the index.

In 2016, it ranked 113 countries, including 21 in Africa. The highest ranked African country was South Africa at number 43 followed by Ghana (44), Botswana (45), and Senegal (46). The lowest ranked African countries were Kenya (100), Uganda (105), Ethiopia (107), Zimbabwe (108), Cameroon (109), and Egypt (110).

South Sudan and National Unity

The Juba-based Sudd Institute published on 18 May 2017 a study titled "The State of the South Sudanese National Unity" by Abraham Awolich, Nhial Tiitmamer, and Augustino Ting Mayai, all with the Sudd Institute.

The study discusses the state of South Sudan's national unity. Some 75 percent of respondents suggested that South Sudan currently suffers the absence of national unity; this results from prevailing lack of a sense of common purpose, justice, and inclusive and functioning social contract between the state and the people.

Law and Justice in Eritrea

Good Governance Africa published on 1 December 2015 a commentary titled "Rule by Fear: The Absence of Law Has Extinguished All Justice in this East African Country" by Richard Poplak, a freelance journalist.

The author argues that until Eritrea introduces constitutionally protected rule of law the situation will not improve.