Alternative Implementation Strategies for Ethiopian Transitional Justice Policy: Towards Silencing the Gun

Abstract

Over the last few years, Ethiopia has witnessed a gamut of mass atrocity and violence. Following the 2022 Agreement for Lasting Peace and Cessation of Hostilities signed by the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Tigray Peoples’ Liberation Front, also referred to as the Pretoria Agreement, the Ethiopian government committed itself to lift the country out of the crisis and recently adopted a nation-wide Transitional Justice Policy. The transitional justice policy promised to address past violations and bring about a more just and peaceful society. While adopting a Transitional Justice (TJ) Policy can be a stepping stone, it cannot bring the desired sustainable peace unless backed by a strong political commitment, capacity and a fertile ground for its implementation. Against this backdrop, this piece seeks to contribute to the ongoing debates in relation to how, and the extent to which, the adopted transitional justice policy could serve the desired purpose. In so doing, the paper makes a content analysis of relevant policy instruments as primary source of data and other literatures as secondary sources. The paper finds that the transitional justice policy of Ethiopia has a potential to create a conducive environment for building a sustainable peace and stability in the country. However, there are several challenges that may arise during the implementation of the policy. The transitional justice commission will need to work closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure that the challenges are addressed and that the process is successful.

Keywords: Ethiopia, implementation, Transitional justice policy, sustainable peace

DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/147-04

Publication date: March 28^th 2025