From the 12th to the 14th of September, in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco, ECES participated in the Seventh Edition of the African Transitional Justice Forum: “Inclusive and Participatory Governance, Gender Equality and Socio-Economic Justice in Africa”, along with scholars, researchers, practitioners, policymakers, representatives of national human rights institutions, civil society organizations working on Transitional Justice issues in Africa.
This event is supported by ECES in the framework of the Pro Electoral Integrity project, second phase, a project in Support of Electoral Integrity in Africa. This project is funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation through the Italian-African Peace Facility (IAPF) Instrument, focusing on Conflict-prevention and Post Conflict Peace-building, and honouring the existing partnership between ECES and the African Union Commission’s Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (AUC-PAPS).
This important multi-stakeholder platform is organised by the AUC-PAPS, the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR) and the National Human Rights Council of Morocco (CNDH). The goal of the event is to review the state of Transitional Justice (TJ) in Africa by identifying emerging issues that present new opportunities for transitional justice theory, practice, and policy interventions.
In line with the AU Theme of the Year and the Commemoration of 20 years of the Maputo Protocol and the 60th anniversary of the OAU, the 7th Edition of the Forum will focus on Inclusive and Participatory Governance, Gender Equality and Socio-Economic Justice in Africa. It will also pay particular attention to other emerging issues, progress, and best practices in addressing these issues, thus further pushing the boundaries of transitional justice to provide solutions, shape approach(es) and build tools to address them.
Our Executive Director, Fabio Bargiacchi represented ECES at the forum, and proudly participated to the opening ceremony of the event before the various panels Inclusive and Participatory Governance, Gender Equality and Socio-Economic Justice in Africa took place. He presented his condoleances regarding the recent earthquake which struck the country on the 9th of September and expressed his solid support for the event:
"First of all I would like on behalf of ECES and Italy who is co funding this activity, our deepest condolences to the people of the Kingdom of Morocco for the earthquake that costed unfortunately a lot of lives and damages only few days ago.(…) We are here today to dialogue and confront on the topic of: “Inclusive and Participatory Governance, Gender Equality and Socio-Economic Justice in Africa”. I am sure that with the comparative and sharing of experience that you are bringing from all over the Continent and the knowledge sharing opportunity that this forum is, in the upcoming 3 days interesting and important practices will be shared.”