Transitional Justice Viable Instrument for Ethiopia’s Durable Peace

Of late, the National Intelligence and Security Council issued a statement, emphasizing the significance of the Transitional Justice Policy which the country has embarked on rectifying injustices inherited from past history. 

Ethiopia is a big country with a population of 120 million and with a diverse range of resources. Nonetheless, the country has not yet attained its aspiration as well as material progress due to its backward political system. It is unfortunate that Ethiopia’s stagnated political practice and divisive discourse has left fundamental issues of the country unanswered for centuries. 

As a result, Ethiopia has endured various transgressions, heinous activities and violation of basic human rights. Those in political authority have thus far disregarded the voices of others by placing the blame on the people they view as violators. 

A series of political systems have not only engulfed the country and its people into a miserable life but also caused serious hostilities and resentment among citizens. Authorities crushed those forces that made demands for change of course, resulting in that disputes were unsettled and transferred to posterity, weakening the statehood of Ethiopia. Such approaches have been dragging the nation for an endless bloodshed, fragmentation, and face the quagmire of poverty. 

As these backlogs of Ethiopia have caused protracted disputes, misunderstandings, and instability, the country should come up with a viable mechanism which could change the state of affairs. 

To this effect, the reformist government of Ethiopia has adopted a Transitional Justice Policy as a viable mechanism to heal the wounds of the victims and avoid resentment which has been the main causes to the instability and underdevelopment of the country. 

In this regard, the current government is striving to write a new history and reversing the centuries-old resentment and hostilities by implementing the Transitional Justice Policy. 

The transitional justice policy which is believed to contribute to sustainable peace, reconciliation and justice in Ethiopia has been developed through extensive consultations with pertinent stakeholders and incorporating international experiences with the objective to avoiding resentment by breaking the dichotomy between the transgressors and the victims. 

One of the bold steps and matured leadership of the Ethiopian government is its move to settle disputes through peaceful means. The Pretoria Peace Agreement is an unprecedented decision of the government.  The peace deal ended the conflict in northern Ethiopia by fostering a culture settling disputes peacefully. This peace agreement signifies a mature and resolute decision to prevent future generations from inheriting a legacy of winners and losers characterized by animosity. By embracing this alternative approach, the nation managed to halt bloodshed and conflict.

By signing of the peace agreement, the government went beyond its obligations stipulated in the accord and implemented a series of measures deemed necessary to cultivate trust and sustain peace. 

Considerable financial resources have been allocated by the government to facilitate financial and economic activities in the Tigray region. Given the substantial benefits of peace, the government has achieved beyond its obligations to heal the wounds inflicted by the conflict. However, this should be considered as a responsibility lies with the government and should not be misconstrued as an act of fear.

In order to expedite the process, a National Rehabilitation Commission has been established. Hence, reconstruction and rehabilitation initiatives have commenced in the Amhara, Afar, and Tigray regions. The government has also established an environment conducive to the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to Amhara, Afar, and Tigray regions. 

Specifically, in compliance with the agreement, it is imperative that the TPLF militants and other armed groups must disarm to address the issues surrounding areas defined by claims of identity and administrative affairs.  

Efforts to restore peace  and resettle those displaced by the war must be ended. Failing to learn from past mistakes is more detrimental than committing an initial error. Without drawing lessons from our past mistakes, it is incumbent upon us to collaborate in subduing those who persist in perpetuating the same problems we face today. We must heed the dire consequences of employing law enforcement without exercising patience, as evident in our recent history.

As it is stipulated in the Pretoria Agreement and enshrined in our Constitution, regional states are prohibited from maintaining armed and organized forces beyond the police and militia required for law enforcement at the state level; they should not exceed this limit. Hence, the disarmament process and associated procedures must be expeditiously implemented in accordance with the Rehabilitation Commission's plan.

In nutshell, the Transitional Justice policy gives utmost attention to ensure its inclusivity and independence as the overall preparation involved 60 consultation sessions with regional stakeholders and another 20 sessions at the national level to gather inputs to improve the contents of the policy document. 

The policy has been issued with the objective of laying out the system in which a transitional justice can be secured to bring forth sustainable peace, reconciliation, prevalence of law and order, justice and democracy. For its successful implementation, several instruments will be employed including criminal investigation, putting the culprits before the courts of law and investigating the truth, forgiveness, compensation and other possible means like introducing reforms in systems.