Members – African Transitional Justice Network

Members Directory

Design, Monitoring and Evaluation Lead

Position:	Design, Monitoring and Evaluation Lead
Organisation / institution:	International Center for Transitional Justice
Bio:	Mateo Porciuncula is a development practitioner, researcher, and ICTJ’s resident design, monitoring, and evaluation expert. He helps ICTJ innovate and build a common understanding of the most appropriate methods and instruments for getting results and assessing program impacts. Mateo has worked in the development field since 2007 and has been involved in most aspects of development aid work, including project and program design, institution building, negotiation, logistics, and, especially, monitoring and evaluation. Before joining ICTJ, he worked for UNDP, the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation, the Pan American Health Organization, and the Development Aid Agency of Uruguay. Mateo holds a master’s degree in Development Evaluation and Management from the Institute of Development Policy at the University of Antwerp and a B.A. in Political Science from the Universidad de la República in Uruguay.
Skills and expertise:	Monitoring and evaluation Program design Qualitative methods Mixed methods Data collection Political Analysis Strategy development Strategic planning Monitoring and evaluation for Transitional Justice Government Policy Analysis Knowledge Management Capacity building on M&E
Reason for membership:	Supporting Transitional Justice in Africa. Making evaluation meaningful and truly helpful for people on the ground.
Location:	New York
Social Media:	https://www.linkedin.com/in/mateo-porciuncula/

NONDO RUGIRA CHRISTIAN

Executive Director

Position:	Executive Director
Organisation / institution:	Action Pour le Developpement des Jeunes au Congo (ADJC)
Bio:	Nondo Rugira Christian is a youth empowerment leader, human rights and gender equality defender, peace and policy advocate, and humanitarian actor. He serves as Executive Director of ADJC (Action Pour le Développement des Jeunes au Congo), where he leads initiatives focused on inclusive education, access to justice, climate resilience, menstrual health education, and community empowerment. He is committed to advancing social justice, youth leadership, gender equality, and sustainable peace, particularly in conflict-affected and underserved communities. Through his work, he promotes local action, civic engagement, and inclusive development for vulnerable populations.
Skills and expertise:	Skills and Expertise Youth Empowerment and Leadership Human Rights Advocacy Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution Policy Advocacy and Civic Engagement Inclusive Education Programming Access to Justice and Community Protection Climate Resilience and Community Adaptation Menstrual Health Education and Awareness Humanitarian Action and Community Outreach Project Design, Coordination, and Implementation Community Mobilization and Capacity Building Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Building Public Speaking and Facilitation Monitoring, Reporting, and Documentation Advocacy Campaigns and Awareness Raising
Reason for membership:	Reason for Membership in the African Transitional Justice Network I am interested in joining the African Transitional Justice Network because I am deeply committed to human rights, peacebuilding, access to justice, and community resilience, particularly in conflict-affected and vulnerable communities. Through my work as Executive Director of ADJC (Action Pour le Développement des Jeunes au Congo), I have been actively engaged in supporting youth empowerment, gender equality, civic participation, and the protection of human dignity. My interest in transitional justice is rooted in the realities faced by many communities in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where conflict, displacement, violence, exclusion, and injustice continue to affect lives and limit opportunities for sustainable peace. I believe transitional justice is essential for promoting truth, accountability, healing, reconciliation, and inclusive recovery. By joining this network, I hope to learn from African experts and practitioners, strengthen my understanding of transitional justice approaches, and contribute grassroots perspectives from local communities. I am particularly interested in how transitional justice can support youth inclusion, women’s rights, peacebuilding, community dialogue, and long-term social transformation. Membership in this network would provide an important platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, advocacy, and capacity strengthening, while also enabling me to contribute to broader African efforts toward justice, peace, and reconciliation.
Location:	Congo kinshasa
Social Media:	http://www.adjcongo.org

Issouf DIABATE

PRESIDENT

Position:	PRESIDENT
Organisation / institution:	Association Noyau DUR pour la Propotion de la Justice Transitionnelle au Mali ( AND-MALI)
Bio:	Issouf DIABATÉ est juriste, consultant et enseignant-chercheur spécialisé dans les questions de gouvernance, de droits humains et de justice transitionnelle. Je coordonne plusieurs initiatives et projets dans ces domaines au Mali et contribue aux réflexions sur les mécanismes de prévention et de gestion des conflits. Actuellement président de l\'association Noyau Dur pour la promotion de la justice transitionnelle au Mali. Je suis titulaire d\'une maîtrise en droit des affaires ainsi que de deux masters : l\'un en droit privé et l\'autre en prévention et gestion des conflits et protection des droits humains.
Skills and expertise:	Expert en justice transitionnelle, spécialisé dans la réconciliation nationale, la gestion des conflits, la promotion des droits humains, les mécanismes traditionnels de justice, l\'analyse des processus de paix, la facilitation de dialogues multi-acteurs, l\'élaboration de projets, le plaidoyer institutionnel et la cohésion sociale.
Reason for membership:	Partages d\'expertises, réseautages, et collaboration active.
Location:	Bamako - MALI
Social Media:	https://www.facebook.com/share/172WK68tAa/

Bwango Issa

Team Leader

Position:	Team Leader
Organisation / institution:	Rwenzori Center for Peace Initiative (CPI) Uganda
Bio:	Bwango Issa is a community development practitioner, peacebuilding advocate, and transitional justice champion from Fort Portal, Uganda. Grounded in both professional training and lived experience, he has devoted his career to the pursuit of reconciliation, social justice, and sustainable peace focusing on the Rwenzori region, whose communities have endured cultural and ethnic divisions since the 1880s. He holds a Bachelor\'s Degree in Social Work and Community Development from Mountains of the Moon University, a foundation that has informed a career spent working closely with vulnerable communities, conflict-affected populations, and young people in search of opportunity and direction. Since 2023, Issa has served as Team Leader at the Rwenzori Center for Peace Initiative, where he leads programs spanning youth empowerment, community dialogue, peacebuilding, and mentorship. He engages directly with the intergenerational trauma and ethnic mistrust that have long fractured communities across the Rwenzori region, drawing on transitional justice principles to create spaces where truth can be spoken, accountability can be pursued, and genuine healing can begin. Before assuming this leadership role, Issa worked with Tugende Together Organisation Uganda as an Assistant Sponsorship Coordinator, providing consistent support to vulnerable children and families through education sponsorship, community assessments, and family outreach. He also volunteered with Rwenzori Forum for Peace and Justice, where he contributed to research, dialogue facilitation, and reconciliation work in communities marked by conflict and social division. Issa carries a firm and personal conviction that peace in the Rwenzori region, and across Uganda broadly, cannot be achieved through silence or avoidance. It must be pursued deliberately through honest dialogue, meaningful youth participation, cultural understanding, and transitional justice processes that place affected communities at the center. This conviction is not incidental to his work. It is the foundation of it.
Skills and expertise:	Over the years, Bwango Issa has developed strong skills in community engagement, leadership, youth mentorship, and programme coordination through hands-on experience working with organisations in western Uganda. His ability to connect with people from different backgrounds has enabled him to lead community dialogues, facilitate trainings, and coordinate programmes focused on peacebuilding, sponsorship, and social transformation. Issa is skilled in research, report writing, documentation, and monitoring community projects. He has experience collecting field data, conducting assessments, and preparing both narrative and financial reports for organisational planning and accountability. His communication skills have also allowed him to contribute to storytelling initiatives, script development, and organisational awareness campaigns. In addition to his field experience, he is proficient in Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as internet communication and mobile technologies across Android and iOS platforms. He is recognised as a dependable team player who can work under minimum supervision while remaining organised and results-oriented. His work around youth empowerment and transitional justice has strengthened his ability to listen, mediate, and engage communities in constructive dialogue. Above all, Issa is passionate about using leadership, creativity, and practical solutions to create lasting social impact.
Reason for membership:	To network and learn more about Transitional Justice for effective policy advocacy efforts
Location:	Fort Portal, Uganda
Social Media:	https://www.linkedin.com/in/bwango-issa-63364b98/

Muad Alsheebani

Lawyer

Position:	Lawyer
Organisation / institution:	Investment group
Bio:	Hello everyone, I am Moad Alsheebani, lawyers from Benghazi-Libya, interesting in humanitarian aid and human rights. Starting from my journey in humanitarian aid I volunteered with Norwegian refugees council with ICLA team and RNA team for one year then I worked with them as staff in ICLA team as technical assistant them I worked with Danish refugee council as legal assistance After working with Danish refugee council I started working as lawyer until now .
Skills and expertise:	Child Protection Case Management Humanitarian & NGO Experience Child Protection Expertise Program Implementation & Coordination Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Capacity Building & Training Stakeholder Engagement Risk Assessment & ManagementCrisis Management & Problem-SolvingLeadership & Team DevelopmentSecurity Systems ManagementCompliance & Legal KnowledgeConflict Resolution & NegotiationProject ManagementCommunication & Stakeholder CoordinationTraining & DevelopmentAnalytical & Strategic ThinkingCultural Sensitivity & Diversity AwarenessAttention to Detail LeadershipTeam building Time Management Creativity Teamwork Active listening Skills management Strong knowledge of international law , human rights, international humanitarian law and refugees law . Familiarity with child protection assessment tools (e.g., CPIMS+, Best Interests Assessments). - Survey tools (Kobo Toolbox, ODK) and data analysis. - Knowledge of international child protection standards (UNCRC, SPHERE). Knowledge Survey tools (Kobo Toolbox, ODK) .
Reason for membership:	It\'s opportunity to contact people from all Africa
Location:	Benghazi-Libya

Robert K Ndiyun

Post-Doctoral Research Fellow

Position:	Post-Doctoral Research Fellow
Organisation / institution:	Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa
Bio:	Independent researcher and lecturer in transitional justice, truth commissions and gender
Skills and expertise:	Independent researcher and lecturer in transitional justice, truth commissions and gender
Reason for membership:	Discuss and share with peers on appropriate transitional justice strategies for the African continent
Location:	Pretoria

Bonsa Mohammed

Assistant Lecturer

Position:	Assistant Lecturer
Organisation / institution:	Borana University
Bio:	Ad astra per aspera!
Skills and expertise:	Research, Legal Writing and Counseling, Human Rights Advocating, and Microsoft Word, and Excel skills
Reason for membership:	Interested in participating and having my fingerprints in African Transitional Justice
Location:	Addis Ababa

Leake Mekonen Tesfay

Lecturer and Researcher of Law

Position:	Lecturer and Researcher of Law
Organisation / institution:	Aksum University School of Law
Bio:	I am a law lecturer with professional experience in both prosecution and the judiciary in Ethiopia. I hold a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from Hawassa University (2009) and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Comparative Public Law and Good Governance from the Ethiopian Civil Service University (now Ethiopian Public Service University) (2014). I have published research in legal journals both in Ethiopia and internationally.
Skills and expertise:	I have experience conducting research and publishing on public law, civil and political rights, criminal law and procedure, and human rights within the justice system. I have also contributed and presented conference papers on the management of diversity and transitional justice. Currently, I am engaged in ongoing research on federalism and transitional justice in Ethiopia, including the potential integration of transitional justice with other peacebuilding interventions such as national dialogue and constitutional reform.
Reason for membership:	The reasons for my membership include an interest in sharing and exchanging research ideas with fellow members, learning from and contributing to the network, convening research workshops, and producing research outputs in collaboration with other members of the network.
Location:	Aksum, Tigray State, Ethiopia
Social Media:	https://www.linkedin.com/in/leake-mekonen-tesfay-138776137/?locale=en

Wemba Miracle

Transitional Justice Research Coordinator

Position:	Transitional Justice Research Coordinator
Organisation / institution:	Amnesty Law Offices
Bio:	I hold an LL.B in Law, LL M in International Law and currently pursuing a PhD in Law on the theme Transitional Justice: A Path to Human Rights Protection and Peace Building in Cameroon. More to that, I am an Advocate-in-Training of the Cameroon Bar Association working with Amnesty Law Offices.
Skills and expertise:	Research /Public speaking /Human Rights monitoring, documenting, reporting and advocacy
Reason for membership:	I have great passion for Transitional Justice and desire to join others with the same passion to learn, grow and develop transitional justice in Africa
Location:	Cameroon
Social Media:	https://www.linkedin.com/in/wemba-miracle-esq-3a3672216?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app

MARGARET AJOK

Transitional Justice Advisor

Position:	Transitional Justice Advisor
Organisation / institution:	Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs
Bio:	Margaret Ajok is a Ugandan Lawyer and Transitional Justice Expert, who is supporting Uganda’s transitional justice and reconciliation efforts at the policy level. She helps to identify the balance between justice, peace, and reconciliation in the formal and non-formal justice systems. In her role as Transitional Justice Advisor, at Uganda’s Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, she led the formulation of the National Transitional Justice Policy, a framework that demonstrates Government of Uganda’s commitment, to address justice, peace and reconciliation needs of post conflict Uganda. The Policy provides holistic interventions intended to help Uganda achieve lasting peace, stability and sustainable development. She is also specialized in international criminal law and human rights, was able to provide technical assistance during Uganda’s first national trial of war crimes and crimes against humanity, in cases involving the Lord’s Resistance Army. During the trials, the Courts were able to admit the participation of victims and adopt a blend of national and international rules of procedure which were non-conventional in Uganda’s criminal trials. She also supports transitional justice efforts at regional level, where she is currently a member of the African Union’s Continental Reference Group on Transitional Justice in Africa and Secretary of the African Union’s Platform on African Women for Transitional Justice (AW4TJ). In her role as Secretary for the African Women for Transitional Justice Platform, she coordinates cooperation and technical assistance efforts to ensure inclusion and meaningful participation of women in Transitional Justice spaces.
Skills and expertise:	Transitional Justice. International law. Policy Formulation and Legislative Drafting. Access to Justice. Peace building, mediation and negotiations. Environmental and Climate Justice. Refugee Protection and Management. Alternative Justice. Human Rights. Gender Justice.
Reason for membership:	As member of the Continental Reference Group on Transitional Justice in Africa, and as an individual with keen interest in conflict and post conflict transformation and redress, i believe this space will create more room for interaction and collective problem solving.
Location:	Uganda
Social Media:	https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-ajok-6153bb48

Heba Assem Mohamed

Advocacy Director

Position:	Advocacy Director
Organisation / institution:	Youth Organization for Research and Justice Advocacy (YORJA)
Bio:	Heba Assem is an Egyptian governance and peacebuilding practitioner with experience supporting the African Union’s Peace and Security Department under the Silencing the Guns initiative. She has experience contributing to AU governance processes, including policy analysis, conflict prevention, and youth engagement. Heba is actively involved in youth-led initiatives and currently serves as Advocacy Director at the Youth Organisation for Research and Justice Advocacy (YORJA), where she contributed to the development of a youth-friendly version of the African Union Transitional Justice Policy and is leading its Arabic translation. She has also supported the translation of the African Youth Charter Hustlers Initiative training curriculum with UNITAR. Heba is a PhD candidate in Peace, Governance and Development and is passionate about strengthening youth participation in governance across Africa.
Skills and expertise:	Governance \| Peacebuilding \| Conflict Prevention \| Early Warning \| Policy Analysis \| Programme Coordination & Implementation \| Media & Situation Monitoring \| Strategic Communication \| Stakeholder Engagement \| M&E \| Transitional Justice \| Intergovernmental Processes \| Facilitation \| Reporting \| Youth Engagement
Reason for membership:	To contribute to strengthening the integration of youth perspectives within transitional justice processes. I am particularly motivated to support efforts that bridge the gap between policy frameworks and their practical implementation, ensuring that transitional justice initiatives are inclusive, context-responsive, and effectively address the needs of affected communities. Through my experience in governance, peacebuilding, and stakeholder engagement, I aim to contribute to more participatory and impactful approaches across the continent.
Location:	Giza, Egypt
Social Media:	https://www.linkedin.com/in/heba-assem-4aa35a151/

Jonathan Yanzee

Executive Director | Youth Transitional Justice and Human Rights Practitioner

Position:	Executive Director \| Youth Transitional Justice and Human Rights Practitioner
Organisation / institution:	Campaign for Human Rights and Developments
Bio:	Jonathan M.D. Yanzee is a Liberian human rights practitioner, youth transitional justice advocate, and civic engagement leader serving as Executive Director of the Campaign for Human Rights and Developments (CHRD). His work focuses on advancing youth inclusion, victims’ participation, civic education, gender-responsive justice, and policy domestication within transitional justice processes in Africa. He has led youth consultations on the African Union Transitional Justice Policy in Liberia, contributed to continental discussions on gender, masculinities, and transitional justice, and supported the development of user-friendly transitional justice frameworks for young people and marginalized communities. Jonathan has engaged with regional and international institutions including the African Union, Impunity Watch, ICTJ, OHCHR, and other human rights platforms to strengthen justice, accountability, peacebuilding, and democratic participation.
Skills and expertise:	Transitional justice policy advocacy; youth and community consultations; victims and marginalized groups engagement; civic education and policy domestication; human rights monitoring and documentation; gender and masculinities in transitional justice; peacebuilding and social cohesion programming; stakeholder dialogue facilitation; research and policy analysis; democratic governance advocacy; child and youth participation frameworks; training and capacity development; public policy communication; restorative justice engagement.
Reason for membership:	I seek membership in the African Transitional Justice Network to deepen collaboration with African practitioners and institutions working to advance locally grounded, inclusive, and youth-responsive transitional justice processes across the continent. My interest is not only to learn from comparative African experiences, but also to contribute field-based perspectives from Liberia on youth participation, civic domestication of the African Union Transitional Justice Policy, victims’ inclusion, and community-centered accountability initiatives. I believe the Network offers an important platform for knowledge exchange, research contribution, policy engagement, and strategic partnership that can strengthen my ongoing work in making transitional justice more accessible, participatory, and impactful for marginalized communities, children, and young people.
Location:	Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa
Social Media:	https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-m-d-yanzee

Joel Odokonyero

Transitional Justice Specialist

Position:	Transitional Justice Specialist
Organisation / institution:	The Center for Victims of Torture (CVT)
Bio:	Joel Innocent Odokonyero, Transitional Justice Specialist, holds bachelor degrees in Political Science/International Relations and Social Work from Makerere University, as well as a Master’s Degree from Uganda Martyrs University Nkosi in Development Studies. He has over 8 years of experience working in transitional justice at Refugee Law Project and Lutheran World Federation. Joel has contributed to transitional justice and advocacy efforts in Uganda, including convening over 8 national TJ platform meetings, authoring a book “Elusive Justice,” and advocating for the plight of Children Born of War (CBOW). He has convened or facilitated over 10 local truth-telling sessions/memory dialogues across five sub-regions in Uganda, and he has produced 10 memory dialogue reports to inform and advocate for the inclusion of truth telling in Uganda’s Transitional Justice.
Skills and expertise:	Ethnographer Researcher Human Rights Advocate
Reason for membership:	Global Forensic Academy Almunia
Location:	Location
Social Media:	https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7453352210111016960/?dashCommentUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afsd_comment%3A%287453364793018621952%2Curn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7453352210111016960%29&dashReplyUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afsd_comment%3A%287454853668308393984%2Curn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7453352210111016960%29

Tadiwanashe Chrsitian Marengo

Community Engagement Officer

Position:	Community Engagement Officer
Organisation / institution:	Zimbabwe Human Rights Association
Bio:	Tadiwanashe Christian Marengo is a Zimbabwean human rights and peacebuilding practitioner with a track record in democracy, rule of law, transitional justice, and citizen-led accountability who holds a BSc in Peace and Governance and currently pursuing an MPhil in International Relations. He currently works as Community Engagement Officer at ZimRights, where he supports community organizing for human rights protection and leads public campaigns on the Right to Peace. His work focuses on displaced and marginalized communities, linking economic justice to civil and political rights. Tadiwanashe previously advised and informed, the EU Delegation to Zimbabwe on governance and citizens’ rights, strengthening EU engagement with civil society on electoral reform and civic space. As a campaigner with Amnesty International Zimbabwe, he mobilized national and regional action on arbitrary detention, freedom of assembly, and protection of human rights defenders. His research with the Centre for Combating Human Trafficking (CCHT) examines the intersection of displacement, statelessness, and trafficking, informing policy responses for durable solutions. He is a member of the African Youth Transitional Justice Network and leads 4-H Zimbabwe Foundation`s Youth 4 Peace, a national campaign advancing non-violence and political tolerance during Zimbabwe’s electoral cycles. At continental level, he serves as a Zimbabwe Youth Champion for Agenda 2063, driving youth engagement on the AU’s Peaceful and Secure Africa aspiration. Tadiwanashe’s approach bridges grassroots activism, policy advocacy, and applied research, with emphasis on youth agency in peace processes and re-integration of crisis-affected populations.
Skills and expertise:	Thematic Expertise 1. Transitional Justice & Accountability: Designing and implementing TJ mechanisms including truth-seeking, reparations, institutional reform, and guarantees of non-recurrence in post-conflict settings 2. Human Rights, Rule of Law & Governance: Policy advisory on citizens’ rights, civic space, electoral reform, and protection of human rights defenders, including direct engagement with EU Delegation to Zimbabwe 3. Peacebuilding & Conflict Transformation: Leading national campaigns on political tolerance and non-violence, community mediation, and operationalizing the Right to Peace in polarized contexts 4. Displacement, Statelessness & Re-integration: Applied research with CCHT on durable solutions for trafficking survivors, refugees, and stateless persons, linking legal identity to economic inclusion 5. Youth, Peace & Security: Continental advocacy under AU Agenda 2063’s Peaceful and Secure Africa aspiration, mobilizing youth participation in formal peace processes Technical Skills 1. Policy Engagement: Drafting policy briefs, parliamentary submissions, and donor advisory notes on TJ, governance, and protection frameworks 2. Community-Led Research: Ethical fieldwork with crisis-affected populations, documentation of violations, and translating evidence into advocacy 3. Coalition Building: Brokering partnerships between RLOs, CSOs, government, and multilateral actors on protection and livelihoods 4. Campaign Strategy: Designing and leading mass public campaigns on peace, tolerance, and accountability with measurable policy uptake 5. Capacity Strengthening: Training community monitors, CSOs, and local authorities on human rights, TJ principles, and conflict sensitivity
Reason for membership:	I want to be a member of the African Transitional Justice Network to contribute my practical experience at the intersection of transitional justice, displacement, and peacebuilding in Zimbabwe and Southern Africa to ATJN’s continental work. Through my roles with ZimRights, the Centre for Combating Human Trafficking, and the EU Delegation to Zimbabwe, I have seen how transitional justice processes often fail to deliver durable peace when they exclude displaced, stateless, and trafficking affected populations. My work has focused on linking accountability to tangible re integration outcomes, legal identity, economic inclusion, and community healing, because impunity for electoral violence and human rights violations continues to drive cycles of displacement and re trafficking. ATJN’s platform of practitioners, scholars, and policymakers is critical for advancing victim centered approaches that bridge national policy and community realities. As a Zimbabwe Youth Champion for the African Union’s Agenda 2063 Peaceful and Secure Africa aspiration, I also seek to align ATJN’s technical expertise with continental frameworks, ensuring that transitional justice in Zimbabwe and the SADC region reflects African standards while remaining locally owned. My goal is to help strengthen ATJN’s work on durable solutions by centering the rights, agency, and leadership of displaced and marginalized communities in truth, justice, and reconciliation processes.
Location:	Harare, Zimbabwe
Social Media:	https://www.linkedin.com/in/tadiwanashe-chris-marengo-bsc-mphil-candidate-25162920a

Dianne Williams

Adjunct Professor

Position:	Adjunct Professor
Organisation / institution:	Columbia University
Bio:	Dr. Dianne Williams is a practitioner-scholar specializing in transitional justice, restorative justice, and criminal justice reform across the Caribbean, Latin America, and Africa. As Managing Director of ICOD, she advises governments and international organizations on justice sector transformation and institutional accountability. She holds appointments at Columbia University Teachers College in NYC, the University of Wrocław, Poland and the Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies at the National Defense University in Washington, D.C. Dr. Williams is a certified mediator and the architect of Guyana\'s National Restorative Justice Act 2022. Her theoretical work on nested extraction examines how colonial institutional design perpetuates systemic vulnerability, a framework with direct application to post-conflict African contexts. She brings ancestral connection to West and Central Africa and a deep commitment to decolonial approaches to justice, peace, and reconciliation.
Skills and expertise:	Transitional Justice & Peacebuilding Transitional Justice Restorative Justice Ceasefire & Peace Negotiations Post-Conflict Reconciliation Community Peacebuilding Conflict-Sensitive Programming Justice & Institutional Reform Criminal Justice Reform Police Accountability Justice Sector Capacity Building Legislative & Policy Development Institutional Assessment Research & Analysis Decolonial Theory & Methodology Qualitative Research Training Needs Assessment Program Evaluation Feminist Political Economy Facilitation & Practice Mediation (Florida Supreme Court & T&T Board Certified) Stakeholder Engagement & Facilitation Training of Trainers Curriculum Design Thematic Areas Gender & Justice Human Rights Advocacy Indigenous & Community Justice Epistemic Justice Post-Colonial Governance
Reason for membership:	My work on nested extraction and decolonial justice frameworks has deep resonance with African post-conflict contexts, yet my formal networks on the continent remain underdeveloped relative to my Caribbean and Latin American connections. As a practitioner-scholar with active engagement in Africa and ancestral ties to West and Central Africa, I am committed to deepening my contribution to transitional justice on the continent. I am joining to connect with African transitional justice practitioners, build meaningful peer relationships, and contribute to policy and research conversations on restorative and post-conflict justice. This platform offers a rare opportunity to connect across disciplinary and national boundaries, and to position decolonial justice frameworks developed in Caribbean and Latin American contexts in productive dialogue with African scholarship and practice, while learning from African transitional justice experiences that continue to inform and challenge my own theoretical and field work. has deep resonance with African post-conflict contexts, yet my formal networks on the continent remain underdeveloped relative to my Caribbean and Latin American connections. As a practitioner-scholar with active engagement in Africa and ancestral ties to West and Central Africa, I am committed to deepening my contribution to transitional justice on the continent. I am joining to connect with African transitional justice practitioners, build meaningful peer relationships, and contribute to policy and research conversations on restorative and post-conflict justice. This platform offers a rare opportunity to connect across disciplinary and national boundaries — and to position decolonial justice frameworks developed in Caribbean and Latin American contexts in productive dialogue with African scholarship and practice, while learning from African transitional justice experiences that continue to inform and challenge my own theoretic
Location:	NYC, Kenya, Trinidad and Tobago
Social Media:	http://linkedin.com/in/dianne-williams-mba-msc-phd-7aa36258/?skipRedirect=true

Joel Kabuya

Youth advocate (aspiring lawyer)

Additional Name:	Kumuamba
Position:	Youth advocate (aspiring lawyer)
Organisation / institution:	South African Branch for International Lawyer
Bio:	Joël Kabuya Kumuamba International Legal Researcher \| Strategic Affairs Consultant I am an international legal researcher and strategist specializing in resource governance, transitional justice, and regional stability across Africa. With a professional foundation built on bridging the gap between high-level policy and community-led impact, I focus on how international law can secure sovereignty and ensure corporate accountability in the Great Lakes region. Having completed my Bachelor of Commerce in Law at Boston City Campus and a Higher Certificate in Paralegal Practice, I have transitioned into specialized research roles that address the complexities of justice in post-conflict settings. Most recently, I collaborated with the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR) and Impunity Watch, where I contributed to developing youth-sensitive reparations frameworks and research briefs focused on the Democratic Republic of Congo. My fieldwork and research expertise span a diverse regional portfolio, including DRC, Burundi, Gabon, and Mali. My background in strategic affairs is highlighted by my previous role as a Legal & Strategic Affairs Assistant at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry RDC International. During this time, I proposed the architecture for a Great Lakes Forum, a concept that received praise from French President Emmanuel Macron and contributed to a $5 billion humanitarian aid initiative for the Eastern DRC. I have also represented global perspectives as a delegate for the World Bank Group Youth Summit and am an alumnus of the Harvard Aspire Leaders Program. I am a recipient of the FOYA \"Edupreneur of the Year\" and \"Social Founder of the Year\" awards. My current focus is leveraging my legal and strategic insights—informed by internships at Clifford Chance and Bank of America—to shape the 2026 U.S.-Africa Energy & Minerals Forum. I am dedicated to ensuring that Africa’s strategic resources are managed through transparent, legal, and youth-inclusive governance.
Skills and expertise:	1. Legal & Governance Public International Law: Specialized focus on territorial sovereignty and state responsibility (e.g., your advocacy on the islands of Mbanié, Conga, and Cocotier). Transitional Justice & Reparations: Expertise in designing youth-sensitive reparations frameworks, developed through high-level collaboration with CSVR and Impunity Watch. Human Rights & Accountability: Deep understanding of international human rights mechanisms and corporate accountability in conflict-affected regions. Legal Research & Drafting: Proficient in drafting policy briefs, legal advocacy documents, and memorandums of understanding (MOUs). 2. Strategic Affairs & Policy Regional Strategy (Great Lakes & Sahel): In-depth knowledge of the geopolitical landscapes of the DRC, Burundi, Gabon, and Mali. Multi-Stakeholder Coordination: Proven ability to coordinate between government ministries, international NGOs, and private sector partners. Advocacy & Mobilization: Strategic planning for youth engagement in governance and international policy forums. Public-Private Partnerships (PPP): Expertise in the intersection of mineral governance and international development. 3. Business & Finance ESG Compliance: Advising on Environmental, Social, and Governance standards for multinational corporations, supported by training from Clifford Chance. Financial Analysis & Strategy: Proficiency in SWOT analysis and financial scenario planning for strategic mineral deals and acquisitions. Project Management: Managing large-scale research initiatives and regional forums from concept to execution. 4. Communication & Languages Professional Fluency: Bi-lingual capability in English and French (essential for diplomatic work between Kinshasa, Pretoria, and Paris), plus fluency in Lingala. High-Level Correspondence: Expert at drafting \"humanized\" professional biographies, cover letters, and diplomatic communications.
Reason for membership:	My interest in joining the Transitional Justice African Network is rooted in my professional commitment to ensuring that justice mechanisms in Africa are not only legally sound but also youth-inclusive and contextually relevant. Having completed my B.Com in Law, I have dedicated my career to bridging the gap between international legal frameworks and the lived realities of victims in conflict-affected regions. I seek membership to contribute my expertise in youth-sensitive reparations, a niche I have developed through recent collaborations with the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR) and Impunity Watch. My work has focused specifically on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the broader Great Lakes region, where I have conducted research on how transitional justice can be leveraged to empower the next generation of African leaders. Furthermore, my professional experience—which includes proposing a Great Lakes Forum recognized by international heads of state and serving as a Youth Advocate for the African Union (AY4TJ)—has taught me that regional stability requires a collaborative, pan-African approach. I am eager to join this network to: Collaborate with fellow practitioners on the legal challenges of territorial sovereignty and corporate accountability in resource-rich zones. Contribute my research findings from the DRC, Burundi, Gabon, and Mali to the network’s broader policy advocacy. Engage in high-level dialogue that ensures African-led solutions remain at the forefront of the global transitional justice agenda. I believe my background in both law and strategic affairs will allow me to be an active, contributing member who can help the network navigate the complex intersection of justice, governance, and regional development.
Location:	Johannesburg, South Africa
Social Media:	https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-kabuya-%E2%9A%96%EF%B8%8F-6aa554256?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios

Safa Belghith

Researcher

Position:	Researcher
Organisation / institution:	Non affiliated
Bio:	Researcher working on transitional justice, with a focus on dignity, reparations, and the lived experience of harm in post-authoritarian contexts. My work engages qualitative and interpretive methods to examine how justice is articulated, contested, and experienced in practice.
Skills and expertise:	Transitional justice Reparations and redress Dignity and recognition Gender and political violence Post-authoritarian contexts Qualitative research methods Narrative and discourse analysis Participatory and survivor-centered approaches Policy analysis and translation of research into practice
Reason for membership:	I joined to engage with critical, context-driven discussions on transitional justice in Africa, contributing my research on dignity and reparations while learning from the work of scholars and practitioners in the field.
Location:	Tunisia

Habtamu Birhanu

Human Rights Officer

Position:	Human Rights Officer
Organisation / institution:	Ethiopian Human Rights Commission
Bio:	Habtamu Birhanu is a Human Rights Officer at the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and former Senior Lecturer/Researcher at Dilla University Law School (LL.B, Dilla University; LL.M, Addis Ababa University). Academic and Research Expertise Published journal articles on legal topics including transitional justice (TJ), national dialogue, and AI regulation; presented papers at national conferences on these issues. Training and Capacity Building Delivered trainings on TJ, medical malpractice liability, internal displacement/durable solutions, and indigenous knowledge in peacebuilding; participated in EHRC online/offline trainings on TJ and women\'s rights. Leadership Roles Held positions including Free Legal Aid Coordinator, Publication Coordinator, Academic Vice Dean, Associate Dean, Chair of Dilla University Referral Hospital Discipline Committee, and multiple ad hoc committees.
Skills and expertise:	Relevant Skills Strong research, analysis, and presentation skills, demonstrated by more than four conference papers on TJ, human rights, and constitutional law. Capacity building expertise from attending two EHRC trainings on rights monitoring and TJ frameworks. Proven training delivery, including one session on TJ topics like accountability and victim-centered approaches. Legal drafting and advocacy proficiency in gender equality, federalism, and digital governance intersections. Professional Experience As Human Rights Officer at the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission and former Law Lecturer/Researcher at Dilla University, I\'ve built expertise in constitutional law and TJ. Key achievements include presenting over four conference papers, completing two EHRC capacity-building trainings, and delivering one TJ training session. These experiences position me to actively participate in ATJN\'s community of practice, fostering regional collaboration on sustainable peacebuilding.
Reason for membership:	My active involvement in TJ through conference presentations, EHRC capacity-building trainings, and training delivery makes ATJN an ideal platform to exchange knowledge on reconciliation, reparations, and gender-sensitive mechanisms across Africa. It enables me to connect with practitioners and scholars, share insights from Ethiopia\'s context, and contribute to forums advancing the African Union Transitional Justice Policy. This community supports my goals of collaborative policy influence and epistemic justice in post-conflict settings.
Location:	Hawasa, Ethiopia

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