Members – African Transitional Justice Network

Members Directory

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

Olalekan Jimoh

MSc Candidate (Defence and Strategic Studies)

Additional Name:	Idowu
Position:	MSc Candidate (Defence and Strategic Studies)
Organisation / institution:	Nigerian Defence Academy
Bio:	Olalekan Idowu Jimoh is a Criminologist and Security Strategist dedicated to breaking cycles of violence and improving justice frameworks across Africa. He holds a B.Sc. in Criminology and Security Studies from the National Open University of Nigeria and is completing an M.Sc. in Defence and Strategic Studies at the Nigerian Defence Academy, where he has submitted his dissertation. Olalekan focused his undergraduate research on the critical issue of recidivism within the Nigerian prison system; his work in Enugu explored the systemic failures that lead to re-offending, providing him with a unique, ground-level perspective on the necessity of effective rehabilitation and restorative justice. Throughout a career that cuts across intelligence, risk management, and strategic consultancy, Olalekan has integrated technical security expertise with a commitment to social cohesion and state accountability.
Skills and expertise:	(1) Criminology & Crime Analysis: Specialised in recidivism studies and the socio-structural causes of re-offending. (2) Security Strategy & Risk Management: Extensive experience in threat intelligence and strategic consultancy. (3) Defence & Strategic Studies: Advanced academic training in military strategy and national security frameworks. (4) Transitional Justice & Peacebuilding: Expertise in developing justice frameworks that promote social cohesion and state accountability. (5) Rehabilitation & Restorative Justice: Deep understanding of carceral reform and community-level healing initiatives. (6) Crisis Leadership: Professional background in intelligence operations and managing complex security environments.
Reason for membership:	Olalekan is particularly interested in how transitional justice can address the root causes of systemic instability and ensure that marginalised voices are central to policy development. By joining the ATJN, he seeks to connect with a stronger network of professionals to learn more and leverage his background in crime analysis and defense strategy to contribute to evidence-based research that promotes sustainable peace and prevents the recurrence of conflict and violence.
Location:	Kaduna State, Nigeria
Social Media:	http://linkedin.com/in/jimohoijoseph

Tokunbo Okanla

Graduate Student

Reason for membership:

I am interested in membership so i can continue to Research, Collaborate and Network with fellow scholars and practitioners

FATOUMATA TOURE

Présidente

Position:	Présidente
Organisation / institution:	AFVVRNM
Bio:	Biographie de Madame Fatoumata TOURE, Présidente AFVVRN Madame Fatoumata Toure née ...... à Gao, mère 03 enfants ( 1fille et 02 garçon ). De 2016 à nos jours , elle est la Présidente des Femmes Victimes de Violence dans les régions nord du Mali (AFVVRN),, Présidente du Conseil National des Victimes (CNV), Membre du Comité d\'orientation de l\'Autorité de Gestion des Réparations en faveur des victimes des crises au Mali (AGRV). Au cours de son mandat, elle a intervienu dans les Régions du Sud ( Koulikoro, Ségou,), les régions du centre (Mopti), les régions du nord (Gao et Tbtou) et dans le District de Bamako et environnant. Elle a initié d\'énormes initiatives et actions favorisants la réinsertion des victimes et autres personnes déplacées Internes (PDI ) pour une paix durable et pour la cohésion sociale. Dans le cadre de leurs insertions socio économiques, des initiatives d\'activités génératrices de revenus ont été initiées et réalisées, des dons et aides ont été sollicité auprès des ONG, des services chargés des actions humanitaires et toutes personnes de bonne volonté. En plus, dans le cadre de l\'organisation des victimes, elle a contribué dans la mobilisation et orientation des victimes et autres PDI vers les antennes de la CVJR ( de 2018 à 2022) pour l\'enregistrement de leurs dépsitions dans la dynamique de leur identification. La réalisation des actions de sensibilisation ont beaucoup contribué dans la transformation des victimes et PDI qui sont de nos jours des vecteurs de communication dans la recherche de leur bien être, leur propre guérison, leur réinsertion, leur développement voir leur emergence dans une société de paix et de vivre ensemble.
Skills and expertise:	Coordinatrice de projet, assistante psychosociale, protection des droits humains
Reason for membership:	J\'adhère ce réseau pour apporter ma contribution au rayonnement de la justice transitionnelle, apprendre et partager mon expertise
Location:	Bamako Mali

Verónica Hinestroza

Research Fellow

Position:	Research Fellow
Organisation / institution:	Institute for Justice and Reconciliation
Bio:	Results-oriented consultant and legal scholar with over 20 years of experience navigating the intersection of international human rights law, transitional justice, and development policy. I specialize in harmonizing international standards with domestic criminal systems to create sustainable, rights-based frameworks through a dual commitment to shaping the global normative landscape and delivering direct training and technical assistance to state institutions, multilateral organizations, and civil society across 15+ countries. Since September 2025, I have served as an Honorary Fellow at Bristol University and the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation, contributing to research and policy development focused on prevention, while simultaneously advancing global scholarship as Co-Editor in Chief of the Journal of Disappearance Studies for Bristol University Press.
Location:	South Africa

Damsou Kindé

Jurist

Position:	Jurist
Organisation / institution:	University of Quebec at Montreal
Bio:	PhD holder with over 10 years of experience, specializing in legal research and analysis in the fields of international law, human rights, and international humanitarian law. Damsou Kindé\'s professional background includes contributing to legal projects that address complex global challenges and support institutional objectives. His work is driven by a commitment to advancing justice and strengthening the protection of human rights. He leverages his expertise in legal research, data analysis, and international humanitarian law to support evidence-based initiatives and policy development. He is particularly interested in fostering strategic partnerships and developing impactful solutions aligned with international standards and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Skills and expertise:	International Law, Transitional Justice, Human Rights, Project Management, Data Analysis, Peace and Security, Legal Analysis, Research and Writing
Reason for membership:	To learn from and contribute to a community of practitioners and scholars to advancing transitional justice and sustainable peace.
Location:	Montreal, Canada
Social Media:	https://www.linkedin.com/in/damsoukinde/?skipRedirect=true

Valerie Arnould

Senior Legal and Policy Advisor

Position:	Senior Legal and Policy Advisor
Organisation / institution:	Avocats Sans Frontières
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James Gondi Gondi

Researcher

Position:	Researcher
Organisation / institution:	Consultant
Bio:	James Gondi is a Senior International Law and Transitional Justice Expert with over 18 years of experience working at the intersection of accountability, human rights, and post-conflict justice across Sub-Saharan Africa and beyond. James has built a substantive body of work spanning international criminal justice, truth and reconciliation processes, and institutional reform. As Legal Officer at the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ Kenya), James worked at the frontlines of advocacy for the domestication of the Rome Statute in Kenya — a critical period during which the country\'s relationship with the ICC was being actively contested. He engaged on questions of complementarity, state cooperation, and the design of credible local judicial mechanisms to address crimes committed during Kenya\'s 2007–2008 post-election violence. He was a prominent public voice insisting that any domestic accountability process must complement, not displace, the ICC process — a position that shaped civil society\'s engagement with both the Kenyan government and the international community. James also edited Reflections on the 2017 Elections in Kenya: Paper Series on Emerging Judicial Philosophy in Kenya (ICJ Kenya, 2018), a landmark publication cataloguing electoral jurisprudence and judicial independence, held in the collection of Berkeley Law Library. He further edited The Future of International Criminal Justice in Africa (ICJ Kenya), a compendium of critical essays addressing complementarity, the Malabo Protocol, gender justice, and the role of the African Union Transitional Justice Policy (AUTJP) in accountability for atrocity crimes — cementing his position as a leading voice on the trajectory of international criminal justice on the continent. He led the Baseline Study on Transitional Justice and Reconciliation in Ethiopia, Somalia, and Sudan for the Life & Peace Institute (LPI), a rigorous multi-country assessment that mapped the policy landscape, evaluated the capacity of civil society actors, and identified strategic entry points for transitional justice engagement across three of the Horn of Africa\'s most volatile contexts. The study combined extensive field research — including focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and in-country workshops — with deep comparative analysis of formal and customary justice systems, from Ethiopia\'s traditional dispute resolution mechanisms such as the Shimgelina and Gereb, to Somalia\'s clan-based Xeer and Sudan\'s community-rooted Yuddia. James\'s findings informed LPI\'s Horn of Africa Programme strategy and contributed practically to regional debates on how to sequence and sustain transitional justice processes in politically fragile settings. More recently, he led a Scoping Study on Transitional Justice Entry Points in the Greater Horn of Africa for Impunity Watch -The Hague (Ethiopia, Eritria, Sudan, South Sudan, Djibouti, Kenya & Uganda), further consolidating his regional expertise. James contributed significantly to research and dissemination of the African Union Transitional Justice Policy (AUTJP), engaging critically with its frameworks for truth, justice, reparations, and institutional reform across African post-conflict contexts. He is a contributor to the International Journal of Transitional Justice and co-author of the Nairobi Principles on Accountability, a landmark policy instrument shaping regional accountability norms. James brings particular expertise in linking transitional justice with environmental accountability. He has analysed the ICC Office of the Prosecutor\'s Policy on Environmental Crimes through a transitional justice lens — work that positions him at the cutting edge of emerging accountability frameworks. He has also engaged substantively with climate reparations theory and practice, contributing to Pan-African advocacy at the intersection of historical injustice, environmental harm, and reparative justice. James has led campaigns in Africa for the advancement of ecocide law, working to build momentum for the recognition of ecocide as an international crime and its integration into accountability frameworks relevant to the African context.
Skills and expertise:	Transitional justice, environmental rule of law and criminal justice reforms
Reason for membership:	Passion & Expertise in post conflict justice
Location:	Nairobi, Kenya
Social Media:	https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-gondi/

Abera Abebe Zegeye

Student/Researcher

Position:	Student/Researcher
Organisation / institution:	Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights
Bio:	LL.B., LL.M. in human rights and currently studying Master\'s of an Advanced Studies in Transitional Justice, Human Rights, and Rule of Law. Worked as a lecturer in law at the University of Gondar (Ethiopia), and as a project officer at the Lawyers for Human Rights (Ethiopia).
Skills and expertise:	Research, case study, human rights advocacy, project coordination, documentation, evaluation, reporting.
Reason for membership:	Learn, contribute, networking, collaboration
Location:	Geneva, Switzerland

Isatou (Ayesha ) Jammeh

Commissioner - Gambia Reparations Commission

Position:	Commissioner - Gambia Reparations Commission
Organisation / institution:	Reparations Commission
Bio:	Isatou Jammeh (Ayesha Harun Jammeh) is a transitional justice practitioner, human rights defender, and advocate for victim-centered justice in The Gambia. She is the Co-Founder and Head of Programs at the Gambia Center for Victims of Human Rights Violations, where she leads the design and implementation of programs focused on healing, empowerment, and justice for victims and survivors of past human rights abuses. Ayesha’s commitment to this work is deeply personal. She is herself an indirect victim of enforced disappearance her father was forcibly disappeared under the former regime, a loss that continues to shape her pursuit of truth, accountability, and dignity for all victims. At the Victims Center, Ayesha has been instrumental in establishing safe spaces for survivors to share their stories, access psychosocial support, and engage in national truth and justice mechanisms. She leads community outreach, victim engagement strategies, and partnerships with transitional justice institutions, ensuring survivors are not only heard but actively involved in shaping the path to justice. In recognition of her longstanding advocacy, Ayesha was recently confirmed as a Commissioner for the Victims Reparations Commission of The Gambia a national body tasked with implementing reparative measures for victims of human rights violations. Her appointment is both symbolic and substantive, signaling a shift toward victim-led justice in the country’s post-dictatorship recovery. A respected voice in transitional justice, Ayesha continues to contribute to national, regional, and international efforts focused on reparations, non-recurrence, and survivor empowerment. Her work embodies resilience, empathy, and an unshakable belief that justice is not just a legal outcome but a human right.
Skills and expertise:	Transitional Justice & Victim-Centered Approaches – Extensive experience working on truth-seeking, reparations, and accountability processes in post-authoritarian contexts. Reparations Policy and Implementation – Expertise in victim engagement and the development of reparative measures for survivors of human rights violations. Victim Advocacy and Empowerment – Strong background in representing and amplifying the voices of victims, particularly survivors of enforced disappearances and other grave human rights violations. Psychosocial Support & Trauma-Informed Programming – Experience designing and facilitating safe spaces, community dialogues, and healing initiatives for survivors and affected families. Program Development and Management – Leadership in designing, implementing, and overseeing programs that support victims’ rights, community healing, and transitional justice initiatives. Community Engagement and Outreach – Skilled in building trust with victim communities, facilitating participatory dialogues, and ensuring inclusive victim participation in justice processes. Documentation and Storytelling for Justice – Experience supporting victims in documenting their experiences and participating in truth-seeking processes such as public testimonies. Human Rights Advocacy – Active engagement in national and international advocacy around accountability, justice, and non-recurrence. Stakeholder Coordination and Partnerships – Ability to collaborate with government institutions, civil society organizations, international partners, and victim networks. Public Speaking and Policy Dialogue – Regular participation in panels, conferences, and policy discussions on transitional justice, reparations, and victim rights.
Reason for membership:	Want to contribute to a broader Transitional Justice Initiatives across Africa and around the world
Location:	The Gambia
Social Media:	https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1Eqvu1dXZV/

Andrew SONGA

Lawyer, researcher, policy analyst

Position:	Lawyer, researcher, policy analyst
Organisation / institution:	Power Law Africa
Bio:	Andrew is a Managing Partner at Mute & Songa Advocates LLP., the Kenyan Office of Power Law Africa. As a public interest lawyer and human rights advocate with over 15 years’ experience, Andrew’s work is centred on the thematic areas of indigenous peoples’ rights, forced migration, democratic governance, rule of law, elections, civic technology, and transitional justice, and he focuses primarily on legal research, strategic litigation, policy formulation and analysis, domestic and international advocacy, and civic education. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Nairobi and a Master of Advanced Studies in Transitional Justice, Human Rights, and the Rule of Law (summa cum laude) from the renowned Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights. He is currently a PhD candidate at the Social Justice and Ethics Centre of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA)
Skills and expertise:	Policy analysis Research Legiative drafting Strategic Interest Litigation Strategic planning for organisations and networks
Reason for membership:	Network with transitional justice practitioners around the continent
Location:	Nairobi. Kenya

Kylie Thomas

Senior Lecturer

Position:	Senior Lecturer
Organisation / institution:	University College Cork, Ireland
Bio:	Kylie Thomas is a Senior Lecturer in the School of History and at the Radical Humanities Laboratory at University College Cork, Ireland, and Guest Researcher at NIOD Institute for War, Holocaust and Genocide Studies in Amsterdam. She holds a PhD from the University of Cape Town, South Africa, and is the author of Impossible Mourning: HIV/AIDS and Visuality after apartheid and Afterimages of Apartheid: Photography and Resistance (2025).
Skills and expertise:	Research; writing; analysis
Reason for membership:	Research
Location:	Ireland

Hassane MADIGOUH KANEMBOU

Magistrate

Position:	Magistrate
Organisation / institution:	Appeal Court, Niamey, Niger
Bio:	Knowledgeable and committed legal professional with more than twenty years working experience as a magistrate. Held multiple law (national and international) support positions and is familiar with daily practice in a jurisdiction. Administrative expert capable of fast and effective organizational and communication skills. Experienced behind a desk, arranging meetings, and managing schedule. Self-motivated and detail oriented, with strong supporting abilities and active listening skills. A person who combines loyalty, impartiality, ethical conduct, independent and extensive legal knowledge.
Skills and expertise:	Expert with proven skills in Niger and Mali in legal, judicial, rule of law, transitional justice, civic engagement and capacity building and advocacy. I also have expertise in implementing, monitoring and evaluating programs and projects for access to justice, security sector reform and human rights, as well as supervising and leading multidisciplinary teams in judicial and legal practices. Bilingual, fluent in French, English, Haussa, Djerma-Songhai and Kanouri.
Reason for membership:	Expert, Roster member of Africa TJ Expert
Location:	Niamey. Niger Republic

Joyce Mutoka

Programme Consultant

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