Members – African Transitional Justice Network

Members Directory

Student

Position:	Student
Organisation / institution:	Addis Ababa University (AAU)
Bio:	I am Tolasa Ayele, an *Economics* student at Addis Ababa University with a deep passion for human rights advocacy. My academic journey is driven by a desire to understand how economic policies can foster equality, justice, and sustainable development. I actively engage in initiatives that promote dignity and fairness, believing that economic progress must go hand in hand with protecting fundamental human rights. Through research, dialogue, and community involvement, I strive to empower marginalized voices and contribute to building inclusive solutions for society. Guided by curiosity, compassion, and resilience, I envision a future where knowledge and advocacy intersect to create meaningful change and lasting impact for communities across Ethiopia and beyond.
Skills and expertise:	My skills and expertise reflect both academic knowledge and practical leadership. I serve as an ambassador for anti-human trafficking at Hope for Justice Ethiopia, where I actively work to protect vulnerable communities and raise awareness on exploitation. As a peace ambassador at the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), I promote dialogue, conflict prevention, and sustainable solutions for building harmony. My leadership experience is complemented by strong abilities in policy analysis, public speaking, and community engagement. Guided by resilience and compassion, I strive to connect economic development with social justice, empowering marginalized voices and fostering inclusive progress.
Reason for membership:	I want to be a member of the African Transitional Justice Network because I believe in the power of justice, accountability, and dialogue to build peaceful and inclusive societies.
Location:	Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Social Media:	https://www.linkedin.com/in/tolasa-ayele-600501372

Eden Matiyas

PhD Researcher

Position:	PhD Researcher
Bio:	Eden Matiyas is currently a PhD researcher and a seasoned practitioner in peacebuilding and conflict transformation, specialising in the Horn of Africa. With over eight years of practical experience, she has developed expertise in transitional justice, programme design and implementation, policy engagement, research, and analysis.
Skills and expertise:	Programme management, research and analysis, and policy engagement
Reason for membership:	I am seeking membership to engage more actively with a community of researchers and practitioners working in areas relevant to my PhD, particularly transitional justice, collective memory, and digital technologies. Membership will support networking opportunities, learnings, and stay informed about current debates and developments in the field.

Haregot Zeray

Executive Director

Position:	Executive Director
Organisation / institution:	Tigray Human Rights Advocacy Network (THRAN)
Bio:	Haregot Zeray holds MA in Human Rights from Addis Ababa University. He has served in higher educational institutions in Ethiopia in the capacity of lecturer for 10 years. Previously, he worked as a senior human rights expert, program manager and project coordinator at the Tigray Human Rights Advocacy Network (THRAN). He currently serves as Executive Director of THRAN, leading Human rights Advocacy, education, training, research, monitoring and investigation to uphold human rights, advance Transitional justice and foster peace building in Tigray, Ethiopia.
Skills and expertise:	Haregot Zeray Possesses strong foundational computer skills and excels in speaking, writing, listening and reading four languages: Tigrigna, Amharic, English and Geez.
Reason for membership:	To exchange ideas, knowledge, experiences and jointly work for the advancement of Transitional justice in the continent in general and Ethiopia in particular
Location:	Tigray, Ethiopia

Agatha Ndonga

Head of Program - South Sudan

Organisation / institution:	International Center for Transitional Justice
Bio:	Agatha Ndonga has over a decade of experience in transitional justice, peacebuilding, gender and human rights, legal and policy reform, and international relations. Agatha provides technical expertise to government and non-government/civil society actors including victims’ and survivors’ networks, on inclusive implementation of transitional justice processes aimed at preventing the reccurence of human rights violations. She currently manages the South Sudan Program at International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ). Her recent publications examine the complementary role of customary and informal justice mechanisms within the broader peacebuilding and reconciliation efforts in contexts affected by mass human rights violations - https://www.ictj.org/reconciliation-through-customary-justice-southsudan as well as the inclusion of conflict-related displaced populations in transitional justice policymaking - https://www.ictj.org/inclusion-displaced-persons-south-sudan’s. Agatha is a member of the African Women for Transitional Justice (AW4TJ) and has served as a Fellow with Robert Bosch Stiftung, Institute for Justice and Reconciliation, and The Hague Institute for Global Justice. She holds an M.A. in Peace Studies and International Relations
Skills and expertise:	Research and Analysis Writing and Editing Training and Capacity Building Policy Development Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning
Reason for membership:	Contribute to the growth of, and strengthen the Network through my experience, skills and expertise
Location:	Nairobi - Kenya

Philip Olayoku

Coordinator

Position:	Coordinator
Organisation / institution:	The West African Transitional Justice Centre
Bio:	PHILIP ADEMOLA OLAYOKU, has a doctorate in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Ibadan where he teaches as an adjunct. He is the founder and coordinator of the West African Transitional Justice Centre (WATJCentre) and also the Chair of Marcel Advisory. He consulted on the media and terrorism project for the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) and served on the international advisory board of the Medecins Sans Frontieres for developing modules on their Speaking Out Case Studies. His research interests include transitional Justice, security studies, ethnicity, digital power dynamics and transnational relations on which he has several research and policy publications. He has written on the contexts of reparations, restitution, diaspora, post-conflict peacebuilding, Africa and global warfare, Africa-Asia relations, as well as the gendered and technology dynamics of conflict and its management.
Skills and expertise:	I have expertise across the fields of transitional Justice, security studies, ethnicity, digital power dynamics and transnational relations
Reason for membership:	To bridge the gap between the the research and practice of transitional justice on the continent
Location:	Nigeria

Tendaishe Tlou

Independent Researcher and TJ Advocacy Consultant

Position:	Independent Researcher and TJ Advocacy Consultant
Organisation / institution:	BRICS Research Institute
Bio:	Affililiations: BRICS Research Institute, Durban University of Technology. Bio: I am a seasoned Peace, Security and Governance practitioner with nine years of experience in peacebuilding, human rights and transitional justice in Africa. I hold a Masters in Human Rights, Peace and Development (Africa University) and a BSc (Hons) in Peace and Governance (Bindura University) which align with the topic(s) under discussion and my passion to advance justice. I am also in possession of various professional certificates in peacebuilding, human rights and social justice from local and international training hubs which complement my skills in this field.
Skills and expertise:	• Directly engages and coordinates TJ organisations to ensure that they effectively responde to TJ issues in Zimbabwe; • Conducts regular needs assessments for TJ stakeholders so that they remain aware of their evolving expectations from the movement; • Conducts strategic and impact TJ research including: -Conducting both quantitative and qualitative field research to inform organic and context specific TJ policies in Zimbabwe; -Developing concept note(s), identified research projects and events and -Preparing draft report(s) for review. • Designs and implements high impact transitional justice projects with a strong gender component; • Provides technical support to high level government institutions such as specific parliamentary portfolio committees, the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission and the Executive; • Provides overall leadership and operational support for trainees and communities (including women and girls) participating in TJ projects across all Provinces and Districts in Zimbabwe; • Capacitates communities on TJ issues through community-based trainings and dialogues to promote peace and reconciliation, with a strong gender component; • Produces thoroughly researched analytical papers on transitional justice, human rights and conflict transformation; • Carries-out intensive and extensive transitional justice policy analysis and produces advocacy reports to push for TJ policy adoption and implementation; • Designs appropriate interventions and recommendations for all transitional justice processes in Zimbabwe to combat marginalisation and discrimination of survivors on the basis of religious, political and cultural affiliation; • Convenes and facilitates regular stakeholder meetings which included training and dialogues on key transitional justice issues in Zimbabwe (including youths, PWDs, women and girls); • Participates in domestic, regional and international transitional justice advocacy programmes; • Participates in various activities on behalf of the organisation; • Compiles and dispatches various transitional justice reports within agreed timeframes; • Keeps tags on and designed appropriate responses to critical transitional justice developments in the country and region; • Identifies and contributes to and drafted grant proposals and donor reports; and • Engages in grant management and compliance processes.
Reason for membership:	Active engagement in TJ processes and engagements.
Location:	Harare/Johannesburg

Agaba Racheal Tabitha

Independent researcher and writer

Location: Uganda

Owiso Owiso

Independent consultant

Position:	Independent consultant
Organisation / institution:	Independent consultant
Bio:	DR. OWISO OWISO is an international lawyer, scholar and researcher whose primary interests and areas of specialisation include general public international law, international criminal law/justice, international arbitration and dispute settlement, law of international organisations, transitional justice, human rights, governance and democratisation, and law and technology. He earned a doctorate in public international law from the University of Luxembourg in 2022. He has taught international law at the University of Luxembourg (Luxembourg) and the University of Groningen (The Netherlands). He currently practises law.
Skills and expertise:	Transitional justice research and advocacy International law litigation
Social Media:	https://www.owisoowiso.com/

Tendaiwo Maregere

Transitional Justice Researcher

Position:	Transitional Justice Researcher
Organisation / institution:	Independent Consultant
Bio:	Tendaiwo Peter Maregere is a Transitional Justice, Governance, Peace, Security and International Development Professional who has over 25 years’ experience in working with national, regional and international organizations, including but not limited to, the United Nations, African Union, SADC, Institute for Peace and Security Studies (IPSS), Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR), United States Institute of Peace (USIP) in post conflicts societies on transitional justice, governance, elections, conflict analyses, and security sector reform in Ethiopia, Liberia, Nepal, Mozambique, Sudan, South Sudan, Zambia and Zimbabwe. He is a holder of a doctorate in Transitional Justice from Coventry University -UK (2019). Tendaiwo further possesses over 15 years of experience conducting research and analytical work in conflict and post-conflict environments across Sub-Saharan Africa. His work spans transitional justice, post-electoral reconciliation, civil society engagement, and governance reform. His approach combines both qualitative and quantitative participatory research methods, political economy analysis, and policy formulation tailored to fragile and transitional governance contexts. He is also experienced in high-level advisory and practical engagement in transitional justice, including work with human rights commissions, truth commissions, post-conflict research and institutional strengthening. He has managed multi-million dollar projects in governance, transitional justice and peacebuilding including grants, cooperative agreements and adhering to procedures from USAID, EU, UNDP, SIDA, DFID, NED and other donors in sub-Saharan Africa. Tendaiwo is passionate about the plight of victims of violent conflict, injustice, and climate change and committed to contributing to innovative, sustainable, and victim-centric structures and mechanisms that address the needs and interests of victims to reconstruct their lives and find closure at the end of mass atrocities and/or calamities.
Skills and expertise:	Transitional Justice Governance & Democracy Rule of Law Human Rights Peace and Security
Reason for membership:	Contribute to the discourse on transitional justice in Africa
Location:	Harare, Zimbabwe
Social Media:	https://www.linkedin.com/in/tendaiwo-peter-maregere-ph-d-a3bb266/

Jonas Kakule Sindani, Esq. Kakule Sindani

PhD Candidate in Human Rights and Transitional Justice

Position:	PhD Candidate in Human Rights and Transitional Justice
Organisation / institution:	Université catholique de Louvain
Bio:	Jonas Kakule Sindani a human rights and transitional justice lawyer. He is currently pursuing a joint PhD in legal sciences (Human Rights and Transitional Justice) at the Université catholique de Louvain (Belgium) and at the Université catholique de Bukavu (DR Congo). He holds an LLM in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa (University of Pretoria) and a Licence in International Law (Université de Goma).
Skills and expertise:	Human Rights Transitional Justice International Criminal Law International Humanitarian Law Constitutional Law
Reason for membership:	I am motivated to join this Network because it links African transitional justice scholarship with policy engagement, continental outreach, and the amplification of marginalised voices. It aligns with my commitment to grounded, inclusive, and transformative justice shaped by the lived realities of affected communities.
Location:	Louvain-la-Neuve
Social Media:	https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonas-k-sindani-2598ba192/

Elizabeth Atieno

Director

Position:	Director
Organisation / institution:	Survivors Libarations Forum
Bio:	https://synergyforjustice.org/expert_contributors
Skills and expertise:	https://synergyforjustice.org/expert_contributors
Reason for membership:	I am seeking membership in the Traditional Justice Network to contribute to and learn from a community committed to advancing survivor-centered justice. My work focuses on advocating for accountability, reparations, and the inclusion of survivor voices, particularly in contexts of conflict-related sexual violence. I believe this network provides an important platform to strengthen collaboration, share knowledge, and promote justice approaches that are rooted in community realities.
Location:	Kenya

Mary Izobo

Advocacy Programme Manager

Position:	Advocacy Programme Manager
Organisation / institution:	Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation
Bio:	Ms Mary Izobo is an International Human Rights Lawyer, Gender Equality Advocate and Governance Expert. She is the Advocacy Programme Manager for the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR), where she leads the Advocacy strategy implementation, manages all projects within advocacy and the organization and creates synergy and collaboration between advocacy programmes and the work of other programmes at local, regional, and global levels. She coordinates stakeholder management across the organization and uses her expertise in the field to profile the organization’s work nationally, regionally and globally. Ms Izobo is also studying for a Doctor of Laws (LLD) focusing on international law and governance. Before that, she obtained a Master of Laws (LLM) in Rule of Law for Development from Loyola University Chicago, United States of America, and another Master of Laws (LLM) in Human Rights and Democratization in Africa from the University of Pretoria, South Africa. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom; a Barrister at Law (BL) from the Nigerian Law School, Abuja, Nigeria, and a Bachelor of Arts (BA Hons) in French Language from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. She was the Legal Advisor for the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), an organ of the African Union (AU), and has worked for the United Nations (UN), the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), the Institute for Strategic Litigation in Africa (ISLA) and the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA). Ms Izobo is a 2025 Rise Up Leader, a 2023 Archbishop Desmond Tutu Leadership Fellow, and a 2023 Alumna of the International Visitors Leadership Programme of the United States of America Department of State. She is also a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. She received numerous academic awards and accolades in recognition of her work. Notably, Africa’s Top Legal Millennial – The Amazon of Women’s Rights, Kaduna State Honours Award for public service in Nigeria, SPE Top Pathfinder and Futurist Activist.
Skills and expertise:	Transitional Justice Democratic Governance and Constitutionalism Gender Policy
Reason for membership:	Expert
Location:	South Africa
Social Media:	https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryizobo/

Joseph Ben Kaifala

Principal

Position:	Principal
Organisation / institution:	Center for Memory and Reparations
Bio:	Joseph Ben Kaifala is a Sierra Leonean writer and historian. He is the founder and principal of the Center for Memory and Reparations - facilitating remembrance and collective narratives around the Sierra Leonean civil war. Joseph is also the founder of the Jeneba Project - which provides educational opportunities to adolescent girls in Sierra Leone. He works in areas of International Law, Transitional Justice, Human Rights, and Education. He is currently a commissioner and chairman of Sierra Leone\'s Monuments and Relics Commission.
Skills and expertise:	International Law Human Rights Transitional Justice Remembrance And Memorialization
Reason for membership:	A vital network
Location:	Freetown \| Sierra Leone

Eugene Bakama Bope

Transitional Justice Specialist

Position:	Transitional Justice Specialist
Organisation / institution:	African Union Commission
Bio:	*Eugène Bakama Bope, PhD* from the University of Aix-Marseille (France), and Winner of the PhD Thesis Award 2020 of the Louis Joinet Institute (France) in the category of International Criminal Justice. He is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law of the Université pédagogique nationale (UPN) and at the University of Lubumbashi (UNILU) in DRC. He holds a master’s degree in human Rights from the Université Saint Louis in Belgium and a law degree from the Université Protestante au Congo (UPC). He is currently Transitional Justice Specialist at the African Union Commission. He was also a Human Rights Specialist at the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) in Paris. Eugène Bakama is the author of several publications and articles in the fields of Transitional Justice, human rights and international criminal law.
Skills and expertise:	Transitional Justice, human rights and international criminal law.
Reason for membership:	Sharing knowledge on Transitional Justice
Location:	Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

John Ikubaje

Head, Transitional Justice Unit

Position:	Head, Transitional Justice Unit
Organisation / institution:	African Union Commission
Bio:	Dr. John G. Ikubaje is a governance expert specializing in transitional justice, human rights, and democratic governance in Africa. He serves as the Head of transitional justice unit at the African Union Commission, where he coordinates and oversees the implementation of the African Union Transitional Justice Policy across member states and regional economic communities and regional mechanisms. His work focuses on helping post-conflict societies address past human rights violations through accountability, reconciliation, and institutional reform. Dr. Ikubaje holds a PhD in Peace, Governance and Development from the United Nations University for Peace. He is also an author and policy contributor on governance, anti-corruption, and justice processes in Africa.
Skills and expertise:	Research, Advocacy, Policy drafting etc
Reason for membership:	Contribution to transitional justice development in Africa
Location:	Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

AFRICA TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE LEGACY FUND

Implementing consortium Partner on the ITJA Project

Position:	Implementing consortium Partner on the ITJA Project
Organisation / institution:	ATJLF
Bio:	Established in 2019, the Africa Transitional Justice Legacy Fund is a response to the growing desire for African solutions to African problems rooted in shared experiences. The Fund is part of a larger continental support strategy by the MacArthur Foundation and WellSpring Philanthropic Fund to promote African-led transitional justice efforts in the region.
Skills and expertise:	Grants-making and Technical support in TJ
Reason for membership:	To contribute to the popularisation of Transitional Justice in Africa
Location:	Accra,Ghana

Lesego Sekhu

Research Assistant

Position:	Research Assistant
Organisation / institution:	Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation
Bio:	Dedicated and impact-driven social science early-career researcher with experience in transitional justice, gender justice, and human rights across Africa. Proven ability to develop evidence-based research, produce high-quality reports and policy briefs, and engage diverse stakeholders — including transitional justice and gender justice practitioners, policymakers, and international audiences. I am passionate about leveraging research for social justice, equity, and accountability.
Skills and expertise:	Transitional Justice, Conflict-related Sexual Violence, Gender, Peace Processes and Peacebuilding, Human Rights in Africa
Location:	South Africa
Social Media:	https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesego-sekhu-9904/

Tafadzwa Christmas

Project Coordinator - Initiative for Transitional Justice in Africa

Position:	Project Coordinator - Initiative for Transitional Justice in Africa
Organisation / institution:	International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ)
Bio:	Tafadzwa is currently engaged by the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) as the program coordinator for the Initiative for Transitional Justice in Africa (ITJA), a three-year project jointly launched by the African Union (AU) and the European Union to support AU member states in implementing the AU Transitional Justice Policy. Before joining ICTJ in 2023, Tafadzwa spent five years as a Teaching Assistant at the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, contributing to the Master of Advanced Studies in Transitional Justice, Human Rights, and the Rule of Law program. He also worked for four years as a UN Liaison and Advocacy Officer at International Bridges to Justice, where he spearheaded the organisation’s engagement with UN mechanisms. Earlier in his career, he served for nearly a decade as a Senior Projects Lawyer and Program Manager at the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, where he led public interest litigation and managed diverse human rights advocacy projects. Tafadzwa is a PhD candidate at the University of Geneva’s Law Faculty, with research focusing on the legal recognition and implementation of the right to truth in Africa. He holds a Master of Advanced Studies in Transitional Justice, Human Rights, and the Rule of Law (Summa Cum Laude) from the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, as well as an LL.B. (Honours) from the University of Zimbabwe.
Skills and expertise:	Versatile professional with 12+ years of practical experience and proven knowledge in international human rights law and transitional justice
Location:	Africa

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