Does Ethiopia Have a Workable Transitional Justice Framework? Appraisal of the Challenges of Sustainable Peacebuilding

Abstract

Enduring peace in Ethiopia through transitional justice is critically challenged by the lingering effects of human rights violations in the past and present. This article examines how Ethiopia’s transitional justice laws and policies provide a workable framework to address the unresolved and ongoing issues of conflict and injustices, characterised by systemic impunity and deep-seated grievances that undermine the peacebuilding efforts. A legal and historical analysis of Ethiopia’s transitional justice approach demonstrates that the absence of effective truth-seeking and restorative justice mechanisms perpetuates a cycle of retribution and hinders genuine reconciliation. The article argues that achieving sustainable peace necessitates a strategy that balances justice and reconciliation. It emphasises the importance of establishing credible accountability measures, fostering inclusive dialogue, and implementing institutional reforms to break the cycle of human rights violations and impunity. Therefore, Ethiopia's experience highlights that the ability to navigate the complexities of seeking justice while promoting healing will determine its path to a more peaceful state through context-specific approaches tailored to achieving sustainable peace.                                 

Keywords: Ethiopia, Transitional Justice, Peace, Impunity, Reconciliation