From July 10-13, I had the pleasure of conducting the first partnership briefing with the US Mission to the African Union (USAU) and the Institute for Peace and Security Studies (IPSS), Addis Ababa University, in Ethiopia. My trip coincided with the peace agreement between Ethiopia and Eritrea, and also key moments in peace negotiations in South Sudan.
On the evening of July 11, we joined together at the residence of the United States Ambassador to the African Union, Mary Beth Leonard, with 15 South Sudanese representatives of civil society. We sat around a large table, in front of a roaring fireplace, warming the cool, rainy season night. It was reminiscent of a parlor or salon meeting, or a fireside chat; we discussed transitional justice and processes in Africa, how civil society can help in ensuring peace in South Sudan, based on examples (or lack of examples) in other African countries and contexts.
On the morning of July 12, we gathered at IPSS, with 60 guests in attendance, representing various diplomatic missions, defense attaches, ministries of foreign affairs, civil society, NGOs and international NGOs, and students. I presented on Transitional Justice in the Great Lakes Region of Africa: Theory and Practice. The questions posted touched on the example of the transitional justice process in Rwanda, and provided recommendations for states including DRC and South Sudan. Finally, I was interviewed on AfroFM, the only English radio station in Addis Ababa, for the show Real Talk USA. It was an exciting event, and I thank the USAU, Ambassador Leonard, and IPSS for hosting me.
Samantha Lakin, Ph.D. 