Introduction: A Day of Justice, Memory, and Movement
On 29 May 2025, the Africa Judges and Jurists Forum (AJJF) marked Africa Day with purpose and unity, aligning with the African Union’s theme: “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations.” In partnership with key institutions and networks, AJJF proudly co-hosted two landmark virtual events that reaffirmed its deepening commitment to reparative justice and democratic integrity:
- The Annual Africa Day Webinar hosted by the Africa Electoral Justice Network (AEJN), focusing on electoral dispute resolution for judiciaries.
- The Colloquium on Mainstreaming Reparatory Justice in Legal Education in Africa, culminating in the launch of the Africa Reparations Database.
Webinar Highlight: Strengthening Electoral Dispute Resolution
Organized under the theme, “Comparative Conversation on Election Dispute Resolution Training for Judiciaries in Africa,” the Africa Day Webinar convened regional experts, judges, and legal scholars to reflect on electoral justice across diverse African jurisdictions.
The AJJF, as a founding partner of AEJN, used this platform to emphasize the importance of:
- Professionalizing judiciary roles in electoral dispute resolution.
- Enhancing cross-border knowledge exchange.
- Building institutional frameworks that resist political manipulation of courts.
This conversation underscored the necessity of a well-trained, independent judiciary as a cornerstone of credible elections and democratic resilience in Africa.
🕒 Time: 14h00 – 16h30
🌍 Date: 29 May 2025
📌 Virtual Event
Reparatory Justice Colloquium: Launching a Legacy
Earlier in the day, AJJF joined legal education leaders at the Colloquium on Mainstreaming Reparatory Justice in Legal Education in Africa, hosted by the University of the Free State’s Africa Reparation Hub and co-convened with universities from Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa—and the AJJF.
The colloquium’s panels brought to the fore crucial themes:
- Panel I: Is Reparation a Path to Peace and Development? (University of Ilorin)
- Panel II: Role of Legal Institutions in Raising Consciousness (Strathmore University)
- Panel III: AJJF-led discussion on Decolonizing Legal Education for Reparatory Justice
- Panel IV: Tackling Racial Discrimination as Reparation (UFS and Global Reparation Circle)
A landmark moment was the launch of the Africa Reparations Database, a crucial tool for documentation, research, and legal mobilization.
🕒 Time: 10h00 – 16h00
📌 Virtual Venue
🎤 AJJF participated in: Panel III: “From Resistance to Regression and Back”
AJJF’s Continuing Role in the Struggle for Reparative Justice
For AJJF, reparative justice is not a one-time event—it is an enduring mission.
As an independent platform for Africa’s judges and jurists, AJJF continues to:
- Amplify legal voices advocating for reparations linked to slavery, colonialism, and racial injustices.
- Collaborate with academic and civil society partners to decolonize curricula and train reparative leaders.
- Push for documentation, restitution, and reform that restores the dignity of affected communities.
The Africa Day 2025 observances were not just symbolic—they were acts of solidarity, scholarship, and systems-building.
In Closing: Justice as a Legacy
Africa Day reminds us of the continent’s resilience, memory, and duty. For AJJF, the road ahead involves:
- Deepening judicial independence
- Advancing legal tools for reparations
- Supporting youth and women voices in transitional justice spaces
Let this day be a reminder that justice is not inherited—it is built.
🖋️ Stay connected with AJJF as we continue the work of memory, accountability, and repair.
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