A Landmark CSO Event by the African Judges & Jurists Forum (AJJF) on the Margins of the AU Summit 2025.
Date: 11th February 2025
Location: Best Western Premier Dynasty Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
The African Judges & Jurists Forum (AJJF), in collaboration with the following key organizations:
- African Futures Lab (AfaLab)
- African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (AU-ECOSOCC)
- Minority Rights Group (MRG)
- Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU)
- Reform Initiatives (RI)
successfully hosted the “Amplifying Voices and Building Alliances for Reparatory Justice and Healing” CSO event on the sidelines of the African Union (AU) Summit 2025. The event aligned with the AU’s 2025 Theme of the Year: Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations, emphasizing the legal, advocacy, and mobilization strategies needed to address historical injustices.
This milestone gathering brought together judges, legal experts, civil society organizations (CSOs), representatives of affected communities, diplomats, and media professionals to engage in dynamic discussions on reparations, legal advocacy, and historical justice.
A total of five civil society organizations, alongside the Economic Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC), played a key role in organizing this event, ensuring diverse representation from affected communities across Africa.
Keynote Address: Hon. Justice Isaac Lenaola
The event began with a powerful keynote address delivered by Hon. Justice Isaac Lenaola, Judge of the Supreme Court of Kenya and Vice President of the Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone a distinguished member of AJJF. His speech emphasized the critical role of law in reparations, advocating for strategic litigation, judicial accountability, and legal frameworks to facilitate justice for historical crimes.
“Justice is not a relic of the past; it is a living commitment to righting historical wrongs and ensuring accountability.” – Hon. Justice Isaac Lenaola a distinguished member of AJJF
Photos of Hon. Justice Isaac Lenaola
Panel I: The Law, Lawyers & Reparatory Justice
Examining Legal Pathways to Justice and Accountability
This session explored the legal frameworks available for reparatory justice and the role of legal professionals in advancing accountability. Discussions highlighted successful court cases, legal strategies, and policy reforms that have set precedents in reparations litigation.
Moderated by: Henrietta Ekefre [Legal Advisor, Reparations Program, AJJF]
Panelists:
- Joshua Castilleno – Co-Director, Minority Rights Group (via video statement)
- Ruth Ogbewekon – Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU)
- Gretchen Rohr – Reform Initiatives
Key Takeaways:
- The necessity of regional and international legal instruments to strengthen claims for reparations.
- The role of lawyers in facilitating strategic litigation and advancing reparatory justice efforts.
- Legal victories such as Belgium’s ruling on crimes against humanity set a global precedent.
Panel II: Making the Case for Reparations
Insights from Namibia and Kenya
This session focused on the impact of land dispossession, genocide, and colonial injustices in Namibia and Kenya, highlighting the ongoing struggle for reparations.
Moderated by : Makmid Kamara [RI]
Panelists:
- Johannes ‘Maboss’ Ortmann – Nama Traditional Leaders Association (NTLA)
- Joyce Muzengua – Landless Peoples’ Movement (LPM)
- Caroline Chepkorir – Ogiek Community
Key Takeaways:
- The Nama and Herero genocide committed by Germany remains one of the most overlooked atrocities, requiring urgent reparatory action.
- The Ogiek community’s victory at the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights serves as a legal precedent for other indigenous land claims.
- Restitution must cover land, cultural identity, and economic justice.
Panel III: The Role of Law, Public Advocacy, and Mass Mobilization in Reparatory Justice
Case Study: Abducted Mixed-Race Children from Burundi & DR Congo
This session shed light on the historical injustices suffered by abducted mixed-race children, highlighting the need for acknowledgment, restitution, and policy reform.
Moderated By: Dr.Liliane Umubyeyi Co-Founder, Africa Futures Lab [Afalab]
Panelists:
- Rachel Iladi Kapombo (D.R. Congo)
- Issa Niyongere (Burundi)
- Genevieve Kaninda (Africa Futures Lab – AfaLab)
Key Takeaways:
- European colonial administrations forcibly abducted thousands of mixed-race children, erasing their identities and subjecting them to trauma.
- Legal action must focus on demanding state accountability for these atrocities.
- Reparations should include formal recognition, financial restitution, and psychological support for survivors and their descendants.
Film Screening: The German Genocide in Namibia
A special screening was held on the German genocide in Namibia, presented by Johannes ‘Maboss’ Ortmann(NTLA). The film depicted the brutal extermination of the Nama and Herero peoples, emphasizing the urgent need for reparations from Germany.
“A crime without accountability is an invitation for history to repeat itself. We demand justice, not charity.” – Johannes ‘Maboss’ Ortmann
Outcomes & Future Steps
This event reinforced the urgent call for reparatory justice across Africa and the diaspora. Key commitments were made:
- Strengthening legal frameworks to push for reparations through African courts and international tribunals.
- Increasing public awareness through media, advocacy campaigns, and academic research.
- Forging alliances between affected communities and civil society organizations to demand state accountability.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
The African Judges & Jurists Forum (AJJF), alongside AU-ECOSOCC and key partners, reaffirmed its commitment to reparatory justice. This event set the stage for concrete legal, policy, and advocacy actions that will continue beyond the AU Summit.
The discussions were richly documented through photos of each panel, showcasing the engagement and impact of this historic convening. These images will serve as powerful visual records of the fight for justice, restitution, and healing.
As this movement grows, AJJF and its partners remain steadfast in ensuring that historical crimes do not remain unchallenged, but are met with accountability, justice, and reparations.