Civil Society, Media and Academia                                 (CSMA)

This deals with empowering and capacitating CSOs to adopt rights-based, pragmatic and context-sensitive interventions to guide and monitor transitional justice and dialogue processes. It also works with the media on issues of transforming violence through responsible reporting that ensures informed public participation in the peacebuilding process and create a transitional justice momentum in situation countries. ACT also aims at closely working with academic institutions to establish and strengthen a network of transitional justice and peacebuilding experts, including introducing academic programs on these subjects

Transnational Transitional Justice

Transitional justice is traditionally limited to a national process that is inward-looking. It often does not deal with situations where violence committed in one country is perpetrated by nationals or forces of another, often a neighbouring country.

Transnational Transitional Justice (TTJ) represents a strategic area of focus for the Centre, characterised by its collaborative efforts with the African Union Commission and various regional blocs. The primary objective within this domain is to champion the cause of cross-border transitional justice. This initiative is crucial for addressing instances of violence that not only victimise individuals across several countries but also pertain to scenarios where the perpetrators' actions are not confined to the territorial limits of a single nation.

The significance of TTJ lies in its capacity to bridge gaps in justice and accountability that often emerge in the context of transnational crimes and conflicts. By fostering partnerships with key continental and regional entities, the Centre seeks to facilitate a more cohesive and unified approach to transitional justice. This involves prioritising dialogues and interventions that span multiple jurisdictions, thereby ensuring that the complexities of cross-border violence are adequately addressed.

Through its engagement in TTJ, the Centre aims to contribute to the development of frameworks and strategies that are both inclusive and effective in delivering justice to victims, holding perpetrators accountable, and preventing the recurrence of such violence. This effort underscores the importance of collaborative, multi-country initiatives in the quest for a more just and peaceful world where the rule of law transcends national boundaries to protect the rights and dignity of all individuals affected by conflict and violence.

Corruption and Organized Crimes (COC)

This dwells on the interplay between transitional periods and organized (transnational) crimes. It examines how political transitions provide a conducive environment for organized criminal networks and how the potential surge in organized criminal activities may halt reforms and progress of a transitional period.

Conflict Root-Causes and Evolution (CRCE)

This program aims to investigate conflicts and their evolution as leading to violent transitions with the aim of preventing conflict escalation and dealing with the past through evidence and dialogue.

Human Rights and the Rule of Law (HRRL)

In a transitional context and with the aim of preventing and transforming violent transitions, the human rights and the rule of law program deals with the implementation and enforcement of human rights norms and mechanisms, including institutional reform and good governance.

Accountability and Transitional Justice (ATJ)

This programmatic area focuses on the design and implementation of various elements of transitional justice, such as criminal accountability for gross human rights violations, reparations, amnesty, and truth-finding. It focuses on questions of participation, sequencing, and synergy in the implementation of transitional justice as well as in employing traditional dispute resolution mechanisms as indigenous tools of conflict management and peacebuilding.