Issues of justice, impinging on questions of national reconciliation, amnesty and prosecutions remain unresolved in many African countries. This risks bringing old patterns of conflict to the surface, eroding human security and development. It is at the interface between justice, sustainable reconciliation and economic development that the Institute conducts its work in post-conflict transitional societies in Africa.

The Programme works with African societies in transition at three complimentary and mutually supportive levels: engaged research and analysis, capacity building, and collaborative political intervention.  The Institute seeks to achieve a creative balance between justice and reconciliation, development and human security, contributing to the reconstruction of countries ravaged by war.

In the sphere of political engagement outside of South Africa, the Institute focuses on two geographic areas: the Great Lakes and Greater Horn Regions. In addition, the Institute's Zimbabwe Desk works to address the transitional challenges posed in that country, at national and regional levels.

In conjunction with the International Centre for Transitional Justice, the Institute annually hosts a Fellows Programme in transitional justice. This aims to provide young practitioners with concrete skills and a working knowledge of the issues, problems and opportunities that emerge during extended transitions to democracy. Participating countries have included Afghanistan, Angola, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, DRC, Ethiopia, Ghana, Indonesia, Israel, Kenya, Kosovo, Liberia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Palestine, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Serbia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Timor-Leste, Uganda and Zimbabwe.