The Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR), in collaboration with the International Center for Transitional Justice, on the 29 July 2025 hosted a powerful webinar exploring the intersection between migration, displacement and transitional justice in Africa. The discussion brought together leading voices in governance, human rights, and peacebuilding, raising urgent questions about how Africa responds to forced migration and the injustices that accompany it.

In her opening remarks, Anna Moyo, Executive Director at CSVR, emphasised that forced migration is not only a humanitarian crisis but also a profound human rights and justice issue. She noted that when people flee conflict, disasters or political repression they lose not just their homes and livelihoods but also fundamental rights and dignity. “Displacement suspends lives,” she said, “and transitional justice must account for restitution, psychosocial support and the rebuilding of communities.”

Nyasha Mpani Project leader at IJR, presented data from the Afrobarometer 2024 survey, showing that nearly half (47%) of Africans have considered migrating. Countries such as Liberia (78%), Gambia (68%), and Ghana (61%) show the highest migration intentions, driven by unemployment, poverty, political repression, climate stress, and social inequality. “Migration in Africa is not only about borders it’s about broken systems,” Mpani argued, calling for political will and better alignment between migration policies and transitional justice frameworks.

From a rights-based perspective, Achieng Akena, a Kenyan human rights practitioner, challenged prevailing narratives that frame African migration as a “crisis.” She stressed that mobility has always been part of Africa’s history and identity, yet external actors often securitise and criminalise it. “Migration is human,” she reminded participants. “It is a right, not a threat. Transitional justice must move beyond legal definitions to address lived realities and ensure that displaced persons are not excluded from truth, reparations and reconciliation processes.”

The panel also highlighted the African Union Transitional Justice Policy (AUTJP) and the Migration Policy Framework for Africa as key instruments. However, gaps remain in implementation and in recognising displaced persons as rights holders rather than passive recipients of aid. Civil society, academia and communities were urged to play a stronger role in shaping inclusive, Afrocentric migration narratives and policies.

The discussion also underscored the critical role of youth, who make up the majority of Africa’s population yet remain sidelined in migration governance. Calls were made for their meaningful inclusion, not as symbolic participants but as central actors in policy design and decision-making.

Closing reflections stressed the importance of political will, convergence between existing frameworks, and reimagining transitional justice as a forward-looking tool that addresses structural causes of displacement. As one panellist concluded: “Migration must be seen as an opportunity for renewal, social cohesion and continental integration not simply as a crisis to be contained.”