The Central African Republic has a dire need for transitional justice, as expressed in the outcomes of high-level meetings, such as the Bangui Forum. In 2020, a law was passed establishing a Truth, Justice, Reparations and Reconciliation Commission. Commissioners have been appointed, and the enormous task of establishing how they will fulfil their duties lies ahead. This policy brief considers the Commission’s mandate and makes recommendations for how its work can be most effective, based on lessons from past commissions and the application of the African Union’s Transitional Justice Policy. Among these, a victim centred approach and broad outreach strategy will be paramount, while building on past efforts to document and analyse cycles of violence.
