Africa’s Regional Economic Communities (RECs) play a key role in helping address the regional and transboundary dimensions of conflicts and violent repression. As the 2019 African Union Transitional Justice Policy notes, they do this by promoting normalisation of relationships among affected neighbouring countries and creating common understanding on transitional processes.
RECs are guided by frameworks and instruments on peace and security, democratic governance, justice and inclusive development, as well as cross-cutting issues such as gender and climate, which can be mobilised by various stakeholders seeking to promote transitional justice on the continent.
Arab Maghreb Union
According to its founding treaty, the aims of the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU) are strengthening the ties of brotherhood which link the member states and their peoples to one another, achieving progress and prosperity of their societies and defending their rights, contributing to the preservation of peace based on justice and equity, pursuing a common policy in different domains, and ...
Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa
The treaty establishing the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) states its aims and objectives to be attaining sustainable growth and development of the member states, promoting joint development in all fields of economic activity and the joint adoption of macro-economic policies and programmes to raise the standard of living of its peoples, cooperating in the creation of ...
Community of Sahel-Saharan States
According to its founding treaty, the objectives of the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD) are the preservation and consolidation of peace, security and stability in the CEN-SAD zone; promotion of political dialogue and the fight against cross-border crime and its related scourges such as trafficking in drugs, arms and human beings, money-laundering and terrorism; combating desertification, drought and climate change ...
East African Community
The Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community (EAC) states its objectives to be developing policies and programmes aimed at widening and deepening cooperation among the partner states in the political, economic, social and cultural fields, research and technology, and defence, security and legal and judicial affairs, for their mutual benefit ...
Economic Community of Central African States
According to its founding treaty, aim of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) is to promote and strengthen harmonious cooperation and balanced and self-sustained development in all fields of economic and social activity, particularly in the fields of industry, transport and communications, energy agriculture, natural resources, trade, customs, monetary and financial matters, human resources, tourism, education, further training, ...
Economic Community of West African States
The founding treaty of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) states that its aim is to promote co-operation and integration, leading to the establishment of an economic union in West Africa in order to raise the living standards of its peoples, and to maintain and enhance economic stability, foster relations among member states, and contribute to the progress ...
Intergovernmental Authority on Development
The agreement establishing the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) states that its aims and objectives include promoting joint development strategies and gradually harmonising macro-economic policies and programmes in the social, technological and scientific fields, as well as promoting peace and stability in the subregion and creating mechanisms within the subregion for the prevention, management and resolution of inter- and intra-state ...
Southern African Development Community
According to its founding treaty, the objectives of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) include promoting sustainable and equitable economic growth and socioeconomic development that will ensure poverty alleviation with the ultimate objective of its eradication, enhancing the standard and quality of life of the people of Southern Africa and supporting the socially disadvantaged through economic integration, as well as ...