Addis Ababa, November 17, 2025 (FMC) — The African Union Commission has intensified efforts to advance post-conflict reconstruction and reparative justice across Africa through the fifth annual Awareness Week on Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD), scheduled for November 17 to 23, 2025, according to a statement from the Commission.
Launched in 2021, the event has become a key platform for mobilizing political will, partnerships, and resources to implement the AU Commission’s revised PCRD policy.
The statement said this year’s PCRD Week carries the theme “Rebuilding Lives after Conflict through Reparative Justice,” highlighting the human dimension of peacebuilding. It noted that justice, restitution, and rehabilitation remain essential components of sustainable recovery and long-term stability in countries emerging from conflict.
The initiative reinforces the link between peace, security, governance, human rights, and development, while promoting inclusive approaches that restore trust and address the legacies of violence.
The AU Commission Chairperson, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, called on member states, regional organizations, women, youth, development partners, and academia to intensify joint efforts in building resilient societies.
He stressed that reparative justice—including reconciliation, mental health, and psycho-social support for victims—is central to restoring livelihoods and preventing the recurrence of violence.
The statement highlighted the Commission’s achievements since adopting the revised PCRD policy, including the operationalization of the AU Center for Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development, which provides technical support to member states navigating political transitions.
It also noted the contribution of Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, AU Champion on PCRD, for advancing African-led approaches to post-conflict recovery, and commended the Peace and Security Council for its engagement, including a 2025 session reviewing PCRD policy implementation and the five-year impact of the Awareness Week.
The AU Commission reaffirmed its commitment to supporting member states through strengthened institutional capacity, inclusive governance, and community-based recovery initiatives.
The statement emphasized empowering youth and women, fostering partnerships with civil society and academia, and promoting justice-based approaches that bridge reconciliation, development, and peace.
The Commission concluded by underlining its dedication to “Silencing the Guns” and advancing the goals of Agenda 2063, urging African and international stakeholders to unite in rebuilding lives, restoring dignity, and ensuring that post-conflict recovery delivers tangible peace dividends across the continent.