Transitional Justice

Building a Sudanese Vision for Transitional Justice: Strengthening Victim-Centred Civic Engagement and Accountability (2019–2025)

The Sudanese Civil Coalition for Transitional Justice (SCCTJ), coordinated by the Al Khatim Adlan Centre for Enlightenment and Human Development (KACE), is one of Sudan’s largest civil society platforms working on transitional justice. Established in December 2019, the coalition brings together more than 40 civil society organisations, victims’ groups, human rights defenders, researchers, lawyers, journalists, and independent experts committed to advancing accountability, truth-seeking, reparations, institutional reform, and sustainable peace in Sudan.

Since its establishment, the coalition has played a leading role in promoting a victim-centred approach to transitional justice through research, consultations, advocacy, public awareness, capacity building, and policy engagement. It has worked to ensure that the voices of victims, survivors, women, youth, and conflict-affected communities are reflected in national discussions on justice, peacebuilding, and democratic transition.

Between 2020 and 2025, the coalition organised a series of national and regional consultations, workshops, and policy dialogues involving hundreds of participants from across Sudan. These efforts culminated in the National Conference on Transitional Justice held in Khartoum in March 2023, which brought together more than 800 participants and generated a comprehensive Sudanese vision for transitional justice based on 690 recommendations collected through six regional consultations.

Following the outbreak of war in April 2023, the coalition adapted its work to address emerging challenges by supporting documentation initiatives, strengthening civil society coordination, updating its strategic framework, and advocating for the integration of transitional justice into peace negotiations and future political settlements.

The coalition continues to work with national, regional, and international partners to promote accountability, protect victims’ rights, preserve evidence, and support an inclusive and sustainable pathway towards peace, justice, reconciliation, and democratic governance in Sudan.

Key Achievements

Establishment of a national coalition comprising more than 40 civil society organisations.
Organisation of six regional consultations across Sudan involving approximately 690 participants.
Contribution to the National Conference on Transitional Justice attended by over 800 participants.
Development of a Sudanese transitional justice framework centred on victims’ rights and participation.
Production of policy recommendations and advocacy initiatives supporting accountability and non-recurrence.
Strengthening collaboration between civil society organisations, victims’ groups, legal experts, and international partners.
Updating the coalition’s strategy to respond to the impacts of the Sudan conflict and humanitarian crisis.

Lessons Learned

Meaningful participation of victims is essential for the legitimacy and sustainability of transitional justice processes.
Women and youth must be actively involved in decision-making and peacebuilding efforts.
Documentation and evidence preservation remain critical during armed conflict.
Strong coordination among civil society actors enhances advocacy impact and policy influence.
Transitional justice should be integrated into peace negotiations and post-conflict recovery frameworks from the outset.

1. Group photo from the National Conference on Transitional Justice (March 2023).

2. Group photo from the National Conference on Transitional Justice (March 2023).

3. Photos from the workshop to update the Coalition’s strategy in Kampala following the outbreak of war (September 2024).

4.Photos from a joint session between members of the Civil Coalition for Transitional Justice and the United Nations Mission in Sudan, led by Volker Perthes, focused on consultations regarding the six regional workshops on transitional justice.

5. A session of members of the Civil Coalition for Transitional Justice held at the Grand Holiday Villa following General Burhan’s coup against the civilian transitional government on 25 October 2021, to deliberate on the future of transitional justice in Sudan.