The African Union Commission, represented by Ambassador Salah Hammad, is spotlighting Ethiopia’s pioneering approaches to governance, rule of law, and conflict resolution at a landmark conference in Bahir Dar, Amhara Region.

The first International Conference on Rule of Law and Alternative Dispute Resolution for Sustainable Peace and Development kicked off today in Bahir Dar city of Ethiopia with Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh in attendance.

The event also, attended by government officials, academics, and regional stakeholders, highlights Ethiopia’s innovative practices in transitional justice and alternative dispute resolution as models for Africa.

In his address to the conference, Ambassador Hammad who is also Head of the AGA-APSA Secretariat, emphasized the continental significance of the conference, noting that Ethiopia’s locally rooted justice mechanisms—such as elders’ councils, faith-based reconciliation, and community mediation—offer replicable solutions for peacebuilding and sustainable development across Africa.

“This conference plays a vital role in strengthening the rule of law and peacebuilding, which are key to sustainable development,” he noted.

The conference serves as a platform for Ethiopia to share its best practices while contributing to the African Union’s continental policies, including the 2019 Transitional Justice Policy, which addresses legacies of conflict and human rights violations through inclusive and sustainable processes.

Ambassador Hammad underlined that the AU advocates for a rule of law that is accessible and understandable to all citizens, ensuring broad participation in governance and justice processes.

Highlighting Ethiopia’s contribution, Ambassador Hammad praised the country’s innovative practices in alternative dispute resolution. “We have learned about Ethiopia’s elders’ councils, faith-based reconciliation processes, and other community-based mediation systems. These are not only part of Ethiopia’s traditions and culture but are models that can be replicated across the continent,” he said.

He stressed that locally legitimate justice mechanisms—rooted in mediation, reconciliation, and dialogue—play a critical role in preventing violence, restoring social cohesion, and reducing pressure on formal judicial systems.

The African Union has increasingly recognized these mechanisms as integral to transitional justice processes, providing space for women, youth, and community leaders to actively participate.

“The outcomes of this conference should not be confined to the Amhara region or Ethiopia,” Ambassador Hammad said.

“They are meant to inform African jurisprudence and benefit citizens across the continent, supporting stability, development, and peace throughout Africa.”

The conference represents a platform for Ethiopia to share its best practices in governance and conflict resolution while contributing directly to the African Union’s continental agenda for sustainable peace and justice.

The International Conference on the Rule of Law and Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms for Sustainable Peace and Development, is jointly organized by the Amhara Regional Supreme Court and Bahir Dar University.