Peacebuilding and Transitional Justice Strategies as a Model in Post-Conflict Countries: Rwanda as a Case Study

Abstract

Peacebuilding and transitional justice are fundamental concepts that have gained significant traction in the post-conflict era. This concept has evolved over the decades, beginning with the philosophical ideas of medieval thinkers Immanuel Kant and Pascal in the 18th century, continuing through the establishment of the United Nations and the League of Arab States in the mid-20th century, and culminating in the concepts of Johan Galtung and Oliver Richmond. Following the Cold War, modern initiatives such as the Peace Agenda proposed by UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali have emerged, contributing to a broader understanding of peacebuilding that encompasses social, political, and economic dimensions. In this context, the study indicates that peacebuilding involves four main pillars: providing security, building strong social foundations, establishing permanent peace institutions, and achieving national reconciliation. Various intellectual approaches have emerged, some broad, encompassing all aspects of peace, and others narrow, focusing solely on security considerations. Regarding the case of Rwanda, the efforts to build peace and transitional justice after the genocide after 1994 were evident, as this experience focused on disarmament, institutional reform, victim compensation, and building national reconciliation, which contributed to the country’s long-term stability.