CUEA Hosts Public Lecture on Transitional Justice in Wartime
By Stephen Mbobu
The University, through its Faculty of Law and the Centre for Social Justice and Ethics, hosted a public lecture on November 3, 2026 at Langata Campus, bringing together experts to examine the legal, ethical, religious and humanitarian dimensions of transitional justice during armed conflicts.
Held under the theme “Transitional Justice in Wartime,” the lecture explored the challenges of promoting justice, peacebuilding, reconciliation and the protection of human dignity in conflict situations, with particular attention to the Great Lakes and Eastern Africa region and the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war.
The lecture featured two presentations. Dr. Joshua Joseph Niyo spoke on “Walking the Tightrope: International Humanitarian Law in the Great Lakes and Eastern Africa Region,” examining the application of international humanitarian law and the legal and humanitarian responsibilities that arise during armed conflicts. Dr. Niyo is the Regional Legal Adviser at the Diakonia International Humanitarian Law Centre in Nairobi, Kenya.
Archimandrite Very Rev. Prof. Cyril Hovorun delivered a presentation titled “Christian Churches and Ecumenical Lessons from the Russia–Ukraine War,” exploring the contribution of Christian churches and ecumenical organisations to peacebuilding, justice, reconciliation and humanitarian response.
Drawing lessons from the Russia–Ukraine war, Prof. Hovorun identified four critical priorities for Ukraine during and after the conflict: disarming the aggressor to prevent renewed attacks, restoring affected communities and infrastructure, challenging the ideology of the so-called Russian World, and establishing justice through accountability for perpetrators and redress for victims.
A key focus of his presentation was restorative justice and its role in addressing the consequences of conflict. Drawing on the experience of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, he highlighted the importance of documenting victims’ experiences, supporting judicial processes and helping survivors overcome trauma.
He emphasised that truth must precede reconciliation, noting that lasting peace cannot be achieved by forgetting past injustices. Restorative justice, he observed, should complement rather than replace conventional judicial processes, providing additional avenues for healing, accountability and social reconciliation.
The presentation further examined the role of churches as advocates for human dignity and justice. Drawing comparisons between the South African Council of Churches and Ukraine’s interfaith religious structures, Prof. Hovorun illustrated how religious institutions can support communities facing oppression while also holding political leadership accountable for injustice, corruption and human rights violations.
He also highlighted the plight of Ukrainian children reportedly taken to Russia or Russian-occupied territories, raising concerns about forced indoctrination and militarisation through organisations such as Yunarmiya, a Russian youth military movement.
Another issue explored was the recruitment of African nationals into the Russian military through misleading employment opportunities. Citing examples from Kenya, Ghana, Burundi, Zimbabwe and South Africa, the presentation raised concerns about young Africans being lured with promises of civilian employment before being drawn into military service.
Beyond the political and military dimensions of the conflict, Prof. Hovorun highlighted practical examples of wartime ecumenism, including humanitarian assistance, the establishment of humanitarian hubs, delivery of relief supplies and support for vulnerable communities. Particular attention was given to elderly residents living under constant artillery fire and the efforts to provide them with essential support.
Archimandrite Very Rev. Prof. Cyril Hovorun is a Professor of Ecclesiology, International Relations and Ecumenism at the Stockholm School of Eastern Christian Studies and Director of the Huffington Ecumenical Institute at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. A graduate of the Kyiv Theological Academy and the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, he completed his doctorate at Durham University.
Rev. Dr. Peter Mbaro, Director of the Centre for Social Justice and Ethics, served as the discussant, guiding reflections on the issues raised during the presentations.
Opening the session, Prof. Justus Munyoki, CUEA Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, noted that conflicts today are not confined to the developing world, citing the US–Iran conflict and the Russia–Ukraine war.
He called for dialogue at practical levels, urging academics to find the role they could play in these disputes, and thanked the Faculty of Law and the Centre for Social Justice and Ethics (CSJE) for spearheading the sessions.
The public lecture provided an interdisciplinary platform for examining how legal frameworks, religious institutions and humanitarian initiatives can contribute to addressing the consequences of armed conflict. It also underscored the importance of justice, accountability, truth and reconciliation in building sustainable peace and protecting vulnerable populations.
The forum was moderated by Dr. Charles Khamala, Dean of the Faculty of Law.