Rwanda is transforming the delivery of justice by integrating mental health awareness into legal proceedings. Rwanda’s Ministry of Justice, in partnership with African Peace Partners (APP), has launched a seven-month programme to train over 40 professionals in trauma-informed mediation and restorative justice. The initiative, which began on December 5 in Kigali, aims to move beyond legal settlements toward addressing the deeper causes of conflict and crime.
The programme brings together experts from justice, healthcare, and education, creating a multidisciplinary approach that recognizes how trauma, whether personal, communal, or historical, shapes behaviour. By embedding mental health into Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), the initiative also supports Rwanda’s 2022 ADR Policy, which seeks to reduce court backlogs while repairing social fabrics torn by historical violence.
Chantal Mudahogora, a psychotherapist at Solid Mind Clinic, explained that many individuals entering the justice system are struggling with impaired decision-making rather than acting out of malice.
“Mental health conditions can lead to behaviour that causes harm. This programme isn’t about excusing crime, it’s about breaking cycles of repeat offences by offering follow-up care and support.”
Théophile Mbonera, Permanent Secretary at MINIJUST, described the training as a “continuous learning journey, emphasizing that true justice requires understanding the broader human context behind every case.
“Effective mediation goes beyond the legal dispute; it considers personal histories, trauma, and social circumstances. That’s why we included healthcare and trauma specialists. Mediation isn’t just a handshake, it’s about addressing emotional wounds and helping communities heal,” he said.
While Rwanda’s approach is gaining renewed attention, the integration of restorative justice with psychosocial support reflects a broader shift across parts of Africa, where justice systems are increasingly recognising the role of trauma and mental well-being in conflict and crime.
In South Africa, restorative justice practices rooted in the post-apartheid Truth and Reconciliation Commission placed public testimony, acknowledgment of harm, and reconciliation at the centre of national healing, with psychological recovery playing a critical, though often informal, role.
Countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, and Ghana have also expanded Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms, particularly for community disputes and youth-related offences, with growing involvement of counsellors, probation officers, and social workers.
Across the continent, many traditional justice systems have long prioritised reconciliation, reintegration, and community dialogue—principles that align closely with modern mental health–informed justice, even where clinical terminology was not used.
Returning to Africa’s roots
While the terminology may sound modern, Emily J. Gould, co-director of APP, noted that trauma-informed and restorative justice reflect longstanding African traditions of community-based conflict resolution.
“Legal systems introduced during colonisation were often inadequate for our societies. Historically, conflicts in African communities were resolved within social and cultural contexts, not solely in courts. This programme blends modern science with our indigenous wisdom to restore cohesion and harmony.”
Dr. Thomas Hübl, an international trauma expert, highlighted that trauma is a natural survival mechanism, and societies, like individuals, have an innate capacity to heal. “Justice that ignores trauma only perpetuates cycles of violence,” he said.
Many African countries grapple with post-conflict trauma, communitytensions, and overloaded court systems. By incorporating mental health into dispute resolution, justice systems can prevent crime, reduce repeat offences, and rebuild social cohesion.
The approach also calls for community participation. Families, civil society groups, religious institutions, and local leaders play a crucial role in creating spaces for dialogue and healing. Public awareness campaigns are needed to show that justice can restore lives, not just enforce rules.
Across Africa, integrating mental health into justice processes could transform courts from reactive institutions into proactive agents of social healing, ensuring that individuals, families, and communities are supported rather than punished alone.
Ultimately, Rwanda’s model highlights a vision of justice rooted in dignity, empathy, and shared responsibility. This vision resonates far beyond its borders and could inspire the continent’s approach to post-conflict recovery and community resilience.
As African countries continue to grapple with the effects of conflict, rapid urbanisation, and intergenerational trauma, a continent-wide embrace of mental health–informed justice could offer a pathway for justice systems to evolve beyond punishment and address the root causes of harm.
