Lots to Gain and Little to Lose

This chapter explores how in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), as a non-transitional context, transitional justice discourse and logic is mobilised in diverse and innovative ways. While some justice initiatives explicitly adopt the rhetoric of transitional justice, others align with its logic and objectives without directly invoking the language. The chapter examines three key cases: how specific groups, such as youth, engage in transitional justice claims; how particular demands, notably regarding sexual and gender-based violence, shape justice efforts; and how transitional justice is repurposed in new struggles, including environmental justice. Through perspectives from eastern DRC, the chapter highlights how innovation and experimentation emerge in response to institutional limitations and contextual needs, ultimately questioning and expanding the boundaries of transitional justice as both a discourse and a practice.