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Justice: a Common Language for Global Stability

By Udo Jude Ilo

As the Munich Security Conference begins this week, one message must be clear: security investments alone will not bring sustainable peace.  Justice must be part of the strategies. In this piece, our CEO, Udo Jude Ilo, reflects on why strengthening justice systems is a pragmatic investment in security, economic stability and resilience.

Transit camp near Tunisia-Libya border. UN Photo/OCHA/David Ohana

The images of overcrowded boats drifting across the Mediterranean, packed with people fleeing violence and desperation, have become all too familiar. Migration trends from Africa and the Middle East are a stark reminder that instability in one region can send shockwaves across the globe.

According to the ACLED Conflict Index, conflict levels have doubled in the past five years, with 50 countries experiencing extreme, high, or turbulent levels of violence. The 2024 Global Peace Index reports that the world has grown less peaceful for the 12th time in 16 years. Wars and political crises in Sudan, the Sahel, and parts of the Middle East have forced thousands to embark on perilous journeys across the sea. The Mediterranean route remains one of the deadliest migration corridors in the world highlighting a pressing reality: when justice systems fail, insecurity rises, and the consequences transcend national borders.

The conflicts driving migration are not random outbreaks of violence; they are symptoms of deeper governance failures— dysfunctional justice systems allow disputes to fester, human rights abuses to go unchecked, and economic insecurity to deepen. Without pathways for resolving conflicts peacefully, tensions escalate into violence, fueling cycles of instability that extend far beyond national borders.

The “triangle of death” spanning Chad, Cameroon, and the Central African Republic is a stark example of how weak justice systems fuel instability. This region has seen a dramatic rise in organized crime, including kidnappings for ransom, which surged from 43 million Central African Francs (CFA) in 2022 to 52.4 million CFA in 2023. Criminal networks thrive where justice systems are weak or nonexistent, creating lawless spaces that breed insecurity, economic collapse, and regional instability. Left unaddressed, these dynamics spill over into migration crises, human trafficking, and terrorism—all of which demand international cooperation.

“Justice is not just a moral ideal; it is the common language of stability—one that can unite us in the pursuit of a safer, more equitable world.” 

A robust, people-centred justice system is fundamental to stability and resilience against conflict. It upholds the rule of law, protects human rights, and resolves disputes effectively. When justice fails, economic disparities deepen, and people seek security elsewhere—often through perilous migration routes.

Most unresolved justice problems stem from fundamental relationships: between family members, neighbors, employers and employees, landlords and tenants, or citizens and governments. Crime and safety disputes, in particular, erode people’s sense of security, pushing them towards desperate measures.

By investing in justice systems that improve resolution rates, we can restore these relationships, strengthen communities, rebuild trust in governments, and enable people to move forward with their lives in peace. There is strong evidence that access to justice empowers individuals, promotes inclusivity, reduces violence, and strengthens governance. A well-functioning justice system that meets the diverse needs of communities is not just a moral imperative—it is a practical necessity for preserving the social contract and ensuring regional and global stability.

Global Leaders Convene at the 60th Munich Security Conference. Photo: Michaela Stache/MSC

For policymakers, the evidence is clear: investing in justice yields real, measurable benefits—not only for affected regions but for the world at large. Strengthening legal frameworks and institutions combats transnational crime and terrorism, reducing threats to international security. Stable legal environments attract investment, fueling economic development and opening markets for global trade. Addressing the root causes of migration—conflict, insecurity, and lack of opportunities—leads to more orderly migration patterns, benefiting both origin and destination countries.

The European Union has already acknowledged that its security is tied to that of its neighbors. The 2016 EU Global Strategy framed its partnership with Africa as one of “enlightened self-interest”, recognizing that Africa is not a distant continent but part of Europe’s immediate neighborhood. This approach highlights the need for deeper collaboration—not just on crisis management, but on building the foundations of lasting stability.

“For policymakers, the evidence is clear: investing in justice yields real, measurable benefits—not only for affected regions but for the world at large.”

At The Hague Institute for Innovation of Law (HiiL) we have seen firsthand that justice must be at the heart of this collaboration. Justice is not charity—it is a smart, pragmatic investment in global security and stability. People-centred justice systems—those designed to resolve the everyday problems of citizens—are particularly crucial. They prevent conflicts before they escalate, empower communities, and strengthen trust in government.

The Munich Security Conference presents a vital opportunity to turn these insights into action. Europe and Africa must move beyond rhetoric and forge a genuine partnership with justice as its cornerstone. The absence of justice in one region fuels insecurity across continents, but its presence lays the foundation for peace, prosperity, and inclusion.

For Europe, supporting justice reform in Africa and elsewhere is an act of enlightened self-interest—one that addresses the root causes of migration, curtails transnational threats, and opens new avenues for economic partnership. Justice is not just a moral ideal; it is the common language of stability—one that can unite us in the pursuit of a safer, more equitable world.

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