North Africa African Transitional Justice Hub

Algeria

Fearing a victory for the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS), the National Liberation Front (FLN) cancelled elections in December 1991, allowing the Algerian military to take control in a coup. Armed conflict erupted between the Algerian government and various Islamist rebel groups, which resulted in a 10-year civil war. The army repressed civilians suspected of supporting...

Truth Commissions

Algeria

The Ad Hoc Inquiry Commission in Charge of the Question of Disappearances (2003-2005) was formed as a subsidiary organ within the National Consultative Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, Algeria’s permanent human rights institution. According to the presidential decree laying out its mandate, the commission was invested with a specific mission and...

Regional Economic Communities Frameworks

Arab Maghreb Union

According to its founding treaty, the aims of the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU) are strengthening the ties of brotherhood which link the member states and their peoples to one another, achieving progress and prosperity of their societies and defending their rights, contributing to the preservation of peace based on justice and equity, pursuing a common...

Peace Agreements

Ceasefire Agreement between Algeria and France

Chapter 1 of the Agreement deals with the transitional agreements, and provides inter alia for the organisation of elections, public and individual liberties to be restored within the shortest period, persons interned and in detention would be released and amnesty would be proclaimed immediately, refugees and internally displaced persons would be assisted in returning, and...

Peace Agreements

Direct Talks between Western Sahara and Morocco

The Parties in responding to the Settlement Proposals agreed that the people of Western Sahara would choose freely and democratically between independence and integrating into Morocco, through a referendum. The Parties agreed that a Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General would oversee the period between the ceasefire and the holding of a referendum...

Peace Agreements

Draft Constitutional Charter for the Transitional Stage

The Draft Constitutional Charter aimed to establish a political democratic regime to be based upon the political multitude and multi-party system with a view to achieving a peaceful and democratic circulation of power. The Charter indicated that all Libyans would be equal before the law, enjoy equal civil and political rights and the same opportunities,...

Truth Commissions

Egypt

Egypt’s first Fact-Finding Commission, established in 2012 by then President Mohamed Morsi, was charged with gathering information and evidence about the killing and injury of demonstrators between 25 January 2011 and 30 June 2012, which included reviewing measures taken by the executive and the extent to which it cooperated with judicial authorities.

Transitional Justice Processes

Libya

Muammar Abu Minyar al-Qaddafi came to power in 1960 after overthrowing King Idris in a coup d’état. Qaddafi remained the head of state until his violent removal and death during the 2011 revolution. At the time, Libya’s uprising surpassed those of other Arab Spring countries with regard to the level of violence and human rights...

Peace Agreements

Libyan Political Agreement

The aim of the Agreement was to address the immediate suffering of the Libyan people and build a democratic civil state through national consensus. The preamble underscored the importance of Libyan women in conflict prevention and resolution as well as the need to engage the youth in peace-making. The Agreement set out Governing Principles, including...

Transitional Justice Processes

Morocco

Morocco is a racially and linguistically diverse country with a history of political upheaval rooted in early colonial occupation. Arabs and Imazighen (Berber) make up the largest percentage of the population, while other groups include descendants of Spanish refugees who fled the Reconquista and of Sub-Saharan African slaves. The country’s status as a French protectorate...