Usani Odum African Transitional Justice Hub

Transitional Justice Processes

Liberia

Liberia’s history as the first African state to proclaim independence in 1847 makes it one of the most unique countries on the continent. The abolition of the slave trade in the 19th century and the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861 motivated many people of African descent in the United States, including freed...

Transitional Justice Processes

Kenya

After Kenya’s independence from Britain in 1963, Jomo Kenyatta became the first prime minister and later president of the country from 1963 until his death in 1978. Kenyatta’s administration was dominated by Kikuyus, his own ethnic group, who also dominated the military and public administration.

Transitional Justice Processes

Central African Republic

The Central African Republic (CAR) gained its independence from France in August 1960. Since then, the country has experienced many years of, arguably, Africa’s most complex, enduring and, perhaps, devastating conflict. The years of instability in the country have been characterised by coups, civil wars and interference by international actors.

Transitional Justice Processes

Tunisia

Political instability, revolutions and repression characterised Tunisia’s fight for independence from Britain until 1956. Tunisia inherited a culture of impunity under its first Prime Minister and later first President Habib Bourguiba, whose main rival and pan-Arabist nationalist movement leader Ben Youssef was forced into exile and later assassinated in Germany. Bourguiba’s administration launched a campaign of...

Transitional Justice Processes

South Sudan

The Republic of South Sudan declared independence from the Republic of the Sudan in 2011. Prior to its independence, South Sudan fought two wars against the Khartoum government in Sudan from 1955 to 1972 and from 1983 to 2005, which resulted in the deaths of at least 1.5 million and the displacement of over four...

Transitional Justice Processes

Côte d’Ivoire

For a long time after its independence from France in August 1960, the West African country of Côte d’Ivoire enjoyed relative political and economic stability. Félix Houphouët-Boigny became the country’s first prime minister and, when his party won all the parliamentary seats, he became president. Houphouët-Boigny would go on to win the presidential election for a record...

Transitional Justice Processes

Nigeria

Nigeria has experienced numerous political crises and instability, including the forceful overthrow of elected governments, attempts at secessionism and revolution, regional unrest and militancy, ethnoreligious violence, election-related violence, terrorism and, recently, banditry and herders/farmers’ crises in some parts of the country. Each of these cases resulted in the loss of many lives and the amplification...