Climate change must be understood not only as an environmental or humanitarian challenge, but also as a justice issue that raises fundamental questions about whose lives are protected, whose losses are recognised, and who participates in shaping recovery and resilience, writes Julius Ng’oma.
South Africa must revisit its approach to reparations, including by expanding access beyond the narrow confines of the TRC victim list, simplifying administrative processes, and investing in community-based programmes that address systemic inequality, writes Cathy-Ann Potgieter.
Environmental restorative justice and epistemic justice are key to integrating ideas of transitional justice and restorative practices to tackle environmental harms and climate change in Africa, writes Saniah Matengu.
On 22 September 1960, Mali, formerly French Sudan, declared independence from France with Modibo Keïta as its first president. Since then, the country has experienced ongoing political unrest and armed conflict. In November 1968, Lieutenant Moussa Traoré led a coup that overthrew Keïta, later establishing a military dictatorship under a single political party, the Democratic Union of the Malian People (UDPM).
Representatives from the Zintan and Zuwara signed a binding agreement in Zuwara to end hostilities and promote peaceful coexistence. The parties pledged to stop identity-based arrests, secure sovereign roads within their borders, and guarantee safe civilian movement. They agreed to end hostile media campaigns, hold their members accountable for violations, and share intelligence to prevent future incidents.
The Tebu and Zway tribes signed a reconciliation charter to end violent conflict in Kufra. Facilitated by tribal elders and local mediators, the agreement committed both parties to cease hostilities, enable displaced persons to return, and ensure the free movement of people and goods. The charter emphasised individual accountability for crimes, lifted tribal protection for offenders, and prohibited collective punishment or retaliation. It established joint mechanisms to address grievances, oversee implementation, and promote reparations for victims. While grounded in tribal and religious principles, the agreement laid a foundation for local peacebuilding but did not include formal truth-seeking, state-led justice, or reparations processes.
South Africa must revisit its approach to reparations, including by expanding access beyond the narrow confines of the TRC victim list, simplifying administrative processes, and investing in community-based programmes that address systemic inequality, writes Cathy-Ann Potgieter.
