CSVR | CENTRE FOR THE STUDY OF VIOLENCE AND RECONCILIATION

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Truth Seeking and Sexual Violence
In Truth Seeking and Sexual Violence

Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Commission (2002-2004)

Jemma Blacklaw

From 1991 to 2002, a civil war raged between pro-government forces and rebel groups in Sierra Leone. Conflict-related sexual violence (CSVR) was pervasive during the war. Sierra Leonean women and girls were subjected to widespread and systematic sexual violence perpetrated by rebel groups and, to a lesser extent, pro-government and peacekeeping forces (HRW, 2003). From 1991 to 2002, a civil war raged between pro-government forces and rebel groups in Sierra Leone. Conflict-related sexual violence (CSVR) was pervasive during the war. Sierra Leonean women and girls were subjected to widespread and systematic sexual violence perpetrated by rebel groups and, to a lesser extent, pro-government and peacekeeping forces (HRW, 2003).

Transitional Justice Processes
In Transitional Justice Processes

Tunisia

Usani Odum

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 persecution against Youssef’s supporters, killing at least 900 within a few years of the country’s independence.

Truth Seeking and Sexual Violence
In Truth Seeking and Sexual Violence

Gambia Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (2017-2021)

Lesego Sekhu

The Gambian National Assembly passed the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Act on 13 December 2017 and the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) was established on 13 January 2018. The commission was mandated to investigate and establish an impartial historical record of the human rights violations committed from July 1994 to January 2017 under former President Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh, as well as consider reparations for victims of human rights abuses.

Transitional Justice Processes
In Transitional Justice Processes

South Sudan

Usani Odum, Atif Choudhury and Rachel Morley

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 million people. The second war ended with the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between the government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), with South Sudan eventually gaining independence through a referendum in which 98 percent of the population voted in favour of independence.

Truth Seeking and Sexual Violence
In Truth Seeking and Sexual Violence

Democratic Republic of the Congo Truth and Reconciliation Commission (2003-2007)

Mirjam Ellemers

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) experienced political instability, armed conflict and humanitarian crises from its independence from Belgian colonial rule in 1960 to its political transition in 2006. Political power struggles and coups d’état resulted in periods of conflict escalation known as the Congo Wars, occurring in 1996 and again in 1998 (Lwanzo Kasongo, 2021). Multiple factors contributed to this instability and conflict, including separatist movements, foreign interventions and exploitation of the DRC’s resources, leading to the involvement of various armed groups and neighbouring countries.

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Transitional Justice Processes
In Transitional Justice Processes

South Sudan

Usani Odum, Atif Choudhury and Rachel Morley

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 million people. The second war ended with the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between the government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), with South Sudan eventually gaining independence through a referendum in which 98 percent of the population voted in favour of independence.

Transitional Justice Processes
In Transitional Justice Processes

Côte d’Ivoire

Usani Odum and Nadia Abramson

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 seventh term in 1990, and would leave office only upon his death in December 1993.

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In Transitional Justice Processes

Burundi

Lesego Sekhu
Since its independence from Belgium in 1962, Burundi has struggled with ongoing interethnic conflicts and political instability. On 20 January 1959, King Mwami Mwambutsa IV of Burundi requested the country’s independence from Belgium and the dissolution of the Ruanda-Urundi union. The monarchy followed a Tutsi-aristocratic hierarchy of succession. Under the Belgian administration, it controlled the...
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A former Belgian colony, the Democratic Republic of the Congo gained its independence on 30 June 1960. Following its independence, the country was first named the Republic of the Congo-Léopoldville, differentiating it from the neighbouring territory of the Republic of the Congo-Brazzaville. With the passing of the Luluabourg Constitution on 1 August 1964, the country...
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