Gender African Transitional Justice Hub

Algeria

During Alegria’s war of independence against France (1954–1962), a number of revolutionary groups emerged, with the most prominent being the National Liberation Front (Front de Liberation Nationale, or FLN). As part of the agreement ending colonial occupation, the FLN banned political opposition, making Algeria a one-party state for 27 years.

Transitional Justice Processes

Burundi

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...

Truth Seeking and Sexual Violence

Burundi Truth and Reconciliation Commission (2014-present)

Interethnic conflicts were ongoing in Burundi from its independence from Belgium in 1962 until the signing of various peace agreements in 2008. This constant conflict was punctuated by sporadic but interconnected civil wars in 1965, 1972, 1988 and 1991, in addition to multiple coups (Ngaruko & Nkurunziza, 2005). The largest civil war, which lasted from...

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.

Truth Seeking and Sexual Violence

Central African Republic Truth, Justice, Reparation and Reconciliation Commission (2021-present)

Since 2012, the Central African Republic (CAR) has been embroiled in a civil war between the government and rebel groups, specifically the coalition of rebel militias known as the Séléka and Anti-balaka. This civil war has seen the targeting of civilians, with sexual violence used as a tactic of war and considered to be performed...

Transitional Justice Processes

Chad

A former French colony, Chad gained independence in August 1960. François Tombalbaye, leader of the Progressive Party (Parti Progressiste Tchadien, or PPT), became the first elected president of Chad. Shortly after, Tombalbaye dissolved all political parties, except the PPT, and by 1963 Chad was a one-party state. The PPT leadership, like the Chadian army, were...

Truth Seeking and Sexual Violence

Chad Commission of Inquiry into the Crimes and Misappropriations Committed by Ex-President Habré, His Accomplices and/or Accessories (1990-1992)

The Commission of Inquiry into the Crimes and Misappropriations Committed by Ex-President Habré, His Accomplices and/or Accessories (1990-1992) was established by President Idriss Déby Itno under Decree No. 014/P.CE/CJ to investigate former President Hissène Habré and his associates.

Truth Seeking and Sexual Violence

Commission of Inquiry into the Disappearances of People in Uganda since January 25, 1971 (1974-1975)

On 30 June 1974, President Idi Amin passed Presidential Legal Notice No. 2., the Commission of Inquiry Act (Charter, 1974), to establish the Commission of Inquiry into the Disappearances of People in Uganda since January 25, 1971. It was alleged that a number of Ugandan citizens had disappeared in Uganda after the military coup that...

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...

Truth Seeking and Sexual Violence

Côte d’Ivoire Dialogue, Truth and Reconciliation Commission (2011-2014)

The conflict in Côte d’Ivoire lasted from 2002 to 2011. During this period, the country essentially became divided in two: a largely Muslim north that supported one presidential candidate, Alassane Ouattara, and a largely Christian south in support of another, Laurent Gbagbo (Gumede, 2020). After over a decade of violence, with significant loss of life...