Gender African Transitional Justice Hub

Democratic Republic of the Congo

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...

Truth Seeking and Sexual Violence

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

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...

Transitional Justice Processes

Gambia

In February 1965, The Gambia gained independence from colonial Britain, becoming a republic in April 1970. Dawda Jawara, head of the People’s Progressive Party, was the first prime minister and first elected president of independent Gambia. In July 1981, the government prevented a coup with the help of Senegalese forces. In 1982, Jawara and Senegalese...

Truth Seeking and Sexual Violence

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

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...

Transitional Justice Processes

Ghana

On 6 March 1957, Ghana gained independence from Britain, becoming the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to achieve independence from a European colonial power. Spearheading the African decolonial movement and Ghana’s colonial liberation, Francis Kwame Nkrumah, leader of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), served as the prime minister of independent Ghana from 1957 until 1960.

Truth Seeking and Sexual Violence

Ghana National Reconciliation Commission (2002-2004)

The National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) was created to promote national reconciliation among Ghanaians by establishing a record of past violations and making recommendations for redress of victims and institutional reforms (NRCA, 2002, p. 2). Established by the National Reconciliation Commission Act of 2002, the commission operated from 14 January 2003 to 14 October 2004 with...

Opinion

Integrating Gender-Inclusive Approaches in Transitional Justice Processes in Africa

Transitional justice in African countries must not only acknowledge but also actively engage with the gendered impacts of conflicts on all individuals, especially women and girls, writes Mary Izobo.

Truth Seeking and Sexual Violence

Kenya Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (2008-2013)

The Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) was established in the wake of the 2007-2008 post-election violence in Kenya, with the mandate to investigate gross violations of human rights and economic rights over the period of 1963 to 2008. The commission operated from 2008 to 2013, its investigations spanning the colonial era and the independence...

Transitional Justice Processes

Libya

On 21 November 1949, the United Nations General Assembly passed Resolution 289 V, calling for the unification and independence of Libya by 1 January 1952. The resolution comprised of a transitional period involving the United Nations Commissioner and the Council of Ten, including one representative from each province, one representative for Libyan minorities, and one...

Transitional Justice Processes

Mali

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...