Gender African Transitional Justice Hub

Mauritius

The island nation of Mauritius has a history of colonialism and slavery, the tendrils of which are still present in modern Mauritian society. The uninhabited island was first claimed and unsuccessfully colonized by the Dutch between 1598 and 1710. The Dutch withdrew and France took control, until Mauritius was ceded to Britain under the Treaty...

Truth Seeking and Sexual Violence

Mauritius Truth and Justice Commission (2009-2011)

On 1 February 2009, the Mauritius Truth and Justice Commission (TJC) was established by then President Sir Anerood Jugnauth. Mandated to operate for two years, with the possibility of a six-month extension, the commission was tasked to conduct an inquiry into the legacy of slavery and indentured labour abuses and its impact on contemporary Mauritius....

Transitional Justice Processes

Morocco

Morocco is a racially and linguistically diverse country with a history of political upheaval rooted in early colonial occupation. Arabs and Imazighen (Berber) make up the largest percentage of the population, while other groups include descendants of Spanish refugees who fled the Reconquista and of Sub-Saharan African slaves. The country’s status as a French protectorate...

Truth Seeking and Sexual Violence

Morocco Equity and Reconciliation Commission (2004-2005)

In 1999, following the death of Moroccan President King Hassan II, his successor Mohammed VI created the Independent Arbitration Commission (IAC) as a mechanism for reparations to compensate victims/survivors of past political abuses, specific to arbitrary detention and forced disappearances. However, the IAC was largely criticised by victims/survivors and their relatives for not fully committing...

Transitional Justice Processes

Nigeria

On 1 October 1960, Nigeria gained independence from Britain, with Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa as the prime minister and the British monarch, Elizabeth II, as the constitutional head of state. On 1 October 1963, Nigeria became a republic, with Nnamdi Azikiwe as the first independent president. Since its independence, the country has struggled with...

Truth Seeking and Sexual Violence

Nigeria Human Rights Violations Investigation Commission (1999-2002)

The Nigerian Human Rights Violations Investigation Commission – later named the Judicial Commission for the Investigation of Human Rights Violations, and commonly known as the Oputa Panel after its head Chukwudifu Oputa – was inaugurated on 14 June 1999 by then President Olusegun Obasanjo and operated until 2001. The commission was mandated to investigate the...

Opinion

Operationalising Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Transitional Justice

Enabling redress for victims of conflict-related sexual violence as well as sexual and gender-based violence requires universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights, write Jemma Blacklaw, Lesego Sekhu and Sinqobile Makhatini.

Transitional Justice Processes

Rwanda

The antagonism between Hutu and Tutsi that led to the 1994 genocide has its roots in the colonial period. From seizing power in 1897, the German colonizers failed to acknowledge the particular meanings given to the categories of Hutu and Tutsi in precolonial society. In general, the term ‘Hutu’ was used to describe the followers...

Transitional Justice Processes

Seychelles

A former French and British colony, Seychellois society has been shaped by a history of slave labour and trade, resource exploitation, and racialised socioeconomic inequality. In 1756, the French administration occupied Seychelles. Following the end of the Napoleonic Wars, France was forced to give Seychelles to Britain as a condition of the Treaty of Paris...

Truth Seeking and Sexual Violence

Seychelles Truth, Reconciliation and National Unity Commission (2019-2022)

The Truth, Reconciliation and National Unity Commission (TRNUC) was established by the Truth, Reconciliation and National Unity Commission Act of 2018 under then President Danny Faure. The commission, which ran from 2018 to 2022, was mandated to investigate and create an accurate public record of human rights abuses related to the 1977 coup d’état and...