South Africa African Transitional Justice Hub

30 Years into South Africa’s Democracy, the Struggle for Justice for Apartheid-Era Crimes Continues

The South African government bodies tasked with investigating and prosecuting apartheid-era political crimes must face closer public scrutiny and take stronger action to fast-track long-overdue justice for victims’ families and survivors, writes Katarzyna Zdunczyk.

Peace Agreements

African National Congress/Inkatha Freedom Party Agreement

The Parties agreed to terms regarding the final cessation of violence and normalisation of the relationships between the two organisations, with the goal of establishing terms for a united, non-racial and democratic South Africa. Agreed upon terms included: an end to political violence, a commitment to political tolerance and freedom of political activity, encouraging the...

Peace Agreements

Agreement between the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Heads of State Supporting the Peace Process in the Great Lakes

The Parties to the Sirte Agreement affirmed the security and integrity of the political borders of all states and agreed to cease hostilities to pave the way for dialogue and peaceful resolution. The Parties further agreed to deployment of neutral African peacekeeping forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and reaffirmed the need to...

Peace Agreements

Agreement between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and ANC

The Parties to the Groote Schuur Minute expressed their commitment to stability and to a peaceful process of negotiations. The Parties agreed to the establishment of a working group to make recommendations on a definition of political offences in the South African situation, and to advise on norms and mechanisms for dealing with the release...

Peace Agreements

CODESA Declaration of Intent

The Parties committed to bring about an undivided South Africa with one nation sharing a common citizenship, patriotism and loyalty, pursuing, amidst the country’s diversity, freedom, equality and security for all. The Parties further committed to work to heal the divisions of the past, to secure the advancement of all and to establish a free...

Peace Agreements

Interim Constitution

The Interim Constitution set out provisions related to citizenship and state symbols, fundamental rights, the functioning of the Government, including Parliament, and the adoption of the new Constitution, the Executive, Judicial authority and administration of justice, Provincial and local government and traditional authorities. The Interim Constitution also provided for the institutions of the Public Protector,...

Peace Agreements

National Peace Accord

The Parties to the National Peace Accord agreed to address the worst effects of political violence at a local level and to achieve a measure of stability based on common effort, thereby facilitating a base for broader socio-economic development and reconstruction. The Parties agreed that in order to effectively eradicate intimidation and violence, mechanisms need...

Opinion

Positioning Human Rights at the Centre of the Energy Transition ahead of COP27

The just transition to a low-carbon Africa, which we need to address the climate crisis, must be rights-based and participatory to avoid exacerbating existing inequalities and driving conflict, writes Gugu Nonjinge.

Peace Agreements

Principles for a Peaceful Settlement in South-Western Africa

This agreement established the principles for a comprehensive settlement for peace in the south-western region of Africa. It was pursuant to Security Council Resolution 435 of 1978 on the independence of Namibia and the withdrawal of foreign troops from the territory of Namibia.

Truth Commissions

South Africa

The South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (1995-2002) was mandated to investigate gross human rights violations committed during apartheid from 1960 to 1994. According to its founding legislation, the commission’s objectives included establishing as complete a picture as possible of the causes, nature and extent of the violations; facilitating the granting of amnesty to persons...