Southern Africa African Transitional Justice Hub

Peace Agreements between the Government of Mozambique and RENAMO

The Parties to the Joint Communique agreed to do everything possible to conduct a constructive search for a lasting peace for their country and their people. The Parties agreed to focus on what unites them in order to engage in a dialogue in which they discuss their different points of view. The Parties agreed to...

Peace Agreements

Peace Agreements in Lesotho

The October 1998 Agreement held that the opposing parties must work together in search for peace and solutions to the wide political problems in Lesotho. This included the establishment of a political structure, the Interim Political Authority (IPA), which was to facilitate this process by preparing in co-operation with the Government the country for fresh...

Peace Agreements

Peace Declaration Around Elections in Malawi

The Parties to the Declaration confirmed the need to take a stand against electoral violence, impunity and injustice as such acts are detrimental to the peace, welfare and sustained development of Malawi. The Parties agreed that ahead of and following the tripartite elections on 20 May 2014, they would forcefully speak out against violence and...

Peace Agreements

Political Events between 2002 and 2009 in Madagascar

In Accord 1 the Parties agreed to declare null and void with immediate effect all administrative sanctions and all judicial sentences pronounced in connection with the events of 2002, and to put in place the necessary measures, including for civil reparations and reconstitution of careers. In the Political Accord, the Parties agreed that the transition...

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...

Transitional Justice Processes

South Africa

South Africa’s history has long been marred by racism and discrimination. In 1652, the Dutch East India Company established a settlement in the Cape. Once there, the settlers brutalized and dispossessed the indigenous San and Khoikhoi populations, forcing them into indentured servitude. Control over the Cape passed to the British in 1806. European domination was...

Truth Seeking and Sexual Violence

South Africa Truth and Reconciliation Commission (1996-2002)

Following a political stalemate in the 1980s and 1990s, which had seen growing unrest and ungovernability in South Africa, the National Party government, the African National Congress (ANC), the Inkatha Freedom Party and other political groups entered into negotiations to end apartheid and establish a democracy.

Regional Economic Communities Frameworks

Southern African Development Community

According to its founding treaty, the objectives of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) include promoting sustainable and equitable economic growth and socioeconomic development that will ensure poverty alleviation with the ultimate objective of its eradication, enhancing the standard and quality of life of the people of Southern Africa and supporting the socially disadvantaged through...

Truth Commissions

Zambia

The Tunisian Truth and Dignity Commission (Instance Vérité et Dignité) (2013-2019) was mandated to investigate human rights violations committed from 1955 to 2013. The mandate specifically tasked the commission with investigating human rights violations that targeted women, children, the elderly, those with special needs and other vulnerable groups.