Youth and Children African Transitional Justice Hub

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.

Transitional Justice Processes

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...

Opinion

Navigating Turmoil: Military Coups in Africa and Their Intricate Dance with Transitional Justice

With the recent coups d’état across Africa, it is time to examine the complex interplay between coups and the delicate realm of transitional justice, writes Bobuin Jr Valery Gemandze Oben.

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.

Opinion

Prioritising Youth Inclusion and Economic Opportunities in African Transitional Justice

Transitional justice policy making and processes in Africa need to address the economic consequences of conflict and violence, particularly for youth, in order to prevent their recurrence, writes Steven Rebello.

Transitional Justice Processes

Sierra Leone

In March 1991, a growing rebel force in neighboring Liberia known as the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) invaded Sierra Leone, commencing one of the most violent civil wars in modern history. With the support of Liberian President Charles Taylor, RUF Commander Foday Sankoh recruited Sierra Leonean youths struggling with unemployment and lack of access to...

Opinion

Strengthening the Nexus between Transitional Justice and Education in Africa

Measures like public education committees and youth and children’s units within truth commissions, casting witnesses as national educators, rethinking truth commission names, and country studies centres can better integrate education into transitional justice, writes Baba G. Jallow.

Transitional Justice Processes

Uganda

Since achieving its independence from Britain on 9 October 1962, Uganda has had a tempestuous political history marked by civil wars, dictatorship, electoral authoritarianism, ethnic tension and military incursion. Arguably, it was the British colonial administration that provided fertile ground for political instability in Uganda through its divide and rule policy, a weak state apparatus...