Transitional Justice in Africa

Grounding her analysis in the understandings and experiences of survivors of state violence in Zimbabwe, Murambadoro exemplifies the intense engagement with local and national histories, with specific languages and conceptual frameworks, and with marginalized communities that is needed if transitional justice is to have meaning. A crucial corrective to the dominant Transitional Justice industry and a brilliant contribution to what it might mean to decolonize transitional justice.

– Adam Branch, Director, Centre of African Studies, University of Cambridge, UK

A timely book on Transitional Justice grounded on experiences of communities on a subject previously under-researched. The book reveals the challenges of rebuilding relationships and transforming communities that have experienced violence from bottom-up using unorthodox yet deeply rooted cultural norms. An important Afro-centric analogy based on the Zimbabwean experience, and a must read for Transitional Justice scholars and practitioners to appreciate what communities with deep cultures value most.

– Webster Zambara, Senior Project Leader, Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR), Cape Town, South Africa

This book provides insight on the effect of political violence and transitional justice in Africa focusing on Zimbabwe and comparing it to Rwanda, Uganda and Mozambique. The case of Zimbabwe is unique since political violence observed in some areas has manifested as contestations for power between members of various political parties. These political contestations have infiltrated family/clan structures at the community level and destroyed the human and social relations of people. Also, the author examines an understanding of how communities in the most polarized and conflict-ridden areas in Africa are addressing their past. The project would appeal to graduate students, academics, researchers and practitioners as it will help them to understand African justice systems and the complex network of relationships shaping justice processes during transitions.

Ruth Murambadoro is a Senior Lecturer at Wits School of Governance at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.