Transitional justice in postconflict contexts: The case of Sierra Leone\u27s dual accountability mechanisms

Literature on in-depth studies of dual transitional justice mechanisms in postconflict settings is inadequate. This qualitative case study sought to understand the practice of dual transitional justice by examining the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and the Special Court engaged for transitional justice in postconflict Sierra Leone. Data consisted of documentary sources, observational field notes and 31 individual semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions of Sierra Leonean public officials, United Nations officials, and TRC and Special Court officials, as well as civil society actors. Data were analyzed through detailed description , categorical aggregation , direct interpretation , establishment of correspondence and patterns , and development of naturalistic generalizations . It was found that because the 2 institutions were not planned and coordinated as different parts of the same tool, they were pitched against each other, undermining their respective mandates and creating tensions in their efforts to implement their plans. Also, the Sierra Leonean populace, civil society organizations, the government and the international community, including the United Nations, were divided in their opinions, sentiments and support for the 2 mechanisms. The implication of this study is that the policy choice, design and packaging of restorative and retributive mechanisms for postconflict transitional justice should not create conflict so that they can link seamlessly to the strategic goal of peace and stability. The knowledge of the dynamics of dual transitional justice is useful for governments, policy makers, the United Nations and especially the International Criminal Court whose intervention in a country may run parallel to a restorative process

Dispute Resolution and Electoral Justice in Africa: The Way Forward

This article examines electoral adjudication in Africa’s democratisation process. The idea of aggrieved persons instituting an election petition in court as opposed to resorting to violence is a positive sign in Africa’s democratisation process. The aggrieved are choosing the law as their arbiter. This practice will facilitate the institutionalisation of succession and entrench the rule of law and constitutionalism. However, there have been misgivings about the outcome of judicial adjudication of some of these electoral disputes. Electoral disputes are not always resolved expeditiously and courts’ decisions on such matters are sometimes overtaken by events. There is also the perception of judicial bias in some cases. In the same way the large numbers of election petitions put a lot of strain on the judiciary, clogging up the courts. Voter education on realistic expectations of elections by citizens should be intensified so that an election ends with the ballot and only genuine cases go through adjudication.Keywords: election adjudication, election disputes in Africa, electoral justice, election petitions, electoral integrity, and alternate election dispute resolutionLe présent article examine l’arbitrage électoral dans le processus de  démocratisation en Afrique. L’idée que des personnes  lésées introduisent une pétition électorale devant un tribunal au lieu de recourir à la violence est un signe positif dans le  processus de démocratisation en Afrique. Les lésés choisissent la justice comme leur arbitre, une pratique qui facilitera  l’institutionnalisation de l’alternance et renforcera la primauté du droit et du constitutionalisme. Cependant, il y a eu des doutes  quant à l’issue de l’arbitrage judiciaire de ces différends électoraux. Les différends électoraux ne se règlent pas rapidement et les décisions des tribunaux sur ces questions sont parfois dépassées par les événements Il y a en outre la perception d’une partialité judiciaire. De la même manière, le grand nombre de pétitions électorales met beaucoup de pression sur le pouvoir judiciaire, engorgeant ainsi les tribunaux. L’éducation des électeurs sur les attentes réalistes des citoyens concernant les élections devrait être intensifiée afin que les scrutins se terminent sur le verdict des urnes et que seuls les cas dûment fondés passent par l’arbitrage.Mots-clés: arbitrage électoral, litiges électoraux en Afrique, justice électorale, pétitions électorales, intégrité électorale, et règlement alternatif de litiges  électorau