National Reconciliation after Conflict : Evidence from Post-Conflict Côte d’Ivoire Using the Holistic Approach

It is believed that post-conflict states should implement various transitional justice mechanisms to achieve reconciliation. However, the specific combination and how mechanisms interact with each other for national reconciliation remains unclear. To fill this gap, this study empirically investigates the effectiveness of the holistic approach in post-conflict states. With Côte d’Ivoire as a case study, the research used a mixed research method with data collected from survey questionnaires, and interviews were later used for an in-depth explanation of the quantitative results. The results show that national trials and amnesty each positively affect national reconciliation. However, this positive effect increases when the national trial is combined with the International Criminal Court trial, a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and reparations. The study concludes that the holistic approach is the most effective for achieving national reconciliation in post-conflict states if the mechanisms implemented reinforce each other in their implementation or their effects.