An evaluation of Ivorian truth commission through restorative justice

Following the conflicts that took place in Côte d'Ivoire between 1990 and 2011, thequestion arises of how to build lasting peace in the country while providing justice forthe thousands of victims. As part of responses aimed at repairing the damage causedby the armed conflicts that devastated the country, the Ivorian government establisheda Truth Commission (CDVR) in 2011. Although the main objectives of a truthcommission are to uncover the truth and promote reconciliation, it is necessary tocritically question its establishment and operation. To address this concern, thisdoctoral thesis used restorative justice to evaluate the transitional justice mechanismthat is the Ivorian CDVR. The analysis of the design and activities of the CDVRtherefore provided a better understanding of its capacity to enable Côte d'Ivoire toovercome the trauma of conflicts and build a just future. To accomplish this task, thisdissertation utilised a qualitative case study research design. Through a literaturereview and semi-structured interviews, I collected critical data to design the evaluationcriteria and present evidence of the existence of peace and reconciliation relationshipsin the CDVR process. The study found that although the CDVR demonstrated manyrestorative justice values (solidarity) and principles (reparation), it failed to berestorative and conciliatory.Thus, the study argues that for transitional justice mechanisms to respond aseffectively as possible to the Ivorian crisis, initiatives implemented by the governmentshould include all stakeholders, civil society, and a safe and respectful environment.Since many conflicts that the country has experienced are due to the poor organisationof the political apparatus, it will be necessary to organise so that the victims of allpolitical parties are integrated. The study also argued that the lack of independencyand political neutrality, international influence, inadequate reparations, lack ofaccountability, the absence of national consultations and voluntary participation in thepeace process and the way in which human potential was not properly exploited in thereconciliation process in Côte d'Ivoire partly explain the limited impact of transitionaljustice mechanisms. Indeed, according to the study, there has never been mediationbetween the victims and the executioners. Also, victims were treated based on theirpolitical, religious, or ethnic affiliations. The failure of mediation and the exclusion ofCDVR are therefore supported by the results of the study.