An evaluation of Ivorian truth commission through restorative justice

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