Transition and Justice

Reviews / Votes

'Transition and Justice offers a useful and timelyresource on the diversity of transitional justice in Africa, nowthe central regional focus of eclectic transitional justiceinitiatives. More than that, the book's strength lies in itsinterdisciplinary approach to the field more generally. Thecollection brings a fresh and welcome approach to the field. Itidentifies three dialectics: 'new beginnings / past', 'loftyambition / messy reality', and 'exceptional / ordinary' providing avaluable framing of current difficulties with both the theory andpractice of transitional justice. It is an excellent bookwhose appeal goes well beyond those interested in Africa. Istrongly recommend it to anyone interested in questions ofjustice and peacebuilding in and beyond Africa, whatevertheir discipline.' -- Christine Bell, Professor of ConstitutionalLaw, University of Edinburgh, UK, author of On the Law ofPeace: Peace Agreements and Lex Pacificatoria 'This superb collection of essays on transitional justicein Africa subjects the conventional language of new beginningsafter a period of violence in Africa to rigorous scrutiny. Thecontributions to Transition and Justice: Negotiating the Termsof New Beginnings in Africa demonstrate the value offine-grained empirical and ethnographic studies of internationaljustice and aid mechanisms, documenting the continuities with theviolent past, and highlighting the discrepancy between the elevatedideals of international humanitarian institutions and the actualjustice practices on the ground. The volume is requiredreading for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the complexinteractions between an international transitional justice agendaand local culture and conceptions of justice.' -- Richard Ashby Wilson, Professor of Anthropology andLaw, University of Connecticut, USA, author of WritingHistory in International Criminal Trials