The Implications of Autochthony-Based Victimization for Reparative Justice in Africa

Abstract

The concept of autochthony or ‘indigeneity’ has been employed in multiple contexts across Africa and refers to people with historical connections to particular territories. It can be manipulated by political elites who demonize perceived ‘allochthonous’ minorities or ‘outsiders’. Though autochthony-related violence is often considered to constitute or resemble genocide or ‘ethnic cleansing’, the contested nature of these concepts necessitates further consideration of the impact of such violence beyond the genocide lens. This essay explores the potential implications of such hostilities and violence for ‘restorative’ or ‘reparative’ justice. It focuses on the examples of the protracted violence in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Central African Republic (CAR), where both peace and justice seem elusive for many communities, and the missed opportunities to foster reparative justice for victims of the last major conflict in Côte d’Ivoire (2010–11). In focusing on victims of autochthony-related violence, this essay considers the potential specific, multilayered, and intersecting needs of such victims and the challenges they may face within the context of any broader, comprehensive processes of reparative justice. Given the challenges that this essay highlights, it concludes by recommending that scholars further consider a conceptualization of reparative justice encompassing the multilayered experiences of autochthony-based victimization.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Thomas Shacklock

Thomas Shacklock specializes in minority rights, peacebuilding, and conflict analysis. As Director of Research for Crane Center for Mass Atrocity Prevention, Thomas has focused on the experiences of ethnic minorities in contexts of complex and often environmentally-linked conflicts in sub-Saharan Africa. He has collaborated with Congolese researchers for projects on DR Congo, building on research and advocacy projects from his previous role at Genocide Watch. He has written about the impact of conflict on ethnic minorities in DR Congo for openDemocracy. He is also a contributing researcher at the Human Rights Research Center, where he focuses on the rights of nomadic communities and refugees. Thomas holds a Distinction in MSc International Relations from the University of Bristol and a First Class Honors in BA French Studies from the University of Birmingham, UK. E-mail: [email protected]

Marcus Steiner

Marcus Steiner specializes in public history, legislative advocacy, and archival and museum research. Currently pursuing a Juris Doctor at the University of Dayton, Marcus holds a Master of Arts in History from Arizona State University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Indiana State University. In his role as CEO of the Crane Center for Mass Atrocity Prevention, Marcus coauthored the RAND Corporation’s pioneering Holocaust and Mass Atrocity Prevention Open Educational Resource. As an Adjunct Instructor at SUNY Empire State University, he crafted and implemented cutting-edge courses in education technology. His contributions as a Nonprofit Consultant encompass research and executive consulting. He previously held the roles of Program Director at CANDLES Holocaust Museum and Education Center and Development Director at the Center for Genocide Research and Education.