From 25-29 August 2023, ACCORD hosted a high-level delegation representing the government of the Republic of Chad. The delegation, which included senior government officials was led by Mrs Sandra Ildjima Badda Mallot, the General Secretary of the Ministry of National Reconciliation and Social Cohesion. The delegation travelled to South Africa to learn more about South Africa’s reconciliation process as well as the country’s efforts to enhance social cohesion.
The Government of Chad has mandated the Ministry to establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in Chad, this in addition to efforts towards fostering stronger social cohesion in the country.
ACCORD’s Founder and Executive Director, Mr Vasu Gounden, provided the delegation with an overview of ACCORD’s work, as well as South Africa’s transitional justice phase and social cohesion efforts. Following this introductory session, ACCORD’s Senior Political Advisor, Ambassador Welile Nhlapo, presented South Africa’s history and the events that led to the advent of democracy in the country. The delegation also met with former TRC commissioners, Dr. Fazel Randera and Ms. Yasmin Sooka, as well as representatives from the Foundation for Human Rights and Dr. Marjorie Jobson from the Khulumani Support Group.
The tour programme involved meetings with, the acting Chairperson of the Advocates for Social Cohesion, Ms Vinolia Mabele, and a delegation from the Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services, led by the Acting Deputy Director General responsible for Constitutional Affairs, Adv. Lloyd Lotz. The final engagement for the delegation was a courtesy call paid to the offices of the African Peer Review Mechanism in Midrand, Johannesburg. The Chadian delegation also toured Constitution Hill, the site of a former Apartheid-era prison, and the current location of South Africa’s Constitutional Court; as well as Alexandra Township.
This experience-sharing visit enabled the Chad delegation to increase their understanding and perspectives of the processes involved in the establishment of the TRC, its operational aspects, and its legacy. The delegation left South Africa with further insight into the country’s ongoing social cohesion efforts in the democratic era.
