The Mauritian Truth and Justice Commission: Legitimacy, Political Negotiation and the Consequences of Slavery

Abstract

We examine the origins, processes and outcomes of the Mauritian Truth and Justice Commission's examination of slavery and its contemporary effects. It has not been considered a success by any commentator. We therefore ask how far James L. Gibson's application of legitimacy theory to ‘Truth Commissions’ has purchase in this context and whether it was cynically motivated. We use MTJC documentation, interviews and newspaper reports to show that Gibson's theory provides insight into MTJC outcomes while demonstrating that politico-economic power structures were crucial. Conversely, the MTJC does not sit easily in Van Zyl's ‘cynical operation’ category.