Law and the Public Sphere in Africa

A pioneering collection of essays that casts “an invigorating light on law, politics, public language and social practice in modern Africa” (Africa).

Jean Godefroy Bidima’s La Palabre examines the traditional African institution of palaver as a way to create dialogue and open exchange in an effort to resolve conflict and promote democracy. In the wake of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commissions and the gacaca courts in Rwanda, Bidima offers a compelling model of how to develop an African public space where dialogue can combat misunderstanding. This volume, which includes other essays on legal processes, cultural diversity, memory, and the internet in Africa, offers English-speaking readers the opportunity to become acquainted with a highly original and important postcolonial thinker.

“Bidima has done a very important work here which deserves the critical attention of philosophers, political theorists, legal scholars as well the general public.” —Journal of Modern African Studies

“Opens promising vistas for legal and political discourse. Its multidisciplinary orientation and the erudition of the author make for a text that has crossover appeal.” —Olúfémi Táíwò, Cornell University

“Presents a valuable philosophical argument that will most certainly be of interest to those working on the topics of postconflict justice, peacebuilding, and democratization in Africa.” —African Conflict and Peacebuilding Review