Peter Brett - Human Rights and the Judicialisation of African Politics

First published 2019

by Routledge

2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN

and by Routledge

711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017

2019 Peter Brett

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

Names: Brett, Peter, 1985 author.

Title: Human rights and the judicialisation of African politics / Peter Brett.

Other titles: Routledge studies on African politics and international relations.

Description: New York : Routledge, 2019. | Series: Routledge studies in African politics and international relations | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2018020020

Subjects: LCSH: Political questions and judicial powerAfrica. | Judicial processAfrica. | NamibiaPolitics and government21st century. | BotswanaPolitics and government21st century. | ZimbabwePolitics and government21st century.

Classification: LCC KQC608 .B74 2019 | DDC 347.605dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018020020

ISBN: 978-1-138-28923-9 (hbk)

ISBN: 978-1-315-26729-6 (ebk)

This book is based on work I began eight years ago more than enough time to accumulate numerous debts in any circumstances. Unfortunately, however, I have also been foolish enough to try and write a book that pleases both social scientists and regional specialists. This has made me especially obligated to those (Southern) Africanists who have forgiven my taste for theory. Larissa Frster and Dag Henrichsen were exceptionally helpful during my research on Namibia, whilst Reinhart Kssler generously made detailed comments on a draft of was received from Phillan Zamchiya, Donna Pankhurst and the seminar audience at the University of Bradfords John and Elnora Ferguson Centre for African Studies. Jennifer Hays and Sidsel Saugestad gave sound advice about studying the Botswanan case. Siri Gloppen went beyond the call of duty as a discussant at the European Conference on African Studies. Nat Rubner kindly agreed to share and discuss his important unpublished work. Perhaps, however, it is my interviewees who deserve the most gratitude. Almost all gave up hours of precious time to discuss these issues with (if not explain them to) a perfect stranger. Some even made comments on early draft chapters. Suffice to say that I cannot thank them enough.

Many others have provided friendship and support. David dAvray remains a mentor and an inspiration. Phil Clark helped me in numerous ways during my PhD and made me very welcome at SOAS. Julia Gallagher and David Harris continued to be friends and colleagues even after they took positions elsewhere. Over the last three years at Queen Mary Ive been shown too much kindness by too many people to single anyone out for thanks. The following, however, have provided not just companionship but also conversation on subjects relating to this book: Engin Isin, Sophie Harman, Clive Gabay, Kim Hutchings, James Eastwood, Nick Hostettler, Lee Jones, Ray Kiely and James Dunkerley. In other capacities Ive been lucky to know and work with Anselme Asseghna Somda, Sara Dezalay, Alexander Stroh, Jan Budniok, Alhassan Sulemana Anamzoya and Sanne Verheul. Research and writing with Line Engbo Gissel has been a real pleasure.

My most important intellectual debts, however, are to those who have read versions of the whole manuscript. Sharath Srinavasan and Stephen Hopgood were excellent examiners of its much earlier and more disorganised incarnation as a PhD. Calum Fisher made some excellent suggestions about how to improve the text. David Williams has done the same whilst also doing everything possible to make me feel like a valued colleague. It was his work with Tom Young that first inspired mine. Tom, meanwhile, has been a friend and supervisor who showed faith in this project from its inception. I owe him an enormous amount and will always be grateful.