EACJ stakeholders’ conference takes place in Nairobi, Kenya
The East African Court of Justice Stakeholders’ conference which took place at Intercontinental Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya was officiated by the Integration Secretary in the State Department of East African Affairs & Ag. Permanent Secretary, Mr Barrack Ndegwa representing the Minister of East African Community Affairs Kenya, Hon. Phyllis J. Kandie, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Labour, Social Security and East African Affairs.
Mr Ndegwa reading the Statement for the Minister said that, the integration process of the East African Community has progressed in terms of social, cultural and economic integration. “Currently as one block, we are looking forward to a future that encompasses other regional blocks through the EAC-COMESA-SADC Tripartite Agreement. With such progress unfolding, we need strong dispute resolution mechanism more than ever and hence look up to our National and Regional Courts”, the Minister stated.
Hon. Kandie also emphasised the Kenya’s commitment in supporting the East African Court of Justice and stated that “As Kenya, we are very litigious society, very much concerned with our rights and frequently approach the courts for adjudication of our matters, therefore we are keen to ratifying the Protocol on the extension of the Jurisdiction of the Court”.
The Minister noted that, she is aware that the Treaty establishing the East African Community in Article 33 clearly outlines the relationship between National Courts and the East African Court of Justice and hence, there is need to increase awareness on the working relations to work together.
The President of the Court, Hon. Justice Dr Ugirashebuja also thanked the Government of Kenya specifically the Ministry of the East African Community Affairs, the Raoul Wallenberg Institute and Staff of the EACJ for bringing the initiative to fruition. His Lordship added that the EAC Integration is of utmost importance to all the Partner States in the region, economically, politically, and socially. He said that through integration and the development of an internal market, economic growth is inevitably stimulated.
Justice Ugirashebuja further stated that, “as regional integration experience has shown, law plays an absolutely vital role in integration. He added that it is law that provides the legal backbone of Regional Integration. It is law that provides concrete rights and benefits of Regional Integration to business and individuals. It is the law that allows free and efficient movement within the internal market. And it is also within the legal framework that the political actors meet and interact. Because of the importance of law, Regional Integration requires good co-operation between all the Partner States in the rule of law chain; Judges, lawyers, civil servants, academics, business and individuals. We must contribute to make the EAC living legal reality”, the President of the Court said.
His Lordship also said that the EACJ plays a crucial role in resolving disputes which would threaten the survival of a community. He added that without dispute resolution mechanism, the survival of the Community is at stake. The President further said that without the case law, and the many rules and principles that the Court has developed and will continue to develop, the Community will not arrive at where it aims to be.
Justice Ugirashebuja concluded saying that the effectiveness of the Court will largely depend on its relationship with the stakeholders. Their role is very vital in the development of the EAC Laws, jurisprudence and uniform interpretation and application of the EAC law. He finally said that, it is only jointly that the partners in the rule of law chain can develop the potential of East African integration and reap the benefits it offers. The President reiterated his sincere gratitude to everyone who raised the occasion with his / her presence.
The representative of the Raoul Wallenberg Institute (RWI) of Human Rights, Head Office Kenya, Mr. Josh Ousted thanked the EACJ for the good co-operation and partnership and pledged continuous support to the Court in increasing visibility and capacity building of the Court to promote the Regional Integration agenda.
The workshop was attended by the Judges of the EACJ, Members of the Civil Society Organisations, the legal fraternity, private sector, academia and media. Also in attendance was Ambassador Anders Kruse, distinguished Speaker from Sweden, Hon. Justice Aaron Ringera and Hon. Justice Isaac Lenaola, judges of EACJ who are from the Republic of Kenya, Ms Geraldine Umugwaneza, the Ag. Registrar of the East African Court of Justice and Staff.
The Court earlier on Monday, 7th December 2015 also had an editorial meeting to discuss the modalities of publishing the EACJ Law Report before end of the year with the support from Raoul Wallenberg Institute. Later, it also held a planning meeting to look into the new activities, plans and projects the Court will co-operate with the RWI for further support. The Court continues with the seminar of the Judges of the Court to increase capacity building and how the European Union Court operates.