East African Court of Justice, Arusha, Tanzania 6th June, 2024: The EACJ President, Justice Nestor Kayobera, together with Principal Judge Justice Yohane Masara, welcomed a group of 40 students from Université Catholique La Sapientia de Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The students visited the Court to gain insights into its operations.
In his address, Hon. Nestor Kayobera welcomed the students and expressed his hope that the visit would inspire them to pursue careers as regional integration lawyers. He highlighted that DRC, as a new member of the Community, demonstrates a keen interest in EAC Integration and Community law through the students’ visit. This knowledge is crucial for academia, especially in the legal profession, to understand Integration issues.
Justice Kayobera emphasized that the Community’s people-centered and market-driven approach has strengthened the EAC Integration process, creating opportunities for legal practitioners to ensure that integration benefits all East Africans. He also discussed the Court’s growing jurisprudence, which facilitates access to justice for all East Africans, and commended the role of various stakeholders, including Partner States, Civil Society, Law Societies, and Institutions of Higher Education.
However, Justice Kayobera expressed concern over the financial challenges the Court is currently facing, which have affected its work. He hopes that Partner States will address the critical issue of the increasing backlog of cases before the EACJ.
Principal Judge Justice Masara encouraged the students to utilize the knowledge and experience gained for their future careers and to become good ambassadors of the Court.
Mr. Philippe Banzi, Research Assistant of the Catholic University of Goma and head of the student delegation, thanked the President of the Court for hosting the students and sharing insights on the Court’s role, jurisdiction, growing jurisprudence, and challenges. He noted that this provided the students with valuable first-hand information.
Mr. Charles Kakule, the Liaison Officer from the Ministry of East African Community DRC, expressed gratitude to the EACJ for allowing the students to learn from the Court. He promised to encourage other universities to visit and enable the people of DRC to familiarize themselves with the EAC.
The Court Administrator, Mr. Ferdinand Nakintije and other staff of the Court were also in attendance and Mr. Boniface Ogoti made a detailed presentation on the Court’s overview.
About the EACJ
The East African Court of Justice (EACJ or ‘the Court’), is one of the Organs of the East African Community established under Article 9 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community. The Court was established in November 2001, its key mandate is to ensure the adherence to law in the interpretation and application of and compliance with the EAC Treaty. Arusha is the temporary seat of the Court until the Summit determines its permanent seat. The Court’s sub-registries are located in the capitals of the following Partner States: Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and United Republic of Tanzania.
For more information please contact:
Christine Mutimura
Deputy Registrar,
East African Court of Justice.
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: 255-27-2162149
Email: cmwekesa@eachq.org