East African Court of Justice, Arusha, Tanzania, 17th April 2024: The EACJ in collaboration with Ford Foundation/Center for Public Interest Litigation (CEPIL) organized a training for Judges and Lawyers in the Republic of South Sudan, on good governance and the rule of law in the East African Community (EAC). Following similar trainings held in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania, the training placed significant emphasis on providing participants with a thorough understanding of good governance and the Rule of Law within the East African Community (EAC).
The primary objective was to equip participants with comprehensive knowledge of the East African community (EAC) and the Court (EACJ), as well as essential skills necessary to apply these principles effectively in their legal practice within the EAC framework. The one – day training was held at the Pyramid Intercontinental Hotel in Juba.
The Deputy Chief Justice (DCJ) of South Sudan Hon Justice Dr John Gatwech Lul presided over the official launch of the training. In his remarks, he welcomed His Lordship Judge President of the EACJ, staff and the Trainers from CEPIL to South Sudan and expressed his hope that the training will play a significant role in empowering participants with the knowledge on the EAC, its Legal Framework as well as the EACJ’s role, its mandate and jurisprudence as well as provide a platform for critical discussions on litigating before the EACJ
In his welcoming remarks, the Judge President Hon. Justice Nestor Kayobera expressed gratitude to the Chief Justice, Hon Chan Reec and Hon Justice Reuben Madol Arol, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs/Attorney General of South Sudan for their tremendous support to the EACJ in ensuring full participation from the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice. His Lordship equally appreciated CEPIL for partnering with the Court to undertake the training and similar ones. appreciated the participants for honoring the invitation and
Justice Kayobera informed the participants on the role of the EACJ in the integration agenda, particularly as the Judicial of the Community. He said, the training is timely as the Court is seeing an increase in matters filed from the Republic of South, and this is an opportunity for the participants to appraise themselves in the jurisprudence and rules of procedures of the EACJ as well as share experience on litigating before the EACJ. He further stated, that the EAC is in the process of establishing the sub registry office in Juba and discussion on this are ongoing with the Judiciary of South Sudan. Finally, His Lordship appreciated the Republic of South Sudan for the warm reception and wished the participants an interactive and productive training.
In his remarks Dr Henry Onoria the Director of Programs, CEPIL He highlighted CEPIL’s core mandate of promoting public interest through the utilization of law as a tool. He highlighted CEPIL’s partnership with the EACJ and the Ford Foundation as part of their ongoing efforts to equip advocates with skills in good governance and the rule of law, as interpreted and understood by the EACJ. He also underscored the role of National Judiciaries in the integration agenda, highlighting their need to utilise existing provisions of the Treaty that allow for collaboration of the EACJ and National Judiciaries in the dispensation of Justice.
The Undersecretary Ministry of Justice Hon Gabriel Isaac Awow joined the Deputy Chief Justice to welcome the Judge President and the Trainers to Juba. He noted that the training was timely given the urgent need for Advocates South Sudan to have a proper understanding the process of instituting matters before EACJ’s Rules of Procedure for efficient appearance before the regional court. He raised his concerns on the lack of the need to exhaust local remedies before instituting a matter at EACJ and the delayed establishment of a sub registry office in South Sudan which would save the high costs of traveling to Arusha to handle cases before the Court. In concluding his remarks, Hon Awow commended EACJ, CEPIL and the Ford Foundation for organizing the Training in Juba.
Topics discussed during the one-day training included:
- Overview of the EAC as a Regional Community: Relevance of Community Law for South Sudan.
- The EACJ as Regional Court: Structure, Jurisdiction and Role in Settlement of Disputes in the Community.
- Good Governance and Rule of Law: Overview of EACJ Jurisprudence and Implications for South Sudan.
- EACJ and National Courts: Preliminary Rulings Jurisdiction.
- EACJ and Preliminary Rulings: Exploring Opportunities for National Courts.
In attendance were Justices of the Court of Appeal, Judges of the High Court and Advocates from the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of South Sudan.
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