EACJ to Hold Sensitization Workshop on its Role in the EAC Integration

 

 

EACJ to Hold Sensitization Workshop on its Role in the EAC Integration

 

ARUSHA, Tanzania, October 27, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The East African Court of Justice will next week hold a workshop to sensitize East Africans on its role in the East African Community integration.

The workshop, to take place at the Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala, Uganda from Monday 31 October to Thursday 3 November, comes at a time when the regional court is about to mark 10 years since its inauguration on 30 November 2001.

Under the theme: The Role of the Court in the EAC Integration the workshop will feature various topics that will focus on among others, the role and place of the EACJ in the advancement of the EAC integration agenda and the EACJ future prospects.

Also up for examination will be the ten years of the Court’s operation as well as discussions on the relationship between the EACJ and National Courts. At the end of the workshop, participants are expected to draft recommendations and resolutions which will be tabled before the EAC policy makers.

The EACJ Strategic Plan 2010-2015 has identified sensitization of the Court’s stakeholders as critical to enhancing their appreciation of the regional court. The five-year Strategic Plan highlights four Strategic Issues that need to be addressed in order for the Court to discharge its mandate namely; the design of the Court under the Treaty in terms of its limited jurisdiction and the ad hoc nature of its operations; the visibility of the Court; its capacity; and finally the appreciation of the Court.

Participants will be drawn from the EACJ, EAC Secretariat and the East African Legislative Assembly, EAC Institutions, Partner States’ National Judiciaries, chambers of the Attorneys General, EAC Ministries, Bar Associations, civil society organizations and human rights commissions.

Additional information

The EACJ developed its Strategic Plan 2010–2015 to guide its operations within that period. The Strategic Plan, launched in July 2010, was developed at a time when EAC integration was intensifying, with the consolidation of the Customs Union and commencement of the Common Market.

These developments, with the potential to spur more economic financial, commercial, social and political transactions, will, however, inevitably also spawn disputes from time to time.

To confront the existing and looming challenges, the Court developed the Strategic Plan to act as the blueprint in efforts aimed at enhancing its capacity to deliver on its mandate, especially as a dispute resolution platform.

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. Established in November 2001, the Court’s major responsibility 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 High Courts of the Partner States serve as sub-registries.

 

SOURCE 

East African Community (EAC)