East African Court of Justice considers building own House of Justice in Arusha

The East African Court of Justice is marking 25 years of operation, having handled over 1032 cases from East African Community member states since its inauguration in November 2001. The regional institution, currently housed within the East African Community headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania, is now considering building its own dedicated House of Justice. This move is aimed at addressing one of the challenges facing the court, according to its President, Judge Nestor Kayobera.

The East African Court of Justice was established under Article 9 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community, with the primary responsibility of ensuring adherence to law in the interpretation and application of the Treaty. Over the years, the court has developed its institutional capacity and jurisprudence, contributing to the upholding of the rule of law and good governance in the region. The court's 25th anniversary celebrations, themed "25 Years of the East African Court of Justice: From Foundation to Future," brought together various stakeholders to reflect on its journey and shape its future.

During the celebrations, East African Community Secretary General, Ambassador Steven Mbundi, highlighted the court's role in strengthening regional integration and promoting the rule of law. He noted that the court has played a crucial role in interpreting and applying the Treaty, building a body of jurisprudence in the process. The court's work has provided citizens, businesses, and partner states with a forum to seek justice under the Treaty.

The Solicitor General, Dr. Abdallah Saleh Possi, suggested that the East African Court of Justice should take on commercial arbitration for dispute resolutions among companies in the region to encourage foreign direct investments in East Africa. This proposal aims to enhance the court's role in promoting economic growth and development in the region.

Arumeru District Commissioner, Neema Lugangira, representing the Arusha Regional Commissioner, proposed that the court adopt digitalization to enable East Africans to file cases from anywhere. With over 350 million people in the region, digitalization could increase access to justice and improve the court's efficiency.

The East African Community secretariat has also acquired a new plot of land to build a larger headquarters, as the current offices were initially designed for the inaugural three member states: Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. The community now has eight member countries, and the existing building is no longer sufficient to accommodate its activities.

The East African Court of Justice's consideration of building its own House of Justice in Arusha marks a significant development in its 25-year history. The court's growth and increasing caseload have necessitated a dedicated premises to ensure its continued effectiveness in promoting the rule of law and regional integration.

Key points

• The East African Court of Justice has handled over 1032 cases since its inauguration in 2001.
• The court is considering building its own dedicated House of Justice in Arusha.
• The court's 25th anniversary celebrations brought together stakeholders to reflect on its journey and shape its future.