Today the SEACJF Annual Conference started in Gaborone co-organised by the SEACJF, and the AJJF and supported by partners the ICJ Kenya, the AEJN, Yiaga Africa, the Africa Chief Justice ADR Forum and Synergy International Systems. The AJJF team led by Secretary General Mr Martin Masiga includes Retired Chief Justice David Maraga (Kenya), Retired Chief Justice Andrew Nyirenda, Justices Charles Mkandawire (Malawi), Thomas Masuku (Eswatini/Namibia), Lady Justice Lilian Tibatemwa (Uganda), Lady Justice Shale (Lesotho), Dr. Justice Mavedzenge, Arnold Tsunga, Selina Jacobs and Christine Wainana (the Norec Fellows).
The theme of the conference is “Judicial Independence and Accountability in Safeguarding the Rule of Law”. In co-organising and supporting this annual conference of Chief Justices and judicial leaders from Eastern and Southern Africa, the AJJF has reaffirmed the view that without independence and accountability, a judiciary is not a judiciary, but a tool at the hands of oppressive systems. Judicial independence and accountability is both an aspiration of African people to achieve the Africa we want, but a means through which access to justice can be guaranteed for all including the poor and must most marginalized.
In representing the AJJF during the opening session, Retired Chief Justice David Maraga said that “AJJF is very proud to be part of the co-organising of this important conference where our jurisdictions re-affirm their commitment to building independent, impartial and accountable judiciaries as a way of safeguarding the rule of law in Africa.”
Chief Justice David Maraga also explained to the conference the organ of the AJJF called the Judicial Elders Council (JEC) saying “The JEC is constituted by retired Chief Justices who before retirement, will have had distinguished careers in establishing strong, independent, impartial and accountable judiciaries and protecting human rights in their respective jurisdictions.”
The JEC members get invited to this prestigious organ of the AJJF on account of having discharged their judicial leadership mandate with distinction and acknowledged as such by their peers who elect members of JEC.
Currently the JEC is composed of Retired Chief Justice Willy Mutunga (Kenya), who is also the AJJF President, Retired Chief Justice Othman Chande (Tanzania), Retired Chief Justice Earnest Sakala (Zambia), Retired Chief Justice Nyirenda (Malawi) and Retired Chief Justice David Maraga (Kenya).
All current JEC members have been previously members of the Southern and Eastern Africa Chief Justices Forum and are very happy to continue associating with this important forum.
Chief Justice Maraga ended by reaffirming that the JEC is at the disposal of any judiciary in Africa to offer technical support for the strengthening of the judiciary and improving of access to justice on our continent.
“The JEC is also at the disposal of the African Union or any Government in Africa to offer technical support exploring the intersection of the rule of law and development on our beloved continent.” Added Ret Chief Justice Maraga.
During the opening session the Guest of Honour, Duma Gideon Boko, President of Botswana warned that no institution of government including the judiciary in Africa is immune from being captured by various interest groups and powerful people. This calls for the people of Africa to be alert in defending the independence and accountability of institutions of governance including judicial independence.
The AJJF ended during the opening session by reinforcing the importance of an independent, impartial and accountable judiciary by adherence to a number of human rights standards such as the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights; Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Fair Trial and Legal Assistance in Africa; the African Charter of Democracy, Elections and Governance, the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights among others. Through this way, the rule of law can be a powerful driver of Africa’s development.
