From 3-6 March 2026, the Africa Judges and Jurists Forum (AJJF) proudly participated as a co-organiser and expert contributor together with the Southern and Eastern Africa Chief Justices Forum (SEACJF) in the high-level regional process that developed the Regional Principles and Guidelines on Judicial Financial Independence in Africa (Gaborone Principles and Guidelines). The initiative that started last year has brought together Chief Justices, judicial leaders, and technical experts to address one of the most important foundations of the rule of law: the ability of courts to function with adequate, predictable, and independent financial support.
Judicial independence is often discussed in terms of impartial decision-making, but true independence also requires institutional capacity. Courts cannot reduce case backlogs, expand access to justice, modernise systems, or protect constitutional rights if their budgets are uncertain, delayed, or externally controlled. The new Guidelines which will be launched later in 2026 recognise that judicial financial independence includes the ability of judiciaries to determine resource needs, access allocated funds in a timely manner, and manage those resources responsibly, free from improper interference while remaining accountable for public funds.
AJJF’s involvement reflects its growing continental leadership in strengthening justice institutions, judicial governance, and access to justice across Africa. By helping co-convene and shape this process, AJJF contributed to a practical African framework covering constitutional protection of judicial finances, judicial budgeting, infrastructure development, remuneration, training, accountability, post-conflict restoration, and regional peer learning.
This engagement is important not only for courts, but for citizens. Independent and properly resourced judiciaries are better able to uphold rights, enforce contracts, support investment confidence, resolve disputes fairly, and serve communities efficiently.
As African states pursue Agenda 2063, economic integration, and democratic resilience, AJJF remains committed to supporting judicial systems that are independent, effective, transparent, and responsive to the people they serve.