EAC Court Marks 25 Years Amid Calls for Permanent Seat and Stronger Enforcement

What the report says

The East African Court of Justice’s 25th-anniversary celebrations in Arusha have revived discussion about the court’s funding, how well its rulings are enforced, and the lack of a permanent headquarters, according to Nile Post. The gathering brought together lawmakers, regional officials and senior judicial figures from across the East African Community, with Uganda’s First Deputy Prime Minister and East African Community Affairs Minister Rebecca Kadaga presiding in her role as chair of the EAC Council of Ministers.

The event drew more than 200 delegates and included officials such as Uganda’s Deputy Chief Justice, Moses Kawumi Kazibwe, and Malawi’s Chief Justice, Rizine Robert Mzikamanda. Participants used the milestone to point to operational problems facing the court, including limited resources and a backlog of cases. They also expressed concern that some partner states do not consistently implement EACJ decisions, which they said can weaken confidence in regional justice and integration.

Another major theme was the court’s continued use of temporary premises at the EAC Secretariat in Arusha. Under the EAC Treaty, the heads of state summit is responsible for deciding the court’s permanent location. The EACJ was established under the treaty framework and officially opened in 2001. Nile Post noted that the court has since developed case law covering governance, human rights, trade and the rule of law as the bloc expanded to eight member states and a population of more than 350 million.