Rwanda: Funding, Compliance With Court Decisions Among Key Challenges - EACJ

What the report says

Officials and legal experts used the East African Court of Justice’s 25th anniversary celebrations to highlight two recurring challenges facing the regional court: adequate financing and the willingness of member states to carry out its rulings. The event took place on November 12 at the East African Community headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania, bringing together judicial and government representatives from the region.

EACJ President Nestor Kayobera said the court has helped clarify obligations under the East African Community treaty and promote legality, accountability and good governance. He also stressed that the court’s authority depends not only on the quality of its judgments, but on whether those decisions are implemented. Kayobera noted the need for stronger follow-up mechanisms and said the court still lacks a permanent seat, despite operating in Arusha for 25 years.

Rwanda’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, a former EACJ president, said the court’s caseload has grown substantially and argued for more sustainable funding for the wider Community and the court itself. He also raised concerns about staffing, judicial capacity and treaty provisions that limit how long after an alleged breach a case can be filed. Uganda’s Rebecca Kadaga, who leads EAC affairs in the Council of Ministers, said treaty changes may be needed to create national authorities that would help enforce EACJ decisions.

EAC Secretary General Stephen Mbundi added that the court should broaden its ability to address trade and investment disputes, and encouraged greater use of arbitration as regional commerce expands.