Arusha, 26 September 2025: The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (AfCHPR) and the East African Law Society (EALS) have pledged to deepen their collaboration to advance access to justice and strengthen the protection of human and peoples’ rights across the continent.
The commitment was made on Friday during a courtesy visit by the EALS led by its President Mr. Ramadhan Abubakar and his 11-member delegation to the Court, where they were received by the President of the Court, Hon. Justice Modibo Sacko, the Vice President, Hon. Justice Chafika Bensaoula, the Deputy Registrar Ms Grace Wakio Kakai and other senior officials. The EALS delegation comprised the leadership of Bar Associations from nine jurisdictions in East Africa.
In wide-ranging discussions, both sides explored concrete avenues of engagement, including awareness-raising initiatives, legal aid and pro-bono support, training and advocacy.
In his remarks, Hon. Justice Sacko welcomed the EALS visit, noting that the expertise of its members is vital in advancing the Court’s mandate. He emphasized that such professional engagement is important as the Court’s jurisprudence has touched on all spheres of life and must be respected, stressing that the institution exists because of the litigants who turn to it for justice.
“The Court exists because there are litigants. Should we wait until one day when there are no violations? Let us work together, drawing on your expertise as lawyers and advocates, to protect human and peoples’ rights. Given that the African Union depends on the contributions of our States, taxes paid by all Africans, everybody has a responsibility to make the dream of the African Court the dream of every African. On behalf of the Judges and the entire Court, I make this request: help us to help Africans,” he said.
He further called on the Society to play an active role in mobilizing its members to join the Court’s roster of counsel under its Legal Aid scheme and to act as ambassadors in their countries by encouraging Member States to ratify the Protocol establishing the Court and maintain or deposit the Declaration under Article 34(6) of the Protocol, allowing individuals and NGOs direct access to the Court. By doing so, the EALS will be providing its representation and expertise to African citizens who need it.
Turning to the Court’s 20th Anniversary to be marked throughout next year, Honourable Justice Sacko described it as a milestone that should inspire greater recognition of the Court’s achievements and collective support for its mandate. He urged the EALS to support the Court in this commemoration and to develop initiatives.
In response, EALS President Mr. Abubakar assured the Court of the Society’s commitment to a sustained partnership, stressing that the visit is not symbolic but the beginning of a structured, long-term collaboration through which EALS will strengthen outreach, enrich the Court’s jurisprudence and support its role in protecting human and peoples’ rights.
“As EALS we want to be part of this Court, part of its jurisprudence and participate for the service of our society. Count on us to support the Court, not just through a one-off engagement, but through continuous collaboration that strengthens its functions and impact,” he said.
Mr. Ramadhan pledged to mobilize EALS’s 42,000 members and proposed a joint think-tank with the Court to address challenges such as state withdrawals and to develop practical strategies that safeguard its accessibility as a continental guardian of human and peoples’ rights.
The courtesy visit marks an important step in fostering stronger ties between the Court and legal practitioners across East Africa, as both sides expressed their commitment to continue the dialogue and identify concrete areas of joint work.
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
- The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (AfCHPR) is an organ of the African Union established by African Union Member States to ensure the protection of human and peoples’ rights in Africa.
- The Court complements and reinforces the functions of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. The Court is composed of eleven Judges, nationals of Member States of the African Union elected in their individual capacity. The Court meets four times a year in Ordinary Sessions and may hold Extra-Ordinary Sessions.
- The East African Law Society (EALS), the regional Bar Association of East Africa, brings together over 42,000 individual members from nine member states: Kenya, Tanzania (Tanganyika & Zanzibar), Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia.
- The Society works to promote good governance and the rule of law in the East African region and enjoys formal Observer Status with the East African Community] and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Further information on the Court can be obtained from www.african-court.org Telephone: +255 272 510 510
For further inquiries: Deputy Registrar, Ms Grace Wakio Kakai – Grace.Wakio@african-court.org
For media inquiries: Chipiliro Kansilanga Ngue – Senior Information & Communication Officer and Head of Communication Unit Chipiliro.Kansilanga@african-court.org
