Moroni, Comoros, February 28, 2019: The first Regional Training Workshop to Promote the Rule of Law in East Africa for 2019 kicked off today in Moroni.

During the opening ceremony Mr. Calixte Aristide Mbari, Head of the Division of Democracy, Governance, Human Rights and Elections of the Political Affairs Department in the African Union Commission (AUC) delivered opening remarks on behalf of H.E Amb. Minata Samate Cessouma, Commissioner for Political Affairs and extended thanks to the people and Government of the Union of the Comoros for hospitality and facilitation provided for the success of the regional training workshop to promote the rule of law. He explained that this workshop is the first in a series which aim at meeting the relevant stakeholders in each region of the continent. Highlighting the importance of the rule of law Mr. Mbari noted that “Capacity Building for institutions to enforce the rule of law at national levels has been given a focus in this training workshop to define strategies to promote Rule of Law in the administration of justice, as a guarantee of stability, peace and social cohesion”.

Mr. Mbari concluded by stated that AUC recognizes that national, regional, continental and international collaboration is necessary to make a difference and improve the standard of living of African populations. Strengthening and promoting the rule of law are key elements in ensuring political stability and socio-economic development.

In his welcoming remarks during the training workshop, Amb. Ahmed Mohamed Assoumani, Secretary General in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs formally welcomed all participants on behalf of the Government of the Union of the Comoros and expressed his delight that the workshop is taking place in Moroni. “Rule of Law is fundamental for good governance and disputes are settled in fair manner.” added Ambassador Assoumani. He said that the government of the Union of the Comoros is happy to express satisfaction and will spare no efforts to make the training workshop successful. Ambassador Assoumani wished that the meeting will come up with strong recommendations that contribute to the social cohesion and reconciliation in the region.

The regional training workshop, which will continue up to the 1st March 2019, aims to increase the capacity of rule of law stakeholders to enable access to justice and uphold rule of law within the national structures. The workshop also aims at familiarizing the rule of law stakeholders with the African Union law namely the African Charter on Democracy, Governance, Human Rights and Elections and the African charter on Human and Peoples’ rights. The workshop addresses wide range of topics related to the rule of law such as: African Union and the promotion of Rule of law; The Rule of Law in Comoros; Role of the Parliament in the promotion of the Rule of law; Role of Political Parties in the promotion and protection of the Rule of Law; Rule of Law and Justice Administration; Rule of Law as key to Peacebuilding; Rule of Law and Prison Management; Rule of Law for effective Service Delivery; and Citizens’ Engagement and the Rule of Law.

Participants will share and exchange regional, national and imperative case studies and experiences on the rule of law mechanisms and how the synergy can foster an improved system.

For more information, please contact:

Mr. Calixte Aristide Mbari| Head of Division, Democracy, Governance, Human Rights, and Elections at the Department of Political Affairs| Email: MbariC@africa-union.org, mbaricalixte@hotmail.com;

Ms. Darsheenee Singh Raumnauth | Technical Assistant at the Department of Political Affairs | Email: RaumnauthD@africa-union.org, darsheenee@gmail.com;

For interview requests please contact:

Mr. Gamal Ahmed A. Karrar| Senior Communication Officer| Directorate of Information and Communication| Email: gamalk@africa-union.org|

For further information contact

Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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