Midrand, South Africa, 1st December 2015: The African Union Commission in collaboration with the Pan African Parliament, International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), and the German Cooperation (GIZ) are holding the first regional meeting with representatives of the Judiciary to strengthen the rule of law and Justice Reform in Southern Africa. The meeting is being held within the framework of the African Governance Architecture (AGA) as the overall political and institutional framework, aimed at appropriately addressing the challenges of governance in Africa.
Addressing the delegates, Dr. Aisha Laraba Abdullahi the African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs reaffirmed the growing need for national, regional, continental and international collaboration to make sustainable difference on the continent through strengthening rule of law and promoting justice reform in order to ensure political stability and socio-economic development. Commissioner Abdullahi further went on to stress the African Union Agenda 2063 aspiration 3 which articulates that the Africa we want in 2063 is one where good governance, democracy respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law are entrenched.
“This can only be archived if Africans have timely access to independent courts and judiciary that deliver justice without fear or favor”, said the Commissioner. Dr. Aisha Abdullahi also highlighted the recently approved establishment of a Legal Aid Fund by the STC on Justice and Legal affairs to mobilise and receive resources to finance the Legal Aid Scheme on the continent.
Mr. Mourad Mourhtari representative from the Pan African Parliament congratulated and thanked the African Union Commission for holding the regional consultation in conjunction with the PAP Secretariat. He thanked International IDEA and GIZ for the unending support towards promoting the Democractic Agenda of the continent. Mr. Mourhtari noted that co-organising the regional consultation is a great sign of continuous collaboration with the AU organs in general, and AUC and PAP in particular. The PAP representative highlighted the importance of the meeting which provides an opportunity for addressing challenges that the Judiciary in the Southern African Region face regarding to Rule of Law and Justice.

Ms Kgathatso S Serote the representative from the International Institute for Democracy and Election Assistance (IDEA) underlined the role of the meeting which is to discuss the challenges faced by the judiciary in Members states and regional blocks such as challenges to judicial independence and limited financial and human resources. Ms.Serote also reiterated the warm support of International IDEA towards promoting AU’s mandate of adherence to constitutional order and the principles of rule of law in Africa. “The Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG) which assesses the state of governance on the continent indicates that on issues of governance, the Southern African region is the best performing region which is a great starting point although it still has some countries who are ranked as having the fastest decline in governance ” noted Ms. Serote

Over the next three days the meeting will enable representatives of the SADC judiciary to discuss and provide their recommendations on how the African Governance Platform Cluster on Constitutionalism and Rule of Law can act as an interlocutor to support national and sub-regional judicial bodies to strengthen rule of law. BM

For more details please contact:
Mr. Calixte Aristide Mbari | Senior Political Officer at the Department of Political Affairs | African Union Commission | Tel: + 251 913361605| E-mail: mbaricalixte@hotmail.com / MbariC@africa-union.org
Ms Nokukhanya Ntuli, | Constitutionalism Expert at the Department of Political Affairs | African Union Commission, | Email: NtuliN@africa-union.org
Darsheenee Raumnauth | Constitutionalism and Rule of Law Analyst, Political Affairs | African Union Commission | Tel: + 251 929181583| E-mail: RaumnauthD@africa-union.org
Media contact:
Ms. Barbara Mugisha | Directorate of Information and Communication, | African Union Commission | Tel: +251 929180037, | Email : Barbaram@africa-union.org

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