EACJ Conference: Secretary general Veronica Nduva calls for justice, ethics, and transparency

Speaking at the EACJ Conference in Rwanda, Nduva underscored the need for effective enforcement of court decisions to strengthen regional integration and ensure that justice remains accessible to all East Africans.

Nduva linked the discussions to the recent African Union (AU) summit theme; Justice for the African People, noting its alignment with the EACJ’s theme Justice Ethics and Enforcement of Decisions-a judicial pathway for regional development.

With the EAC now comprising eight partner states Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and, most recently, Somalia—Nduva emphasized the importance of reviewing the treaty to accommodate the region’s evolving legal and economic landscape.  

“As our community expands, we need to revisit the treaty to ensure it remains relevant and responsive to the needs of all member states. A stronger legal framework will enhance cooperation and ensure that justice serves as a foundation for regional integration,” she remarked.  

She further stressed that laws and protocols adopted at the EAC level should not remain confined to policy discussions but must incorporate input from all partner states and their citizens to ensure effective implementation.  

“Legal frameworks do not stop at the doors of the Council of Ministers. Partner states must actively participate in shaping these laws to reflect the interests of all East Africans,” she added.  

Nduva highlighted the need to raise public awareness about the EACJ’s role, emphasizing that the court’s work should be people-centered.  

“We serve the people of East Africa; therefore, they must be at the center of what we do. We should make the people aware of this court and its functions,” she stated.  

To improve efficiency and accessibility, the EACJ has intensified efforts to reduce case backlogs, including establishing national registries to facilitate case filing and streamline legal processes across the region.  

According to Nduva, having national registries ensures that the court brings justice closer to the people. 

“It allows us to work more effectively and expedites case handling, making the court more accessible to ordinary East Africans,” she said.  

The EACJ Conference brought together legal experts, policymakers, government representatives, and civil society leaders to discuss ways to strengthen the court’s capacity and enhance its impact on regional governance.

Participants  are also expected to explore measures to ensure that court rulings are enforced uniformly across member states and that judicial independence remains protected.  

Nduva urged all stakeholders to remain committed to strengthening legal institutions for the benefit of the region’s 300 million citizens.