ARUSHA, Tanzania, February 11, 2025 – The East African Court of Justice (EACJ) is preparing to host its 3rd Annual Judicial Conference in Kigali, Rwanda, from February 18-19, 2025, at the Marriott Hotel, amidst rising tensions between several East African nations. The court’s rotational session will follow, taking place from February 24 to March 7, 2025, at the High Court in Nyamirambo.
The judicial conference, themed “Justice, Ethics, and Enforcement of Decisions: A Judicial Pathway for Regional Development,” is set to be officiated by Rwanda’s President, H.E. Paul Kagame. The event comes at a time when relations between Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Burundi have sharply deteriorated, raising questions about the impact of these tensions on regional cooperation.
Over recent months, the DRC has accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel group, which seized control of Goma, a strategic town in North Kivu. The offensive, which lasted less than two weeks, claimed the lives of more than 700 people. These accusations have only fueled the already fragile relationship between the two countries.
Meanwhile, Burundi has expressed grave concerns over Rwanda’s alleged support of the rebels groups like Red Tabara. In response to the growing tensions, Burundi has significantly increased its military presence in South Kivu, warning Rwanda that any attempt to extend M23’s control into South Kivu will be viewed as a direct threat to Burundian security. Burundi has also accused Rwanda of training Burundian refugees to fight against the government in Bujumbura, allegations that Rwanda has vehemently denied. In turn, Rwanda has accused Burundi of backing the FDLR (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda), a rebel group it holds responsible for atrocities committed during the 1994 genocide.
Despite these complex and highly charged political issues, the EACJ which is led by a Burundian Nestor Kayobera is pressing ahead with its conference, aiming to foster discussions on critical legal matters in the region. “The EACJ Judicial Conference serves as a crucial space for dialogue on justice and legal issues in the East African Community,” a statement reads from the court.
The keynote lecture, titled “The East African Court of Justice: An Enabler of Justice, Regional Integration, and Development,” will be delivered by Hon. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, Rwanda’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General. In addition to the keynote, a panel of Chief Justices, chaired by Uganda’s Chief Justice Hon. Alfonse Owiny Dollo, will explore the role of national and regional judiciaries in enhancing alternative dispute resolution practices.
The conference will also include discussions on key topics such as the ethical dilemmas in regional courts, the enforcement of EACJ decisions by domestic courts, and the implications of cross-border trade in the region. One of the panel discussions will focus on the role of AI in shaping socioeconomic inequalities, while another will address the thin line between human rights litigation and the court’s jurisdiction.
In addition to the conference, the rotational court session in Kigali will allow legal practitioners and the public to observe ongoing proceedings. The court will hear 21 significant cases, ranging from pre-trial conferences to appeals and references, further reinforcing its role in the development of regional law.
As tensions between Rwanda, Burundi, and the DRC continue to rise, the timing of the EACJ conference has led some to question whether the event can contribute to easing the current diplomatic strains.
The EACJ’s decision to hold its conference in Kigali signals a continued push for legal dialogue in the region, but it remains to be seen how the court’s role will be perceived in light of the escalating conflicts between these partner states.
