EAC court suspends operations in June due to financing problems

The East African Court of Justice (EACJ) has suspended its work for June as it is affected by financial problems arising from delayed transfers from the partner states of the East African Community.

Like the Court, the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) – another regional body that also suffers from a lack of funding – has in the past tried to pressure countries that fail to meet their financial obligations to the bloc to be sanctioned.

In a statement on Monday 27 May, the Court said it “deeply regrets” to inform its esteemed stakeholders, particularly litigants and the public, that there will be no sitting of the First Instance Division in June.

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“Due to late referrals from the partner states, the Court was unable to hold the May 2024 session of the Appellate Division and the June 2024 session of the First Instance Division will not be convened as planned,” the statement said.

“This challenge seriously hampers the Court’s main function, which is to hear and decide promptly on the cases brought before it. As a result, the backlog of cases has increased significantly; there are currently over 200 cases awaiting a resolution before the ECJ,” it continues.

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The East African Court of Justice is a treaty-based judicial body of the East African Community whose mandate is to ensure compliance with the law in the interpretation and application of the East African Community Treaty of 1999.

It is based in Arusha, Tanzania, but has subdivisions in the respective national courts in the partner states.

It meets quarterly – the First Instance Division in March, June, September and November. The Appellate Division meets in February, May, August and November.

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“The Court urges all partner States to recognise the seriousness of the current situation and to ensure the timely transfer of funds to enable the smooth functioning of the Court and maintain the effective administration of justice,” the EACJ statement said.