Tanzania Chief Justice pushes adequate funding of national judiciaries

BY FAUSTINE KAPAMA 

Judiciary Arusha 

THE Chief Justice of Tanzania, His Lordship Prof. Ibrahim Hamis Juma has urged governments to provide sufficient funds to national judiciaries to enable them perform core judicial functions assigned by constitutions of their respective jurisdictions.

The Chief Justice of Tanzania, His Lordship Prof. Ibrahim Hamis Juma (above and below) speaking during official opening of the 21st East African Magistrates and Judges Association (EAMJA) Conference and Annual Meeting in Arusha today dated December 3, 2024.

He was speaking today dated December 3, 2024 at the opening ceremony of the 21st East African Magistrates and Judges Association (EAMJA) Conference and Annual Meeting, which was officiated by Prime Minister, Hon. Kassim Majaliwa Majaliwa on behalf of the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Her Excellence, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan at Gran Melia Hotel in Arusha City.

“Our national judiciaries require sufficient funds to perform core judicial functions assigned by our constitutions. The EAMJA and our national Magistrates' and Judges' Associations should continue to underscore to our national governments that sufficient funding of National judiciaries is essential in a democratic and peaceful environment that allows people to engage in political, social, cultural, economic and technological activities,” he said.

His Lordship Prof. Juma explained that as conference theme of Strengthening Justice Delivery System for Regional Integration and Economic Growth” reminds them, when judiciaries enhance the delivery of the justice system, and national jurisdictions dedicate sufficient resources to strengthen justice and judicial institutions, processes and mechanisms, the justice system will contribute to national economic growth and the East African regional integration.

“This theme underlies our collective belief that national legal and justice sectors are essential to gradually establishing a Customs Union, a Common Market, a Monetary Union, and ultimately, a political federation. East African Leaders’ efforts to strengthen economic cooperation must go alongside facilitating effective, efficient, fair national judiciaries,” he said.

The Chief Justice also pointed out that the main aim of national Judges’ and Magistrates’ Associations is to safeguard the independence of the judiciary, which is essential to sustain the rule of law and human rights. According to him, in order to perform effectively, national associations need steady and secure funding and that national judiciaries should ensure funding flows to the associations.

Looking at the many advantages these annual conferences offer, His Lordship Prof. Juma also urged national associations of judges and magistrates to look for funds to support the participation of especially magistrates serving in some of the region's most remote and hard-to-reach areas.

The President of the East African Magistrates and Judges Association, Hon. John Eudes Keitirima speaking during the session.

A section of Justices of the Court of Appeal of Tanzania (above and below) following the proceedings during the opening ceremony of the East African Magistrates and Judges Association Conference.

“These magistrates from far-off areas need advantages that EAMJA Conferences offer yearly. If I may list, some of the benefits include broadening our knowledge to areas most of us barely touch in our day-to-day court schedules. We learn about the latest reform innovations, good practices, and new insights that improve our ability to dispense and deliver justice,” he said.

The Chief Justice also pointed out that EAMJA Conferences offer opportunities to meet, hear and learn from experts in various fields of justice who help in refine judicial thoughts and approaches and underscore the importance of judges and magistrates from across East African Region, getting together and conversing with fellow judges and magistrates sharing experiences and challenges.

“Our annual conferences and meetings invariably give us plenty of opportunities to learn and exchange. Each one of our jurisdictions has embarked on various aspects of judicial reforms. We have experiences to share on reforms in our respective criminal justice systems and how we have embraced the rapidly changing technology to ensure citizens access justice efficiently and promptly without delays,” he said.

A section of delegates from different East African Region (above and below) listen to the Chief Justice of Tanzania, His Lordship Prof. Ibrahim Hamis Juma when speaking during the opening session.

His Lordship Prof. Juma welcomed the delegates from Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan to Tanzania and Arusha, in particular, and urged them to take a closer look at Tanzania's experience with Judiciary-Led Reforms, specifically how the Government of Tanzania has taken a positive move to fully fund the ongoing judicial reforms by integrating judicial reforms as components of the national five-year development plans.

“The judiciary of Tanzania will be particularly pleased to showcase how, with full financial support from the government of Tanzania, it has implemented two five-year strategic plans, as well as the Citizen- Centric Judicial Modernisation and Justice Service Delivery Project,” he said.

On his part, the President of the EAMJA, Hon. John Eudes Keitirima, told the Prime Minister that the East African Magistrates and Judges Association is the biggest Judicial forum that brings together all ranks of judicial officers within the region who deliberate exhaustively on issues that affect them.

He explained that EAMJA plays a pivotal role in unifying and empowering Judicial officers across the East African Region and has been organizing conferences that offer a unique opportunity for judicial officers across the East African Community to come together and delve in a wide crucial and contemporary topic.

“This collective effort not only broader our horizons but also provides invaluable insights into the regional and global dynamics that influence our work. This continuous engagement is a priceless aspect of being part of EAMJA as it allows us to stay well informed, adopt to changes and anticipate and prepare for future challenges,” the President said.

Another section of the delegates (above and two pictures below) following what was happening during the opening ceremony.

During the conference, various topics will be discussed, including Enhancing Judicial Foundation: Courts as Cornerstone of Criminal Justice Chain, Civil Justice Reforms: Re-engineering the Business Process to Enhance Efficiency in Justice Delivery; Harmonization of Labour Laws and Courts Jurisprudence in East Africa to Improve Dispute Resolution; The Role of Electronic Case Management Systems in Improving Court Efficiency and Adjudicating Transnational Crimes in East African Courts: Legal Framework and Jurisdictional Challenges.

The East Africa Judges and Magistrates Association brings together membership from national associations representing magistrates and judges in the East African region. The mission of EAMJA is to promote and enhance the rule of law and accessibility to justice through harmonizing judicial systems within East Africa.