East African Court of Justice Resumes Sessions Amid Funding Crisis

The East African Court of Justice (EACJ) has reopened its September session in Arusha, following a hiatus since May due to funding shortages. Judges resumed work on September 16, aiming to tackle a significant backlog of over 260 pending cases by October 11.

A court statement highlighted that financial challenges forced the cancellation of sessions in May and June 2024, exacerbating the case backlog. This session will address 25 matters, including 15 hearings and key applications.

Notable cases include Kenyan opposition leader Martha Karua’s challenge against the government, set for September 24. Karua alleges that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission illegally declared William Ruto president following the 2022 elections. Another significant matter involves a dispute between DR Congo and Rwanda concerning regional security, scheduled for September 26. The court will also consider a petition from former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko regarding his 2020 impeachment.

Additionally, the EACJ faces a shortage of judges in the First Instance Division, necessitating appointments from Kenya, South Sudan, and Somalia. These vacancies are expected to be filled at the upcoming Summit of Heads of State in November 2024.