We affirm that the rule of law is the fulcrum of a functional democracy. It is the belief that justice will be administered to all in fair and timely manner without let or hindrance, neither will status nor privilege define how the rule of law will promote, enhance and sustain accountability. African workers in the judiciary know that when the wheels of justice roll in true and effective service for all, society’s hope for equity is assured. Thus, the propensity to advance individual, group or communal, as well as institutions’ aspirations for greatness and progress is heightened and promising.
Sadly, the perception of the judiciary as” the last hope of the common man” continues to be on the downward horizontal trajectory. Corruption, conservatism, slow and inefficiency have shaped and sharpened some of the perceptions, real or imagined.
African judiciary workers rather than dwell in manufacturing excuses and erecting defences against the real or perceived public perceptions of the judiciary, note with concerns that the African judiciary is yet to effectively realise public expectations with respect to justice administration and her general contributions to the attainment of social justice and development.
CAJWU President
Therefore, as part of the efforts to make tangible and effective contributions to the enhancement of service and justice delivery in Africa, judiciary workers under the auspices of the Confederation of African Judiciary Workers Union (CAJWU) met in Kigali, Rwanda on the 16th and 17th July 2018 to deliberate on actionable steps.
Our organisation CAJWU, affirms at this meeting that access to justice is a human right.
CAJWU Secretary
We also affirm that an effective justice administration system is a sine qua non for law and order, stability and shared progress. We resolve to inculcate ethical conducts, professionalism and efficiency in the administration of justice. We also enthused that judiciary workers have real and strong roles to play in the attainment of the African Union Agenda 2063.
We have, therefore, decided to undertake the following actions:
- Call on judiciary workers in Africa to continue to make genuine efforts and tangible contributions toward the attainment of justice administration for all;
- To be active in the vanguard for judiciary reforms in Africa, especially at the national level in ways that will enhance per efficiency, integrity and independence;
- To continue to advocate for the effective separation of powers and to secure the guarantees for the genuine and complete autonomy of the judiciary;
- To continue to work with allies and other progressive forces at the local, national and regional levels, as well as international level for the institutionalization of there rule of law in Africa;
- To advocate for the transformation of the African judiciary to meet and deliver on 21st century justice administration through courts’ staff and functionaries’ skills and competences development; courts’ equipment procurement and ‘ infrastructure development, and; the introduction of relevant hardware and software technology, as well as pursue employment compensation regimes that enhance productivity and stifle the propensity for gratifications;
- To organise ALL judiciary workers in Africa for the purpose of accentuating their voices and representation aimed at protecting their human and labour rights.
Signed on the 17th day of July 2018 in Kigali, Rwanda by
Marwan Mustapha Adamu mni
President CAJWU
Vincent Makondo
Secretary General CAJWU
