The East African Court of Justice in the Reestablished East African Community: Institutional Structure and Function in the Integration Process

The East African Court of Justice (EACJ) should play a role in furthering the process of cooperation among Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. However, many questions arise relating to the institutional structure and how well this is suited to deal with the issues arising in the course of cooperation. The EACJ is overshadowed by a lethargy of half measures and controls that threaten to deny it the independence required for the proper performance of its functions. Member States have in several ways limited the area of competence of the Court in a bid to minimize interference by it in their affairs. Against this background, the present paper examines the EACJ’s structure, organization and functions; compares the EACJ with the European Court of Human Rights; and makes suggestions for the reform of the institution. Notes, ref. [ASC Leiden abstract]