On 21 August 2024, Judges and Staff of the COMESA Court of Justice paid a courtesy call on the African Union Legal Counsel and Director for Legal Affairs,Prof. Hajer GUELDICH, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The COMESA Court of Justice delegation was led by Hon. Justice Qinisile Mabuza – Principal Judge and included Hon. Dr Justice Wael Rady, Hon. Justice Mary Kasango, Hon. Dr Justice Leonard Gacuko, the Registrar, Hon. Nyambura Mbatia, and the Manager, Budget & Finance, Mr. Essayas Simon Leul. Also in attendance was Mr Salvator Matata, the representative of COMESA to the African Union.

Prof.GUELDICH, who was accompanied by a Team from the Legal Affairs Directorate, expressed her gratitude to the Court for the courtesy call. She stated that justice is the core of society and there was, therefore, a need to strengthen judicial bodies to guarantee the maintenance of the rule of law within the African Continent. Prof. GUELDICH recognised the integral role played by regional courts in the African integration agenda and noted that the fusion between human rights, trade and criminal courts in Africa called for some level of collaboration to ensure that the courts achieve their intended objectives. She flagged matters concerning money laundering and terrorism financing as some of the areas where collaboration between courts in Africa was necessary. Prof. GUELDICH reiterated the need for AU Member States to be in harmony with the vision of the African Union and to nurture African youth for the prosperity of the Continent.

Justice Mabuza thanked Prof. GUELDICH for finding time to meet the Court’s delegation. She stated that the Court was making concerted efforts to increase its visibility among Member States and other stakeholders. Her Ladyship observed that the African Union, as the Continental umbrella body for Africa, can be instrumental in promoting African regional courts as dispute settlement options for trade and investment matters.

The Registrar welcomed the offer to include the Court in online events as a startingpoint to the collaboration between the AU Office of Legal Counsel and the Court. Mr Matata, the COMESA Representative, drew the attention of the Court’s delegation to the Protocol on Relations Between the African Union and the Regional Economic Communities which is intended to promote cooperation among the RECs, and with the AU. He reiterated the need for the AU to take part in COMESA activities and noted that the AU Mid-year Coordination Meeting was a good forum to bring together the AU and RECs, and the Court could use this forum as one way to increase its visibility.