In 2013, the African Union (AU) adopted Agenda 2063-a policy document which sets out seven continental developmental Aspirations.[1] Linked with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the AU Agenda 2063 provides a framework for the coordination of development efforts by stakeholders in Africa. Since its adoption, development stakeholders have been convening regularly to discuss, undertake collaborative action and evaluate their contribution towards the attainment of these developmental Aspirations. These stakeholders include civic society, the media, and executive arms of governments.  However, there has not been any structured, systematic and sustained discussions amongst African judiciaries, on their contribution to the attainment of Agenda 2063. Although judiciaries have been meeting to discuss aspects related to some of the Aspirations under Agenda 2063, these discussions have not been consistent and rather they have been ad hoc and opportunistic.

Judiciaries are a key stakeholder for the achievement of all the developmental Aspirations set out under Agenda 2063. For example, the effective enforcement of the rule of law and protection of human rights through impartial and independent judicial decisions is key for the creation of an Africa that is prosperous and based on inclusive growth and sustainable development (Aspiration 1); an Africa of good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law (Aspiration 3); and an Africa that is peaceful and secure (Aspiration 4); an Africa with a strong cultural identity, common heritage, values and ethics (Aspiration 5); and an Africa whose development is people driven and is inspired by the potential of Women and Youth (Aspiration 6). Thus, the role of the judiciary is not just limited to the attainment of a single developmental Aspiration, but it cuts across the spectrum of all the Aspirations set out under Agenda 2063. Therefore, it is critical that African judiciaries must convene regularly and create a platform where they exchange practical insights on how they can meaningfully contribute towards the attainment of these developmental Aspirations, as well as peer review each other’s efforts in this regard.

[1] See https://au.int/en/agenda2063/goals

In 2024, the Africa Judges and Jurists Forum (AJJF) in collaboration with the Judiciary of Kenya will launch such a platform to be known as “All Africa Judges and Jurists Summit (AJJS).” This symposium will be convened annually, and each edition of the symposium will discuss a specific developmental Aspiration under the AU Agenda 2063. The first edition of All Africa Judges and Jurists Summit (AJJS) will be held in the last week of August 2024 in Nairobi. This edition will bring together judges, jurists, lawyers, academics and human rights defenders from across Africa. Discussions during the 2024 edition of All Africa Judges and Jurists Summit (AJJS) will focus on the role of judiciaries in implementing Aspiration No.3 of the AU Agenda 2063 which seeks to achieve “An Africa of Good Governance, Democracy, Respect for Human Rights, Justice and the Rule of Law.”