SHARE
The obligation to uphold the rule of law is an integral part of the overall commitment to governance and democracy by African heads of state and government.
This commitment was expressed in the AU Constitutive Act during the period of transformation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) into the AU.
The statutory responsibilities and related assurances to abide by the rule of law are part of wider AU efforts to counter the threats to peace and security, particularly those arising from armed conflicts associated with electoral processes and political level transitions.
Within this context, the AU Commission and International IDEA organized a workshop on ‘Challenges to the Rule of Law in Africa’ on 12–13 April 2016 in Pretoria, South Africa. The purpose of the workshop was to identify the challenges that confront AU Member States with respect to the rule of law and to propose strategic actions that could be used to overcome the identified difficulties.
Contents
Executive summary
Introduction
Opening session
Presentation of draft Discussion Paper
Panel 1: The rule of law and state legitimacy in Africa
Panel 2: The primacy of the constitution and the law
Panel 3: Implementation of regional norms and standards
Panel 4: Respect for human rights and civil liberties
Panel 5: The challenges of poverty and exclusion
Panel 6: A shrinking civil space
Panel 7: Judicial democracy to consolidate the rule of law in Africa
Closing ceremony
Conclusions
Annex A. Concept note
Annex B. Programme
Annex C. Participant list
