DRAFT PROGRAMME
JUDICIALISM AND GOOD GOVERNANCE
TUESDAY 25th AUGUST to THURSDAY 27th August 2009
Centre for African Studies
University of Cape Town
Note: Initially this conference was to be held in Abuja, Nigeria. Most of the planning was done by the Nigerian Institute for Advanced Legal Studies. A serious lack of funding led to a decision to move it to Cape Town because travel to Cape Town is considerably cheaper and because both conference facilities and accommodation could be secured in Cape Town more cheaply. The ANCL-RADC wishes to extend its thanks to the team in Nigeria that did the initial work for this conference.
Notes on the theme of the Conference
Judicialism is the backbone of constitutionalism and concerns the resort by the judiciary to inherent judicial powers in the determination of disputes before it within the limits of constitutional authority. Typically, the constitutional framework of a country provides for the appointment of judges, the scope of judicial power; the independence of the judiciary, including separation of powers and checks and balances, and discipline and accountability in the judiciary.
The political authority to govern is derived from the collective will of the populace, given in exchange for the expectation or promise that it will be used responsibly in managing the nation’s affairs for the development and the wellbeing of the society. Meeting this expectation is therefore the ultimate goal of any responsible government and the fundamental landmark of good governance. To effectively achieve this goal, governance is channeled through three main organs viz. - the executive, the legislature and the judiciary. These three organs in turn, work through a structure of laws, rules and regulations, arbitrated by judges and administrative bodies for the benefit of the public’s welfare.
TUESDAY 25TH AUGUST
Opening cocktail function
Law faculty common room, 18h30
Welcome and opening remarks: Professor Christina Murray
President of the African Network of Constitutional Lawyers
WEDNESDAY 26TH AUGUST
Registration: 8.30 – 9.00
1ST SESSION: 9.00 -10.45
INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY
Chair: Christina Murray
Abderrahim El Maslouhi (MOR) Separation of Powers and Reform of the Legal System in Morocco
Leon Odimula (CON) The Threats to the Independence of the Judicial Power (Factors affecting the Independence of the Judicial Power)
Rebecca Badejogbin & Judicial Accountability & Discipline in
Mercy Onoriode (NIG) Nigeria: Imperatives for the New Democratic Order
Roger Claude Liwanga (SA) The Independence of Judicial Power in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Myth or Reality?
Discussion
TEA 10.45 -11.00
2nd SESSION: 11.00 – 12.45
JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE CONTINUED
Chair: Charles Fombad
Jonathan Klaaren (SA) Introducing the Gauteng Scrutiny of Subordinate Legislation Act
Bibombe Muamba Bonaventure (DRC) - Etat de Droit et Bonne Gouvernance
Freddy Mnyongani (SA) The Judiciary as a Site of the Struggle for Political Power: a South African Perspective
Jean-Louis Esambo Kangashe The independence of the judiciary and separation of powers under Congolese constitution
Discussion
LUNCH 1245 - 1345
3RD SESSION - 13h45 – 15h45
CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM: KENYA IN FOCUS
Chair : Enyinna Nwauche
Introduction Charles Motoi (KEN)
Judge Johann Kriegler (SA) - Justice Emeritus of the South African Constitutional Court and Chair of the Independent Review Commission which examined the 2007 Kenyan elections: Lessons for us all from the Kenyan elections
Christina Murray (SA) – Member of the Kenyan Committee of Experts: Constitution making in Kenya - experts, politicians and the people
Michael Chelogoy (KEN) – Deputy Director of Research, Kenyan Committee of Experts: Managing public submissions in the 2009 Kenyan constitutional review process
Discussion
TEA 15h45-16h00
4th SESSION – 16h00 – 17h30
ELECTIONS
Chair –Justice Johann Kriegler
Presentations
M. Benjamin (CON) - L’accompagnement du processus électoral en R.D.Congo
Bourema Kansaye (MALI) The Judiciary and the Election Process
Edwin Abuya (KEN) Strengthening Electoral Management Boards in Africa: Lessons from Kenya and Zimbabwe.
Discussion
ANCL-RADC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING 17.45 - 19.00
19h00 Busses depart to Waterfront for those interested
THURSDAY 27TH AUGUST
5th Session – General Meeting of the ANCL 09.00 -10:30
TEA 10:30-10:45
6th SESSION 10.45 - 1230
JUDGES, THE EXECUTIVE AND THE PEOPLE
Chair -XXXXXXXXX
Presentations
E.K. Quansah (GH) &
C.M. Fombad (CAM) - Judicial Activism: Possible Defence
Against Authoritarian Resurgence?
Rosaan Kruger (SA) - The South African Constitutional Court and the Rule of Law: Masethla judgment a cause for concern?
Nomthandazo Ntlama (SA) - Merafong: The “Deference” of Judicial Power to the State
Discussion
LUNCH 1230-1330
7th SESSION 1330-1545
THE JUDGE AND CONSTITUTIONAL INTERPRETATION
Chair - Abderrahim El Maslouhi
Presentations
Fatima Diallo (SEN) - le juge constitutionnel et la construction de l'etat de droit au Senegal.
Mayacine Diagne (SEN) Le juge constitutionnel africain et la technique des reserves d'interpretation
Erenest Folefack (CAM) L’Acte De Gouvernement Contre L’etat De
Droit ou les tentatives des autorités administratives de mettre leurs actes et actions à l’abri du contrôle juridictionnel: débats et états des lieux en Afrique francophone.
Celestin Tchapnga (CAM) Une nouveauté en Afrique francophone: Le juge constitutionnel, juge administratif au Bénin et au Gabon
Discussion
TEA 1545 1600
8th Session 1600 – 17.00
OTHER ISSUES IN AFRICAN CONSTITUTIONAL LAW
Enyinna Nwauche (NIG) Enforcing ECOWAS Law in West African
Courts.
Rkia el Mossadeq (MOR) Le passage à la constitution institutionnelle mythe ou réalité
Mugambi Laibuta (KEN) Sealing Constitutional Gaps: A Case for Judicial Activism in the Protection, Justiciability and Enforcement of Socio-Economic Rights in Kenya.
Perhaps if we have a bit of extra space we can include some general blurb (or this can go with the conference blurb?)
List of exec committee members……
Web address
List of previous conferences:
April 2006 – Cape Town
ANCL-RADC was relaunched at a Roundtable of the International Association of Constitutional Law on Constitutionalism after Transition
April 2007 – Nairobi
Annual ANCL Conference – Fostering constitutionalism in Africa
August 2008 – Dakar
Annual ANCL Conference – Constitutionalism and conflict resolution in Africa
August 2009 – Cape Town
Annual ANCL Conference – Judicialism and Good Governance
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