THE RULE OF LAW IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: PROMISES, PROGRESS, PITFALLS AND PROSPECTS

This conference was jointly organized by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Rule of Law Program for Sub-Saharan Africa and the Institute for International and Comparative Law in Africa, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, South Africa. The conference sought to identify and discuss the contemporary challenges to, and reasons for the steady decline in the state of the rule of law in the Sub-Saharan region. It also endevoured to find possible solutions for a progressive future.

REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON THE DEMOCRATISATION AGENDA IN SOUTHERN AFRICA: PROGRESS, CHALLENGES AND THE WAY FORWARD

The Rule of Law Program for Sub Saharan Africa in collaboration with the SADC LA convened a regional stakeholders’ workshop on 22nd and 23rd May 2017 in Johannesburg under the theme ‘Democratisation Agenda in Southern Africa: Progress, Challenges and the Way Forward’ that sought to contribute to the protection and strengthening of democracy in the SADC region.

FIFTH REGIONAL CONFERENCE

The fifth regional conference addressing requirements for an independent and effective judiciary was held in Dakar, Senegal on 3rd and 4th March 2017

RULE OF LAW AND INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA: RHETORIC, CONTESTATIONS AND OPTIONS FOR ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR WOMEN

Linking gendered limitations of access to justice to African women’s lack of development has been an area lacking strong research to policy engagement. Accordingly, KAS' Rule of Law Program for Sub-Saharan Africa hosted a workshop in Windhoek, Namibia between 20th and 21st January 2017 to specifically dialogue on these concerns.

Stakeholders' Conference on Activism against Corruption

22nd - 24th November 2016, Johannesburg - South Africa

The stakeholder’s conference on Activism against Corruption in Africa was held in Johannesburg, South Africa. This was a follow-up conference to Combating Corruption that was held in Cape Town 2015. The conference was organised in conjunction with “IFAISA” (Institute for Accountability in South Africa) and brought together various actors drawn from the legal, political, private sector, civil society, faith-based organizations, the media, academia, trade unions and State agencies to deliberate on the active role that each sector and individual can play towards fighting corruption in Africa.

Event Report: Symposium on the Rule of Law in Africa

Ten Years of KAS’ Rule of Law Program for Sub-Saharan Africa: Results, Challenges and Prospects

From 15th to 16th November 2016, partners, collaborators and friends of the KAS Rule of Law Program for Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as invited distinguished guests convened at the Strathmore University in Nairobi to commemorate ten years of its operations on the continent. A symposium to review the past achievements and reflect on the future challenges and prospects was the highlight of this event. The symposium was officially opened by Kenya’s new Chief Justice David Maraga and tackled various thematic areas pertinent to the rule of law in Africa.

Annual Jurists' Conference 2016: The State of Democracy and Transition in Africa

9th - 12th November 2016, Durban - South Africa

The 2016 Annual Jurists’ Conference organised in partnership with the Kenyan Section of the International Commission of Jurists addressed the regression in African democracies from different perspectives. Speakers and panellists comprised of scholars, judges, politicians and representatives of the Civil Society from Africa. The discussions dealt with qualities of leadership, involvement of the citizenry in political processes and mechanisms of holding governments accountable which if left unchecked could easily lead to state instability thereby threatening national cohesion.

Haki Na Sheria Dialogue Forum

The Nexus between Development and Corruption. A Perspective from a practicing Parliamentarian.

These regular fora address topical issues affecting Kenya and Africa in general from political, legal, social and economic angles. Hon. Isaac Mwaura, a Member of Parliament from Kenya was the guest speaker at the early breakfast dialogue forum held on 27nd September 2016 that focused on the nexus between development and corruption from a parliamentarian’s perspective. The audience comprised of interested actors from various professional backgrounds in Nairobi, including politicians, journalists, jurists, economists, scholars and members of the public.

Haki Na Sheria Dialogue Forum - 'Is Zimbabwe on the Brink? Perspectives of a Politician.'

Simbabwe - Ein Land am Abgrund?

These regular fora address topical issues affecting Kenya and Africa in general from political, legal, social and economic angles. Hon. Eddie Cross, a Member of Parliament from Zimbabwe, was the guest speaker at the early breakfast dialogue forum held on 22nd September 2016 where the current political and economic situation in Zimbabwe were discussed. The audience comprised of interested actors from various professional backgrounds in Nairobi, including politicians, journalists, jurists, economists, scholars and members of the public.

Reflection on UNEA-2 outcomes and climate change adaptation through a multi stakeholder approach

Post-UNEA-2 Workshop for East and Southern Africa

Knowing that Africa is the most vulnerable continent with regard to the effects of climate change, the Rule of Law Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa of KAS partnered with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) Kenya, the Consumer Unity and Trust Society (CUTS) Nairobi and Africa Network for Animal Welfare (ANAW) to organise a two-day regional workshop on 20-21 September 2016 to reflect on the UNEA-2 resolutions with a focus on climate change as well as the Paris Agreement outcomes, while emphasising on the action points from these processes.