This was the first regional conference on ‘The Rule of Law in the Great Lakes Region’ that brought together highly qualified junior legal experts working as research assistants or postgraduate doctorate researchers from the Congolese universities of Kinshasa, Lubumbashi and Catholic University in Bukavu; the University of Burundi and the national University of Rwanda.

The forum sought to offer an opportunity to the participants to exchange views, ideas and experiences of their respective countries on pertinent issues relating to the rule of law with the aim of helping them develop common strategies in the resolution of some of the common challenges not only for the benefit of their respective countries in particular but also for the benefit of the entire region in general.

By bringing together potential future leaders in the region, this conference sought to build networks that would spur sustainable concerted efforts towards the promotion and protection of the rule of law in the Great Lakes region.

The conference was officially opened by Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, the Dean of the Faculty of Law of the National University of Rwanda who read the welcoming and keynote remarks on behalf of Prof. Silas Lwakabamba, Rector of the National University of Rwanda and the Deputy Chief Justice Sam Rugege respectively, both of whom could not grace the event due to unavoidable official duties.

Mr. Peter Wendoh, Project Advisor of Konrad Adenauer Stiftung’s Rule of Law Program for Sub Saharan Africa and Prof. Dr. Hartmut Hamann also addressed the participants and both underscored the importance of training and nurturing future leaders and policy makers in the region regarding the central role that the rule of law can play in the economic and social development, sustainable democracy, peace and stability in the region if upheld and respected by all citizens, leaders included.

The German Ambassador to Rwanda H.E. Elmar Timpe also sent his goodwill message to the participants and pledged the Embassy’s continued support to the objectives of the programme.

During the two days, participants worked in five groups and each group presented their report to the plenary.

Group one which was moderated by Prof. Adalbert Sango Mukalay and Prof. Kalala Ilunga-Matthiesen both of the University of Lubumbashi focused on ‘The role of the state under the rule of law’.

Group two which was moderated by Prof. Murhega Mashanda of the Catholic Unviersity, Bukavu focused on ‘The rule of law and economic development’.

Group three which was moderated by Prof. Jean-Michel Kumbu of University of Kinshasa focused on ‘Decentralisation’.

While group four which was moderated by Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja of National University of Rwanda focused on ‘Regional integration’.

Last but not least, group five which was moderated by Prof. Stanislas Makoroka, University of Burundi focused on ‘Courts and tribunals under the rule of law’.

There was also a special presentation by Prof. Hartmut Hamann on the ‘German Federalism, the European Integration and link between Europe and Africa’.

GTZ Rwanda under the aegis of its Good Governance component also shared with the participants its work insofar as the promotion and protection of the rule of law and decentralisation in Rwanda is concerned.