Inadequate budget big challenge facing judiciary in Africa: VP

Dar es Salaam. Inadequate budget is still a big challenge facing the judiciary in developing countries like Tanzania.

This was said by Vice President (VP) Samia Suluhu Hassan, when he addressed magistrates and judges at a Commonwealth magistrates and judges conference in Dar es Salaam on Monday September 25.

"A shortage of budget allocations or incompetence among magistrates and judges is still a big challenge facing the judiciary, which results in delays of cases in developing countries like Tanzania," she said.

She added: "Inadequate budget allocations in most developing countries deny the judiciary capacity to effectively and efficiently perform professional duties."

However, Ms Hassan assured judiciary officers of government's commitment to supporting the judiciary of Tanzania to ensure it was free from corruption and the government’s adherence to the rule of law.

Ms Hassan noted that the government of Tanzania in collaboration with the judiciary had embarked on the establishment and implementation of initiatives (strategic plans) to make it more effective, efficient and accountable in the fight against corruption and delays of cases.

"Resolutions that will be generated from this conference will improve the capacity of the judiciary in our country," she noted.

For his part, Chief Justice of Tanzania, Prof Ibrahim Juma, said he was optimistic that a four-day CMJA conference would give magistrates and judges an opportunity to share experience and initiatives in their respective countries.

"In Tanzania, the judiciary has embarked on a strategic plan to make it more effective, efficient and accountable," he said.

He added: "The judiciary of Tanzania understands the freedom of magistrates and judges to perform their professionally."

Prof Juma further commented that adequate funding to the judiciary would build the judiciary capacity and make it more effective, efficient and accountable.

"I commend the fifth phase government for the support it offers to the judiciary of Tanzania through increasing budget allocations," he said.

However, Prof Juma revealed that the judiciary of Tanzania and other developing countries faced a shortage of court buildings, urging the governments to invest in the construction of court buildings in their respective countries.

"Apart from a shortage of funds, the developing countries, including Tanzania, still face a shortage of court buildings, which limit magistrates and judges to perform their daily professional duties," he said.

For his part, CMJA President Chief Judge John Lowndes thanked the government of Tanzania  under President John Magufuli for giving them such a privilege to hold this year's CMJA conference in Dar es Salaam.

With this year’s theme "Building an Effective, Accountable and Inclusive Judiciary”, the CMJA conference has brought together Commonwealth Chief Justices, judges and magistrates to share judiciary experience and initiatives.