Thu Sep 19 06:50:34 UTC 2024: ## East African Court of Justice Resumes Sessions Amidst Funding Challenges and Backlog
**Arusha, Tanzania** – The East African Court of Justice (EACJ) has resumed its sessions this week in Arusha after a break caused by funding shortages. The court is facing a significant backlog of over 260 cases, with the majority filed by citizens of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
The current session, which runs until October 11, will see the court consider 25 matters, including 15 hearings of applications and main references. Notably, the case of Kenyan opposition leader Martha Karua against the government, alleging irregularities in the 2022 presidential election, will be heard on September 24.
Other notable cases include a dispute between DR Congo and Rwanda over insecurity in eastern Congo, scheduled for September 26, and a petition filed by former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko challenging his impeachment in 2020.
The EACJ is also facing a shortage of judges in the First Instance Division, with vacancies needing to be filled from Kenya, South Sudan, and Somalia. The court hopes these positions will be filled at the next Summit of Heads of State in November 2024.
The resumption of sessions comes at a time when the court is grappling with financial challenges, which have contributed to the backlog. The EACJ is calling for greater financial support to ensure its effective operation and the timely resolution of pending cases.
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