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Without fear or favour
Supporting an independent, free judiciary in Southern Africa

The Annual Conference of the Southern African Chief Justices Forum SACJF just concluded in the Seychelles. Our partners from the University of Cape Town had facilitated crucial discussions at the event.

Welcome by Seychelles Chief Justice Dr Mathilda Twomey

Seychelles Chief Justice Dr Mathilda Twomey

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Welcome by the Chief Justice of the Seychelles

Republic of Seychelles Chief Justice Dr Mathilda Twomey welcomed delegates from the Southern African Chief Justices Forum member states to the Annual SACJF Conference in her country. 

She stressed the critical importance of judicial independence, impartiality and accountability for the constitutional system.

Chris Oxtoby from our partner project DGRU speaks

Chris Oxtoby from our partner project DGRU speaking

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Implementing the Lilongwe Principles

At the international conference, Chris Oxtoby from the Democratic Governance and Rights Unit (DGRU) at UCT, one of our partner organisations in South Africa, discussed the practical implementation of the Lilongwe Principles on the selection and appointment of judicial officers adopted in 2018. They had been drafted over several years with support from the DGRU team. What reforms are necessary in the different member states, and how to best achieve them?

Audience at the conference

Audience at the conference

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Facilitating democratic reforms

The Lilongwe Principles had been drafted in a collaborative process facilitated by the DGRU and adopted at the Annual SACJF Conference in Malawi in 2018.

Once implemented in all the member countries who adopted them, they can make a tremendous contribution to secure an independent judiciary that truly works without fear or favour. 

An article in a national paper of the Seychelles highlights the importance of the SACJF Conference: 

www.seychellesnewsagency.com/articles/11867/Without+Fear+or+Favour+Seychelles+welcomes+justices%2C+court+officials+from++countries+for+two-day+forum