In Nairobi, Morocco defends a common African legal space

ISpeaking at the opening of the Third Regional Symposium on Greening Judicial Systems in Africa (03-05 April), Iman Al-Malki, Head of Department at the Supreme Council of the Judiciary (CSPJ), emphasized the need to strike a balance between the needs of sustainable development and environmental protection in all reform projects, within a common legal framework.

Al-Maliki, counselor of the Court of Cassation, said that the issue of the environment is a unifying element for African countries, and enshrines continental affiliation and a common destiny, noting that the environment is a common interest and a collective responsibility for all countries, which requires. Involve all players, by defining the responsibilities of each player.

She pointed out that African countries face the same problems, namely desertification, drought and climate change, noting that the African citizen has moved from the stage of adapting to his environment to searching for better opportunities in a better environment.

In this regard, she stressed the importance of modernizing the legal system by adapting it to regional and international obligations, as well as the importance of ensuring human, logistical and administrative resources to implement these obligations, claiming that it is in favor of a preventive and repressive approach in order to “stop the environmental bleeding.”

Al-Maliki called for paying special attention to this project and providing all means for the judiciary, human, scientific and organizational, in order to live up to expectations and challenges.

She indicated that the Courts of Cassation were the first to direct towards a green future, by modernizing judicial and administrative work mechanisms, as well as continuing training courses for their judges, highlighting the role of judicial training institutes in enacting environmental law. An essential component of training curricula.

She also stressed the central role of justice in protecting rights and freedoms in general and in consecrating environmental security in particular, pointing to the need for serious initiatives and integrated strategies to correct imbalances, overcome obstacles and face challenges with courage and clarity.

Al-Maliki stressed that “this symposium is a major step in the way we are walking together for successful legislation and environmental justice that accommodates transformations and allows us to fulfill our commitments.”

More than 300 participants, including 27 Chief Justices from African countries, are taking part in the Third Regional Symposium on Greening Justice Systems in Africa, which runs until Wednesday under the theme: “Strengthening the role of the judiciary in combating climate change in Africa.”

The opening session was marked by the presence of Kenyan President William Ruto, who in his speech called on African leaders to stand together in combating climate change, noting that Africa is disproportionately affected by its negative effects.

The institutional reconfigurations and economic reconfigurations that result from this structural change, Ruto argued, will establish Africa not just as the continent of the future, but as a global green economic superpower.