April 04
Kenya: Top Court Repudiates Kenyatta, Asserts Independence
Kenya's highest court has delivered a decision that strongly defends the independence of the judiciary and, by extension, the independence of the mechanism by which judges are… Read more »
March 15
Lesotho: Chief Justice Deplores Growing Police Brutality
The frustration of Lesotho's Chief Justice Sakoane Sakoane at continuing police brutality against ordinary citizens of that country is plainly evident in a new decision. Just as… Read more »
March 08
Kenya: Courts Uphold Gay Rights, But Struggle Continues
The decision by Kenya's Supreme Court, that the country's NGO co-ordination board must register an organisation with the words 'gay' and 'lesbian' in the name, has unleashed a… Read more »
February 07
Africa: Malawian Judge Unravels the Challenges of Foreign Adoptions
The Malawian judge who some years ago authorised singer Madonna's adoption of two girls has now delivered a thoroughgoing critique of the legislation surrounding adoptions in that… Read more »
November 02, 2022
Lesotho: Court Rules Out Mandatory Death Penalty for HIV+ Rapists
A decision by the constitutional division of Lesotho’s High Court has found controversial provisions in that country’s sexual offences law, unconstitutional. In… Read more »
October 06, 2022
Namibia: Court Condemns Police, Soldiers Who Beat Civilians
The case of Jane Owoses might cause outsiders to scratch their heads because of the assault she suffered at the hands of police, for no good reason. But for those who live in… Read more »
October 04, 2022
East Africa: Rwandan Genocide's Radio Station Chief Finally Goes on Trial
One of the last main suspects in the 1994 Rwandan genocide is on trial at the UN tribunal in The Hague. Félicien Kabuga is charged with genocide and crimes against humanity… Read more »
August 23, 2022
Kenya: Court Allows Comment on Election Challenges
Kenya's Supreme Court has been given a lesson on observing the separation of powers and not 'usurping' the legislative power of Parliament. Strangely enough, this lesson has come… Read more »
July 14, 2022
Namibia: Supreme Court Strikes Major Blow for Media Freedom
In a new judgment of extraordinary importance for freedom of expression and media freedom in Namibia, that country’s highest court has confirmed the development of the common… Read more »
July 05, 2022
Gambia: Hague Court Collects Evidence Against Former Dictator Jammeh
Former Gambian dictator Yahya Jammeh, who ruled the country with an iron fist for 22 years, is in touch with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in relation to allegations of… Read more »
May 23, 2022
Africa: U.S. and Russia Square Off Over Africa
The U.S. has passed a law to counter Russia in Africa by tracking its military operations, investments, oligarchs and suspected illicit financial flows. Read more »
March 29, 2022
Africa: Major Russian Gas Deal Linked to South Africa's Stance on Ukraine
South Africa' s image as a neutral party was last week shattered when it tried to introduce a resolution at the UN that made no mention of Russia. Pretoria's proposed resolution on… Read more »
February 28, 2022
Africa: Deep Divisions Over Russia's Bloody Invasion
Less than a week after the launch of a full-scale military invasion of Ukraine, Africa's troubled relationship with Russia has been brought into sharp focus. The AU has called for… Read more »
February 01, 2022
Lesotho: Defence Lawyers Tortured, Threatened by Police, Says Chief Justice
Two advocates of the Lesotho High Court, involved in a high-profile treason and murder trial, have become the latest to experience torture, death threats and other ill-treatment at… Read more »
November 02, 2021
Eswatini: End of the Road for Africa's Last Absolute Monarch?
Following months of turmoil and bloodshed, eSwatini Deputy Prime Minister Themba Masuku has conceded that the kingdom urgently needs to implement sweeping reforms. Read more »
August 25, 2021
Eswatini: Bench Dilemma in Key Eswatini Terrorism Ruling Appeal
The 2016 High Court judgment in this case came as a relief to many opposed to the present system in Eswatini because it found essential elements of two laws, regarded as highly… Read more »
June 21, 2021
Ethiopia: Dark Clouds Over Ethiopia Polls
Ethiopians went to the polls today after decades of repressive rule but whether the elections were held under free and fair conditions, or should have gone ahead at all , was the… Read more »
June 11, 2021
Africa: Political Meddling Threatens African Judges
In Lesotho, five judicial nominations by the Judicial Service Commission were refused ratification by King Letsie III in September 2020. The government eventually appointed a new… Read more »