WELCOMING REMARKS

Dear fellow members of the East African Judges and Magistrate’s Association (EAMJA), you are all warmly welcome to Rwanda, a Country of a Thousand Hills and a Thousand smiles. As it has been announced to you through notices and invitation letters, the judiciary of Rwanda will host the 19th Annual EAMJA Conference under the theme ''EAC Courts Efficiency in Adjudicating Emerging Cross Border Issues: Challenges and Strengths' '. On this occasion, highly experienced legal practitioners: researchers, lawyers and judges will debate on the adjudication of cross-border cases in commercial, civil, criminal and human rights matters, particularly within the East African Community.

Papers and debate on regional case law will enrich the knowledge of the participants on the complexity of legal issues in cross-border cases. Furthermore, we are convinced that from these debates it will be possible to formulate recommendations that can help our respective courts and tribunals to considerably improve their capacities to adjudicate cases in this particular area of law, and thus strengthen the rule of law within the East African Community.

Moreover, the organization of the EAMJA Annual Conference is, and has always been, a great opportunity for its participants to strengthen social relations and friendship and contribute to the regional integration which is one of the major objectives of the Treaty for the establishment of the Community of East African States as amended on December 14, 2006 and August 20, 2007. Therefore, on the sidelines of the Conference with its purely scientific and professional presentations and debates, relaxation and entertainment will also be on the agenda; gala dinners, exhibitions of cultural dances by the participants, excursions to tourist and historical places in the city of Kigali, amateur sports, etc. It is important to note also that for those who will be accompanied by their spouses, friends or family members, there will be a special entertainment or tourism program that will allow them to have an excellent stay in Rwanda while their partners will be busy in the conference.

To all these important events for our respective judiciaries and for our East African community at large as well as our honorable guests, I wish you a warm welcome on behalf of Rwandan Judges and Registrars Association (RJRA). Come in large numbers to enjoy the knowledge and experience of eminent judges, researchers and legal practitioners, especially in the fields relating to the theme of our conference, and at the same time enjoy the beauty of Rwanda, its cultural heritage and the warm hospitality of its people.

KARIBUNI SANA, RWANDA PIA HAKUNA MATATA

Justice KADIGWA GASHONGORE

President of Rwandan Judges and Registrars’ Association.