Mumba advises African countries to practice laws according to their constitutions
Former Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) Chairperson, Justice Florence Mumba, has urged African countries to practice laws enshrined in their constitutions.
Justice Mumba, who is also retired Deputy Chief Justice, has observed that most African countries do not enforce fully their laws but instead refer serious cases which are supposed to be tried within their countries to the International Court of Justice.
Justice Mumba was speaking yesterday during the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) discussion forum when she propounded on the Kenyan election violence of 2007 at Taj Pamodzi hotel in Lusaka.
She said African countries fail to try serious cases in their countries because of selfishness exhibited by politicians in power.
And Justice Mumba has disputed that the International Court of Justice is targeting most African countries.
Justice Mumba said it is unfair to accuse the International Court of Justice of targeting African countries and stated that it is African countries that refer serious cases to the ICC due to failure to try cases within their jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, a constitutional lawyer, Muna Ndulo, said the International Court of Justice only tries cases referred to it by countries failing to prosecute serious cases.
Prof Ndulo said currently the International Court of Justice is trying 21 cases involving African countries for crimes against humanity, genocide and other serious cases.
He cited the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Uganda, Darfur and Liberia as one of those countries among others whose leaders are tried by International Court of Justice.
I hope you realise that you are speaking to empty Tins madam? Since when did Africa or it’s leaders did anything out of the ordinary? You are wasting your breath… that bunch will never cease to amaze me, Always the old ones out together with India! If they are not begging they are busy abusing the Law, their countries are dead broken due to corruption and thieving in broad day light, what a bunch! Can’t you learn something from the biggest thieves and exploiters the West? Losers!
Cindy how have you been, it is nice to see an old timer here. Now if Only Nine Chale, Engine BHloko and Aunt Maureen would stop by.
Justice Florence Mumba will be my first choice for Chief Justice when I am president.
The cost of some international cases at the high court in UK is quiet high. I think there was discussions around not escalating the costs so as to encourage Foreign gov’ts to use the courts. Most of the serious human right cases would never be heard because of intervention by African gov’ts. It’s not selfishness by African Leaders, but corruption that prevents African courts trying the more serious cases. Also the independent courts provide an independent 3rd party intervention that can be trusted. However, I agree with Justice Mumba that it is time for our continent to try these cases, if only to provide our own solutions to our problems. I am sure we can work on our limitations actively enough to find resolutions to make such a court work for Africa.
It starts with one country at a time taking responsibility.
Imagine her running the Highest Court, with the the State insurance lady also running ZRA, with the greatness of the lady who is head of Auditing. Our Auditor general.
So African countries take themselves to the Hague, and then complain when the victimize us on global media channels. Irony indeed.