Rédaction Africa Links 24 with The Observer
Published on 2024-02-23 04:21:32
The East African Court of Justice (EACJ) has taken a step towards justice by requesting activist groups to submit a written petition in an appeal seeking to overturn a ruling that previously blocked the construction of the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project. This project, which runs between Uganda and Tanzania, has been a subject of controversy and legal battles.
In November 2023, the regional court in Arusha dismissed a case filed by activists, including the African Centre for Energy Governance (AFIEGO), against the EACOP project, citing that the case was filed too late or out of time. However, AFIEGO, along with other activist groups like Center for Food and Adequate Living Rights (CEFROHT)-Uganda, Natural Justice (NJ)-Kenya, and Centre for Strategic Litigation (CSL)-Tanzania, decided to appeal the ruling in a case filed in November 2020.
The appellate division of EACJ has now accepted the appeal and set a deadline for written submissions by the activists by March 22, 2024. Additionally, the governments of Uganda and Tanzania, as well as the secretary general of the East African Community (EAC), who are the respondents in the case, have been asked to file their counterarguments by April 22, 2024.
The activists argue that the EACOP project violates various East African and international treaties and laws, including the EAC Treaty, Protocol for Sustainable Development of the Lake Victoria basin, Convention on Biological Diversity, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, and African Convention on Conservation of Natural Resources, among others.
They have been instructed to submit any rejoinders to the counterarguments by May 6, 2024. AFIEGO’s CEO, Dickens Kamugisha, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision to ensure justice for the benefit of communities. He emphasized the importance of challenging projects that threaten natural resources relied upon by communities.
Farida Aliwa, the executive director of Natural Justice, highlighted their commitment to protecting the environment and the well-being of people in East Africa. She reiterated their determination to present a strong case to support the sustainable future of the region.
The EACOP is a 1,443-kilometre pipeline intended to transport oil from Lake Albert in Uganda to Tanzania’s port of Tanga. Despite denials from Uganda and Tanzania regarding adverse environmental impacts, activist groups continue to raise concerns about the project’s potential consequences.
The upcoming submission of written arguments by the activists and the counterarguments by the governments will shed light on the environmental and social implications of the EACOP project. The court’s decision on this appeal will have significant implications for the future of East Africa and the balance between development and environmental conservation.
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