Eacj Dismisses Eacop Case on Procedural Grounds and Shuts Its Doors to Impacted Communities

Ugandan and Tanzanian EACOP-impacted community representatives attend the ruling at the EACJ

By Zaki Mamdoo
StopEACOP Campaign Coordinator

The East African Court of Justice (EACJ) Appellate Division upheld the decision by the First Instance Division of the EACJ which, in November 2023, dismissed a case filed by four East African civil society organisations (CSOs) in November 2020, much to the disappointment of the EACOP-Project Affected Persons (PAPs) who viewed the court as having shut the door of justice on them.

The Court ruled that the case filed by Natural Justice (Kenya), Africa Institute for Energy Governance (AFIEGO) Uganda, Center for Food and Adequate Living (CEFROHT) Uganda, and the Center for Strategic Litigation (Tanzania) fell outside the required filing period.

For the StopEACOP Coalition, the judges have chosen to treat a profound question of people’s rights, environmental survival, and climate justice as a mere procedural file.

In doing so, they have delivered a heavy blow to the promise of regional justice and cast a deep shadow over the Court’s own credibility as the body tasked with ensuring adherence to the East African Community (EAC) Treaty.

“We strongly condemn the ruling made by the East African Court of Justice, which has told millions of people across the region that technicalities matter more than their lives, their land, and their future.

That is not neutrality nor objectivity.

It is a choice in favour of oil companies and the governments that serve them”, said Zaki Mamdoo, StopEACOP Campaign Coordinator.