International Dispute Settlement

This court is the judicial arm of the African Union. It has both contentious and advisory jurisdiction over the interpretation and application of the Constitutive Act of the Union; issues of international law; disputes that arise under treaties and subsidiary legal instruments adopted under the Unions auspices; disputes that concern any of the Union’s organs; disputes that arise under any other agreements that States Parties may conclude among themselves or with the Union and which confer jurisdiction on the Court; any breach of an obligation owed to a State Party or to the Union; disputes concerning the nature or extent of the reparation to be made for the breach of an obligation. Cases can be submitted by “(a) States Parties to this Protocol; (b) The Assembly, the Parliament and other organs of the Union authorised by the Assembly; (c) The Commission or a member of staff of the Commission in a dispute between them within the limits and under the conditions laid down in the Staff Rules and Regulations of the Union; (d) Third Parties under conditions to be determined by the Assembly and with the consent of the State Party concerned.” Art. 18, Protocol Of The Court Of Justice Of The African Union.

The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights established by the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Establishment of an African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Court of Justice of the African Union established by the Constitutive Act of the African Union, are hereby merged into a single Court and established as “The African Court of Justice and Human Rights”. Not currently in force.

This Court's mission is to contribute to regional Integration by ensuring adherence to justice, rule of law and fundamental rights and freedoms through the interpretation and application of and compliance with the East African Community Law.

The judicial organ of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) that resolves disputes related to the Community’s treaty, protocols and conventions. It also has the power to issue binding decisions on human rights violations.

The Court of Justice of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa was established in 1994 as the judicial arm of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). It settles disputes arising under the COMESA Treaty between COMESA’s Member States, Secretary General, individuals, and corporations.