The Court of Justice of the African Union was originally intended to be the "principal
judicial
The judiciary (also known as the judicial system, judicature, judicial branch, judiciative branch, and court or judiciary system) is the system of courts that adjudicates legal disputes/disagreements and interprets, defends, and applies the law ...
organ" of the African Union (
Protocol of the Court of Justice of the
African Union, Article 2.2) with authority to rule on disputes over interpretation of AU treaties. The Court has, however, never come into existence because the African Union has decided that it should be merged with the
African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights to form a new court: the
African Court of Justice and Human Rights (ACJHR). Underlying this decision was the concern at the growing number of AU institutions, which the AU could not afford to support.
"Frequently Asked Questions: Does Court Deal Criminal Matters?"
website African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights
A protocol to set up the Court of Justice was adopted in 2003, and entered into force in 2009. It was, however, superseded by a protocol creating the African Court of Justice and Human Rights.
The merger protocol was adopted during the 11th African Union Summit in July 2008. The united court will be based in Arusha, Tanzania.
See also
* African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights
* East African Court of Justice
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:African Court Of Justice
Organs of the African Union
International courts and tribunals