NORTHERN PROVINCE MUSANZE — Local mediators commonly known as Abunzi will be trained in legal matters to boost their capacity in handling minor legal cases at village level. As part of a resolution reached at by regional legal officials who convened in Musanze district for a two-day retreat. The officials argue that building the capacity of Abunzi will help reduce cases that are handled by the mainstream courts. The retreat attracted High Court Judges, Registrars and Presidents of Grand Instance Courts. In their deliberations, participants stressed that the judiciary is a strong pillar of peace and development. They suggested that there should be an agreeable policy framework to promote the settling of minor cases and disputes within the communities by local authorities and the Abunzi instead of taking them to courts of law. Johnston Busingye, the President of the High Court, asked the judges to promote impartial justice based on independence and integrity. “The core mission of judges is to deliver justice to Rwandans and therefore the resources should be budgeted in accordance with that mission,’’ Busingye said. Earlier, in his opening remarks, the governor of the Northern Province, Boniface Rucagu, observed that judges are peacemakers whose decisions bring order, unity and reconciliation. Concern was however expressed over the periodical adjournment of cases and the judges’ failure to give their verdicts in time. In a joint resolution, the participants resolved that the adjournment of cases should be based on strong reasons and should be in accordance with legal provisions. They also resolved that the decisions of the courts should always be communicated to the prisons authorities in order to allow easy implementation of verdicts. Ends
