The Roles of the COMESA Court in the Promotion of Environmental Justice in theCOMESA Region

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the roles of the Court of Justice for Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) in the promotion of environmental justice within the region. COMESA was established in 1994 with the primary purpose of promoting regional economic integration and the development of human and natural resources within the region. The jurisdiction of the COMESA Court of Justice extends to environmental matters that intersect with the focus of COMESA as captured in its treaty provisions. The court, for instance, has interpreted environmental matters that affect human rights, economic integration and natural resources. The Court has decided environmental cases instituted against the member states, institutions or individuals in conformity with the Treaty provisions. This study ends with some recommendations on how to combat some challenges affecting the court in the accomplishment of its environmental objectives especially against the member states.