Niël Terblanché
Namibia’s Chief Justice, Peter Shivute, welcomed a delegation of Angolan judicial officers in Windhoek on Monday.
The visit by the Angolan judiciary officials is part of a judicial exchange programme aimed at strengthening cooperation and knowledge-sharing between the two nations.
The initiative is facilitated by the Southern and East African Chief Justice Forum (SEACJF) with support from the American Bar Association (ABA) Rule of Law Initiative (ROLI) and is aimed at strengthening judicial capacities in Angola and Namibia.
Leading the Angolan delegation is Dr Anabela Couto de Castro Valente, Adviser Judge on Functions in the Criminal Chamber of Angola’s Supreme Court.
She was joined by Dr Jacira Catumbela de Castro, Judge of the Luanda District Court; Dr Josina Massua Falcão, Judge of Law and Guarantees at the Viana District Court; and Dr Maria de Nazare Castelo Branco, Judge of Law and Guarantees at the Luanda District Court.
Representatives from the ABA and SEACJF also accompanied the delegation, including Programme Officer, Felizardo Epalanga, Rule of Law Program Manager, Margareth Nangacovie, and SEACJF Coordinator, Sangwani Nyimbiri.
During a formal welcome at Namibia’s Supreme Court, Justice Shivute pointed out the significance of judicial collaboration between the two nations.
While Namibia and Angola have historically maintained robust ties at the executive and legislative levels, the judiciary has seen fewer opportunities for direct engagement.
Justice Shivute said that the exchange programme serves as a critical platform to enhance judicial understanding and capacity building for both countries, aligning their practices with the constitutional principles and aspirations of their respective nations.
Dr Valente expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the programme and added that Angola is eager to reciprocate by hosting Namibian judicial officers in the future.
She also stressed the value of shared experiences in addressing common challenges within their judicial systems.
The week-long programme, which concludes on Friday, aims to increase dialogue and learning between judicial professionals.
The focus is on enhancing judicial efficiency, ensuring the rule of law, and promoting the protection of constitutional rights.
During the programme, sessions will include discussions on legal practices, the promotion of judicial independence, and the strengthening of justice systems to meet societal needs effectively.
This collaboration reiterates the importance of regional partnerships in advancing judicial reform and capacity building across Southern and East Africa.
By sharing experiences and expertise, the programme seeks to create a robust framework for addressing shared challenges, including case backlog reduction, the application of constitutional principles, and the strengthening of judicial independence.
According to the Namibian Judiciary, the programme is an important step in creating greater cooperation and understanding while also improving ways to uphold the rule of law and ensuring justice for all.
