Trustee Toni Fickentscher joins legal leaders at the 4th International Symposium on Constitutionalism and State Building in Africa

The Supreme Court and the Council of Constitutional Inquiry (CCI) of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, in cooperation with the Conference of Constitutional Jurisdictions of Africa, hosted the 4th International Legal Symposium on “Constitutionalism and State Building in Africa” in Addis Ababa at the end of November. Dr. Toni Fickentscher, Trustee of the World Law Foundation, participated on invitation of H.E. Mr. Tewodros Mihiret, President of the Supreme Court and Chairperson of CCI, in this very valuable and successful event, which took place at the headquarters of the African Union.

After the opening by the President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, H.E. Mr. Taye Atske Selassie, presidents and representatives of African constitutional courts, as well as academics and international guests, gave presentations and engaged in intensive discussions on topics such as “Conceptualizing constitutionalism, human rights enforcement, democratization impact, corruption, and judicial leadership.” Dr. Fickentscher himself spoke on the importance of the concept of militant democracy, especially in the digital age.

Besides the symposium, H.E. Mr. Tewodros Mihiret took time at the seat of the Supreme Court itself to present a broad plan for strengthening Ethiopia’s justice, which is already being gradually implemented under his leadership. It provides important steps to promote judicial independence and to introduce e-justice. Digitalization is being deliberately implemented in cooperation with local providers and it appears to be at a remarkably advanced stage—the presentation of the smart-courtroom in particular left a lasting impression on the participants.

In addition to the official program, the hosts provided with great hospitality a very interesting cultural program, offering insights into Ethiopia’s impressive history as the “cradle of humanity” represented by «Lucy/Dinknesh», right up to the Battle of Adwa, which also contains an important lesson for the present day: A society still can stick together despite major differences, like at that time ethnic and religious ones, and can achieve important things through a shared will.