President William Ruto has called for the strengthening of Africa’s traditional dispute resolution systems, arguing that dialogue and reconciliation remain the continent’s “original and foundational justice” mechanisms.
Speaking on his official X account, William Samoei Ruto said alternative justice mechanisms in Africa are not truly “alternative,” but rather deeply rooted systems that predate imported legal frameworks.
“In Africa, alternative justice mechanisms are not really alternative. Dialogue is not a substitute; it is our original, foundational justice. While litigation is imported, reconciliation is our true inheritance,” Ruto stated.
He noted that as Africa advances under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), there is a growing need to develop strong internal arbitration and dispute resolution institutions to handle rising commercial disputes within the continent.
“Quick, accessible justice is no longer just a social good; it is an economic engine for progress and prosperity,” he said, adding that most major arbitration institutions are currently based outside Africa.
Ruto further expressed concern that Africans account for less than eight percent of professional arbitrators globally, calling for urgent reforms to change the trend.
“We must change this. We ought to resolve our cases on African soil and by local institutions and jurists who understand our context,” he said.
He emphasized that Africa should not only retain its resources but also its justice systems, arguing that the continent should stop “exporting its justice.”
The Head of State made the remarks while addressing the Third African Chief Justices’ Summit on Alternative Dispute Resolution held in Nairobi, where judicial leaders from across the continent gathered to discuss reforms in dispute resolution systems.