Africa

The Africa Division of the ABA Rule of Law Initiative, is a public service project that promotes the rule of law throughout Africa. Working in cooperation with governments and civil society groups, the Africa Division engages in a wide range of programs, including the training of judges and prosecutors, the establishment and maintenance of legal aid and victim support centers, and the provision of expertise in drafting legislation. The ABA implements its programs through partnerships with bar associations, judges associations, ministries of justice, police and immigration agencies and NGOs. The ABA is dedicated to developing projects that are responsive to the needs and priorities of the host countries with whom we work. Thus, the Africa Division provides advice based on a variety of national models, including those of both civil law and common law countries.

ABA ROLI Works to Improve Access to Ethiopian Laws

Adequate access to laws is a fundamental requirement of a functioning legal system. The ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI), with the United States Agency for International Development’s support, prepared a CD-ROM compilation of all Ethiopian laws ratified during the 2007–2008 parliamentary calendar year. Read more »»

 

Liberian Training Pilots Innovative Techniques, Supports New Professional Organization

In August, the James A. A. Pierre Judicial Institute (Institute) and the ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) partnered with the U.S.-based National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) to conduct training for 20 Liberian public defenders. The five-day seminar emphasized trial court techniques, including practical skills such as examining witnesses, writing motions, and preparing opening and closing statements. Read more »»

 

ABA ROLI and the Carter Center Train New Attorneys

The ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) and the Carter Center sponsored an advocacy training for 20 new Liberian attorneys. The trainees received their certificates of completion from M. Wilkins Wright, president of the Liberian National Bar Association. Read more »»

 

Podcast: ABA ROLI’s Legal Skills Center Helps Reform Legal Education in Liberia

The ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI), in cooperation with the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law at the University of Liberia, runs a legal skills center. The center is helping to improve legal education and to better prepare law students and recent graduates for their legal career. The center offers scholarships to third-year law students and coordinates the placement of scholarship graduates to work as field attorneys with partner government and non-governmental organizations during their first year of practice. In this podcast, Margaret Snoeren, ABA ROLI deputy country director, discusses the center’s establishment and impact. Listen to the 8-minute audio

 

ABA ROLI Assesses Legal Education in Ethiopia

The ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) implemented its Legal Education Reform Index (LERI) assessment tool in Ethiopia to evaluate the state of legal education in the country. This assessment—the first LERI ABA ROLI has performed in Africa—analyzes issues such as law school curricula, admissions policies, quality assurance, teaching methodologies, academic freedom and access to resources. Read more »»

 

ABA ROLI, Partner Organizations Strive to Reintegrate Former Child Soldiers in Burundi

Knowing nothing but war, many boys  growing up in Burundi during its civil conflict were raised to be soldiers. The future of these former child soldiers rests on their successful reintegration into society.  Their successful reintegration also helps keep Burundi from reverting back to civil conflicts. Read more »»

 

• ABA ROLI Assesses Liberia’s Aliens and Nationality Law

• Combating the Rape Crisis in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

• Video: Mediation Training in Liberia

• James A. A. Pierre Judicial Institute Graduates First Group of Liberian Trainers

• Nigerian Program Addressed Human Trafficking

• ABA ROLI Expands its Programming in the DRC

• Alternative Dispute Resolution Work Continues in Liberia

• Training for Judges and Magistrates Held in Liberia