Gambiaj.com – (Kigali, Rwanda) – President Paul Kagame on Tuesday, May 20, hosted the Chief Justice of The Gambia, Hassan Bubacar Jallow, and his delegation at Urugwiro Village as part of a study tour aimed at fostering judicial cooperation between the two nations.

The high-level meeting emphasized a shared commitment to enhancing bilateral ties in the judiciary sector, focusing on improving the delivery of timely and quality justice for citizens in both countries.

According to the Rwandan Presidency, President Kagame and Chief Justice Jallow held extensive discussions on strengthening collaboration between their respective judicial systems. The visit comes as part of The Gambia’s efforts to modernize its judiciary through a five-year strategic development plan.

Earlier on Monday, Chief Justice Jallow met with his Rwandan counterpart, Domitilla Mukantaganzwa, where they agreed to deepen institutional partnerships. Key areas discussed included the development of electronic case management systems, the creation of specialized courts such as commercial courts, and the broader integration of technology in judicial processes.

“We are currently implementing a five-year strategic plan for the development of our judiciary, focusing on electronic case management, integrated case handling across law enforcement, and the establishment of specialized courts,” said Jallow during the discussions.

The visit holds particular significance given Jallow’s long-standing connection to Rwanda. He served as the Chief Prosecutor at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), based in Arusha, Tanzania. Under his leadership, the tribunal secured numerous convictions against those responsible for the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.

Chief Justice Jallow lauded Rwanda’s judicial reforms and technological advancements, noting that they offer valuable lessons for The Gambia as it seeks to strengthen rule of law and judicial efficiency.

The ICTR, where Jallow served for several years, was dissolved in 2015 and succeeded by the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, which continues to oversee remaining functions related to the Rwandan Genocide and the conflict in the former Yugoslavia.

Jallow’s visit marks a deepening of South-South cooperation in justice reform, with both Rwanda and The Gambia committed to building resilient and accessible judicial systems.

The Gambian delegation’s study tour is expected to continue with further engagements focused on institutional capacity building and knowledge exchange.