Judicial systems in Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Zambia

The policy brief argues that the judicial systems of Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Zambia are hampered by a colonial legacy where the executive branch remained dominant over the judiciary and legislature. Despite the adoption of international human rights instruments and constitutional guarantees of fair trial and judicial independence, the executive continues to control the resources available to the judiciary, which undermines its ability to prevent impunity and ensure the rule of law.

• The judicial systems in Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Zambia were formed under British colonial rule, during which the separation of powers was ignored as administrative officers held both legislative and judicial authority. This legacy persists in the post-colonial era, where the executive branch remains the dominant organ of governance and controls the resources allocated to the judiciary and legislature, thereby compromising their independence and integrity.
• While African nations are signatories to international instruments such as the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, the UN Declaration on Human Rights, and the ICCPR—which guarantee rights like the presumption of innocence and fair trials—the judiciary's ability to enforce these rights and prevent impunity depends on its independence from executive and legislative influence and its access to adequate resources.

APA

Alemika, E. E. O. (n.d.). Judicial systems in Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Zambia. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.org/research/policy-brief/judicial-systems-in-sierra-leone-tanzania-and-zambia

Chicago

Alemika, Etannibi E O. Judicial systems in Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Zambia. Institute for Security Studies, n.d. https://issafrica.org/research/policy-brief/judicial-systems-in-sierra-leone-tanzania-and-zambia.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Alemika |first1=Etannibi E O |title=Judicial systems in Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Zambia |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |url=https://issafrica.org/research/policy-brief/judicial-systems-in-sierra-leone-tanzania-and-zambia |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{alemikandjudicial, author = {Alemika, Etannibi E O}, title = {{Judicial systems in Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Zambia}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, url = {https://issafrica.org/research/policy-brief/judicial-systems-in-sierra-leone-tanzania-and-zambia}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }