This preparatory meeting aimed to review additional texts provided for by the revised treaty relating to the institutional reform of the ECCAS on one hand, and to ensure the legal conformity of the texts submitted by the various specialized sectoral committees, on the other hand.

In total, nine member states out of the eleven that make up this organization took part in this activity, notably the DRC, represented by its Minister of State in charge of Justice and Keeper of the Seals, Rose Mutombo.

The STC began by setting up its office where the position of rapporteur was unanimously entrusted to the Congolese Minister of State, Rose Mutombo Kiese. Several recommendations were made after an in-depth examination of the experts' report. These included, among others, further reflection on the creation of an arbitration center or a dispute resolution mechanism through alternative modes (arbitration, mediation, and conciliation) by a separate additional protocol. It was also about determining the competencies of the Court, especially in criminal matters, in order to ensure compliance with the provisions of the revised treaty.

Furthermore, the draft internal regulations of the Commission were submitted for review while the revised convention on the privileges and immunities of the ECCAS was validated without reservation.

It is appropriate to note that the Council of Ministers took good note of the advocacy conducted by Rose Mutombo on behalf of the Congolese government for the establishment in Kinshasa of the headquarters of the Community Court of Justice of the ECCAS.

Gisèle Tshijuka