Interpretation of The East African Community Treaty: An Appraisal of Recent Decisions

As the judicial organ of the East African Community, the East African Court of Justice has as its primary function the interpretation and application of the 1999 Treaty that established the Community. From 2006 to 2008, the Court has rendered decisions on various matters touching on provisions of the Treaty that have called for interpretation. The Court has underscored its primacy in the interpretation of the Treaty and generally deferred to the principles of treaty interpretation under the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties.