At the invitation of the National Chamber of Judicial Officers of the Central African Republic, a delegation from the International Union of Judicial Officers (UIHJ), led by President Marc SCHMITZ and Vice-President Jean Didier BIDIE, carried out a mission to Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, from 14 to 19 April 2025. The purpose of this visit was to assist the young national chamber facing various challenges and to promote the profession of judicial officer in this Central African country
The agenda for this mission included several key activities: meetings with political, administrative and judicial authorities, a press conference, and a gathering with Central African colleagues.
I. MEETINGS WITH AUTHORITIES
The UIHJ delegation held in-depth discussions with a number of high-level personalities, including:
– His Excellency Mr. Arnaud DJOUBAYE ABAZENE, State Minister, Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals;
– Mr. Jean Pierre YABOE, President of the Constitutional Council;
– Mr. Alain SAÏD PANGUINDJI, President of the Council of State;
– Mr. Sylvestre OTTO, President of the Court of Auditors;
– Mr. Flammarion GOBA, Attorney General at the Court of Cassation, accompanied by Mr. Gilbert Christ BAKELA WASSIALO, First Advisor at the Civil and Commercial Chamber of the Court of Cassation;
– Magistrates of the Bangui Court of Appeal, led by Mr. Marcel KOUI, President of the Social Chamber, representing the absent Chief Justice.
During each of these meetings, the UIHJ President gave a concise overview of the Union’s history, missions and activities around the world, particularly in Africa. Discussions focused on the role of judicial officers within the judiciary, obstacles to the enforcement of court decisions, the protection of the profession, and its essential contribution to the proper administration of justice.
The talks were described as constructive. The State Minister for Justice committed to swiftly passing the law on the status of judicial officers and accelerating the appointment of candidates awaiting admission into the profession.
The President of the Constitutional Council expressed his intention to use judicial officers in the area of evidence gathering during electoral operations.
The Attorney General and other magistrates acknowledged a clearer understanding of the role and position of judicial officers within the justice system.
II. PRESS CONFERENCE
A press conference was held, preceded by a presentation by Mr. Adrien YANDANOU, lawyer at the Bangui Bar, on the theme:
“Enforcement of Court Decisions under OHADA Law.”
Following the presentation, the UIHJ President, Vice-President, and the President of the Central African National Chamber of Judicial Officers answered questions from accredited journalists of the Central African Republic’s written and audiovisual press.
The Q&A session highlighted the positive outcomes of the UIHJ’s visit, the support offered to the CNHJ, challenges to enforcement of judicial decisions, and the role and missions of the judicial officer.
Clear and convincing responses were provided by the three panelists, to the satisfaction of attending journalists.
III. MEETING WITH CENTRAL AFRICAN JUDICIAL OFFICERS
The UIHJ delegation also met with Central African colleagues in the deliberation chamber of the Court of Cassation.
The President and Vice-President of the UIHJ first listened attentively to the concerns and grievances expressed by the local judicial officers. This was followed by an open and educational exchange on ethics, the missions of the national chamber — the sole representative body for judicial officers in the country — and a vision for the future of the profession.
They emphasized that the profession of judicial officer in the Central African Republic will become what its own practitioners wish it to be: independent, ethical, and respected.
To encourage this dynamic, the delegation urged their colleagues to strive for excellence, uphold professional ethics, and affirm their independence in the exercise of their duties.
The Central African judicial officers expressed the wish for their country to host a Ufohja training session in 2026 — a proposal the delegation readily accepted.
CONCLUSION
At the end of their mission, the UIHJ delegation left Bangui with the sense of a duty fulfilled, strengthened by the words of appreciation from local colleagues and the country’s judicial authorities.
