President of Republic: “We Will Take Into Account Results of the States General of Justice To Consolidate a Professional, Fair, and Equitable Judicial System”

His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, the President of the Republic, affirmed his determination to take into account the results of the States General of Justice, which began on 5 January in Nouakchott, in his efforts to continuously develop our judicial apparatus with the aim of anchoring a professional, fair, and equitable judicial system; a system that enshrines the rule of law, guarantees rights and freedoms, and is a source of comfort for all, both at home and abroad.

Here is the full text of the speech of the President of the Republic at the opening of the States General of Justice:

Mr. Prime Minister;

Mr. President of the Constitutional Council;

Mr. Leader of the Democratic Opposition;

Ministers, ladies, and gentlemen;

Gentlemen Magistrates;

Gentlemen lawyers;

Ladies and gentlemen workers in the justice sector;

Honorable guests;

Peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you;

By its very nature, human action is not without flaws and shortcomings, which often require regular critical examination;

examination which is the gateway to progress and the emancipation of societies. It is, also, the basis of the continuous search for what is more complete and more refined than what already existed.

The urgency of this need for revision is often as important at the same level as considerable work in the life of societies and peoples.

Nothing is more influential and centralized in the life of the individual and of society than legal action.

This is due to the fact that it is to it that the task of applying justice is entrusted. It represents, in this respect, the pillar of the pursuit of the social contract, the pillar of social peace, just as it is the basis of national unity and social cohesion.

It rules on disputes, allows the exercise of rights, establishes the principle of the equality of citizens before the law and protects their dignity, rights, and freedoms.It is with legal action, too, that the rule of law, good governance, democracy, and human rights are enshrined.

This is in addition to its leading role in monitoring and regularizing transactions and contracts, and in stimulating economic activity by inspiring confidence among investors and development partners.

In order for the judiciary to be able to perform these formidable and noble tasks properly, it must be professional, with the required diversification of specialization, continuous trainin,  and continuous improvement of expertise, and at the same time

an independent and impartial judiciary, accessible and quick to decide cases, however without haste.

Aware of this, we have made great efforts to strengthen the independence of the judiciary by consolidating the principle of the separation of powers, improving the working conditions of judges, reforming their legal status, and reorganizing their careers so thatthey can perform their duties properly.

On the basis of what has been mentioned above about the need for all human action to be regularly critically examined – especially as its role increases -, concerned with supporting our judicial system in its professionalism and efficiency,

we gave the orientations for the organization of the States General of Justice whose opening we are supervising today.

 

The objectives of these Sstates General are to enable players in the justice sector to diagnose the situation of the judicial system, discuss its main challenges, and study major issues, such as training, specialization,protection of the rights of litigants, facilitation of access to judicial services, etc.

We expect these States General to lead to the development of a roadmap in the form of a national document on the reform and development of justice, as well as to translate it into a detailed action program, accompanied by specific implementation deadlines and clear monitoring indicators.

As we announce, with the grace of Allah, the opening of the States General of Justice, we affirm our determination to take into account their results in our efforts to continually develop our judicial system in thepurpose of anchoring a professional, fair, and equitable legal system;a system that enshrines the rule of law, guarantees rights and freedoms, and is a source of comfort for all, both at home and abroad.

We Essalamou Aleykoum We Rahmetoullah We Berakatouhou.