On February 26, 2025, ESS Creative & Legal Foundation had the privilege of hosting an official visit from Hon. Mohamed Burhani, a Senior Resident Magistrate at the District Court of ILALA at Kinyerezi. He was accompanied by court clerk Saumu Mohamed. This visit marked an important milestone in our ongoing efforts to strengthen collaborations within the Tanzanian judicial system and expand our reach in promoting inclusive mediation services.
Strengthening Judicial Partnerships
Currently, ESS Creative & Legal Foundation collaborates closely with the High Court Mediation Centre to enhance the accessibility of mediation mechanisms. However, expanding our collaboration to district courts represents a crucial step in ensuring that mediation services reach more individuals, including those with disabilities and other marginalized communities.
Hon. Mohamed Burhani, a seasoned expert in mediation and a respected judicial leader, expressed keen interest in our mission to make mediation services more inclusive. He acknowledged the significance of our work in ensuring that individuals with disabilities, particularly the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing community, have access to effective conflict resolution mechanisms.
Key Outcomes of the Visit
During the discussions, Hon. Mohamed Burhani shared valuable insights and recommendations to further strengthen our work. Key takeaways from the visit include:
- Capacity Building Support: He expressed interest in supporting our initiative through training and capacity-building programs.
- Referral Mechanisms: He highlighted the possibility of the district courts referring cases that are suitable for mediation to ESS, thus increasing access to ADR for more Tanzanians.
- International Expansion: Drawing from his experience, Hon. Burhani suggested tools and strategies that can help ESS extend its mediation training and impact beyond Tanzania.
- Judiciary Communication Channels: He provided guidance on the appropriate channels within the judiciary to facilitate ongoing and future collaborations with various judicial levels.
The Way Forward
This visit reinforced our commitment to bridging the gap between the judicial system and community-based mediation services. The potential collaboration with the District Court of ILALA at Kinyerezi will not only enhance the visibility of our work but also ensure that more individuals benefit from accessible and inclusive mediation services.
We look forward to continued engagements with judicial leaders and stakeholders as we push forward our mission of making mediation a more inclusive and effective tool for resolving disputes in Tanzania and beyond.
