matter relating to or affecting the Community that appears to it to
merit examination or upon investigating such a matter, he had failed
or refused to submit findings to the concerned Partner State to
respond thereto.
48. It was Counsel’s submission that judging from the Applicant’s
pleadings on record, there was nothing to prove that the 2nd
Respondent had failed/neglected his responsibilities under Articles
29(1) or 71(1)(d) of the Treaty. On the contrary, he invited this Court to
consider his positive stance and actions on the matters pertaining to
Mr. Rufyikiri. In this regard, he pointed out, as deponed in Mr. Charles
Njoroge’s Affidavit that appropriate steps were taken by way of
constituting a Task Force to investigate the alleged breach of Treaty
provisions by the Republic of Burundi way before the Applicant had
even filed the instant Reference. In addition, he averred that the 1st
Respondent was informed about the Team and dates were proposed for
a possible meeting to discuss, among other issues, the alleged breach
of the Treaty, although despite several reminders, the 1st Respondent
did
not
assent
to
any
proposed
schedule
in
order
to
start
investigations.
49. Moreover, it was submitted that this Court’s decision in the
Katabazi Case (supra) cannot be cited to fault the 2nd Respondent
because as indicated in his evidence, he, without being prompted but
upon his own consideration that the matters allegedly affecting Mr.
Rufyikiri merited examination within the meaning of Article 29 of the
Treaty, took immediate action.
50. In concluding his submissions, Counsel for the 2nd Respondent
contended that “the Reference does not disclose a cause of action
against the 2nd Respondent because there is no evidence to show
that Articles 29(1) and 71(1)(d) of the Treaty were infringed as
REFERENCE NO.1 OF 2014
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