Building the Rule of Law: Francis Nyalali and the Road to Judicial Independence in Africa

"[I]ndependence of the judiciary, impartiality of adjudication, fairness of trial, and integrity of the adjudicator are so universally accepted that one may reasonably conclude that these principles are inherent to any justice system in a democracy…there is no doubt that these same principles are part of the African dream."—Francis Nyalali, Chief Justice of Tanzania, 1976–1999
A new order is being forged in Africa. States across the continent are working, fighting, and negotiating in an effort to construct liberal societies and effective government. Organized around the life of Francis L. Nyalali, who served as Chief Justice of Tanzania from 1976 through 1999, Building the Rule of Law shows how judges negotiate new institutional relationships. Through the trials and disappointments of Frances Nyalali, we learn the intricate difficulty of erecting an independent judicial system. But in his success and the success of his homeland, we see the crucial role of justice in an effective democracy.