I am honored to have been appointed as Chairman of the Alternate Dispute Resolution Committee (ADRC) by the Chairman of the Africa Federation Amine bhai Nassor on 12th November 2024. This appointment was officially communicated through the Secretariat's circular on 15th November 2024.
ADR encompasses various methods for resolving disputes without the need for a formal trial. Common ADR processes include Mediation and Arbitration. It is essential that all parties involved in a dispute agree to use ADR as the preferred method of resolution.
ADR is becoming increasingly prevalent in many jurisdictions, including Kenya, where it is supported under Section 159 of the Constitution. The practice is growing successfully, offering an alternative to traditional litigation.
The leadership of the Africa Federation has taken a proactive step by introducing ADR within our organization. This initiative will allow us to address and resolve disputes within our members, Jamaat, and related institutions through ADR methods.
My role is to set up the committee and create a functional structure that will allow ADR to be effectively operational within our community.
As part of this initiative, I intend to establish a working committee of no more than five members who will help me to handle the administrative aspects of the ADRC. I invite any member from the Africa Federation's constituent Jamaats to submit their CV, along with a brief summary of their experience in the field of dispute resolution. This will allow me to form a strong team and achieve the objectives of the ADR Committee.
Panelists as Arbitrators/Mediators
In addition to the committee members, I am also looking for professionals or individuals with relevant experience in Arbitration and Mediation to serve as panelists. These individuals will be appointed to handle disputes, depending on the nature of the issue.
If you are interested in being considered for appointment as an Arbitrator or Mediator, please send your CV to me by email at adrc@africafederation.org no later than 31st December 2024. The email is dedicated solely to matters related to the ADR Committee.
Once the committee and panelists are appointed, further directions will be provided.
In the interim, I will engage with the Chairpersons of all Jamaats within the Africa Federation to better understand their current dispute resolution systems. This will help ensure that we work toward a unified approach to resolving disputes, should they arise.
I expect to have the committee in place by the end of January 2025. This is a significant milestone, as it marks the first time in the history of the Africa Federation since its founding in 1946 that such a committee has been established.
I welcome your comments, suggestions, and input as we move forward with this important initiative. Together, we can work towards creating a successful and effective ADR system within our community.
Chairman – Alternate Dispute Resolution Committee
