By: Thaimu Bai Sesay
The Residual Special Court of Sierra Leone (RSCSL) announced on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, that Justice Paula da Conceicao Machantine Honwana had been sworn in as a Judge of the Residual Special Court of Sierra Leone, succeeding the late Justice Elizabeth Ibanda-Nahamya who passed away in January 2023.
Justice Machantine Honwana made her solemn declaration in a ceremony held in Freetown prior to the opening of the Plenary of Judges before RSCSL Vice President Justice Emmanuel E. Roberts. In her declaration, she pledged to serve as a Judge of the Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone honestly, faithfully, impartially, and conscientiously.
The solemn declaration was subscribed to before Justice Pierre Boutet and witnessed by representatives from both parties to the RSCSL Agreement. Stephen Mathias, Assistant Secretary-General for Legal Affairs, witnessed on behalf of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, while Mohamed Lamin Tarawally, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, witnessed on behalf of the Government of Sierra Leone.
According to the RSCSL, the appointment of Judge Machantine Honwana aligns with the provisions of the RSCSL Statue, which stipulates a roster of 16 Judges, with ten appointed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the remaining six by the Government of Sierra Leone. The Judges receive compensation on a ‘pro rata’ basis if called upon to serve the Court.
Judge Machantine Honwana brings a wealth of professional experience to her new role. She previously served as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Appeals in Mozambique and as an Adviser to the President of the Supreme Court of Mozambique from 2011 to 2022. Additionally, she has held various positions in the Mozambican judiciary and academia, including teaching law at the Higher Institute of Sciences and Technology of Mozambique and the Centre of Judiciary and Judiciary training in Maputo, Mozambique.
Furthermore, Judge Machantine Honwana has contributed significantly to legal scholarship, co-authoring a book on wildlife crime and publishing numerous articles and academic papers. She holds a Degree Graduate “Licenciatura” in Law from the Faculty of Law at the University of Lisbon in Portugal, a Master’s degree in Public and International Law from the University of Melbourne in Australia, and a Postgraduate degree in International Contract Law from Eduardo Mondlane University in Mozambique.
The Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone continues to fulfill its responsibilities following the conclusion of the mandate of the Special Court for Sierra Leone in December 2013. These duties include supervising prison sentences, providing witness protection and support, maintaining and preserving archives, and assisting national prosecution authorities.
