In his speech at the 19^th Session of the Executive Bureau of the Conference of Constitutional Jurisdictions of Africa (CJCA) held in Algeria, President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Türkiye, Mr. Kadir Özkaya stated: “As the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Türkiye, we attach great importance to our cooperation with the Conference of Constitutional Jurisdictions of Africa, of which we are an observer member. Continued engagement among our institutions will contribute to the advancement of constitutional justice and further enhance the effectiveness of the rule of law and human rights adjudication.”

At the meeting, hosted by the Constitutional Court of Algeria on 22 January 2026, President Özkaya was accompanied by Member of the Constitutional Court Prof. Dr. Ömer Çınar and Deputy Secretary General Dr. Mücahit Aydın. During the meeting, the 2025 activity and financial reports of the Conference were reviewed, along with the action plan and budget proposals for 2026. Participants also exchanged views on international meetings and activities planned for the forthcoming period.

In his speech, President Özkaya underlined that the CJCA fulfils a highly significant mission in the rising African continent by fostering cooperation among high courts. Emphasising the importance of experience-sharing among judicial institutions in the protection of human rights and the strengthening of the rule of law, President Özkaya noted that Turkish Constitutional Court attaches great importance to the activities of the Conference as an observer member and expressed that meeting with African colleagues constituted a truly exceptional experience for him.

Reiterating the importance attached by the Turkish Constitutional Court to cooperation with CJCA, President Özkaya stated: “I firmly believe that the relations we have established in a spirit of mutual understanding, trust and friendship will serve the interests of all parties. The contacts between our institutions will contribute to the development of constitutional justice and enhance the effectiveness of the rule of law and human rights adjudication.” President Özkaya further stressed that the sharing of case-law and practical experiences among constitutional courts makes a meaningful contribution to the advancement of constitutional and human rights adjudication.

Addressing global developments, President Kadir Özkaya noted: “It should not be forgotten that the shared future of humanity and lasting peace can only be achieved through upholding moral values and justice and ensuring their prevalence across the world. Therefore, we as jurists must stand together, in a spirit of mutual trust and guided by justice and moral values, to strive for upholding the rule of law. We must endeavour to foster a legal culture that embraces a human-centred understanding of the rule of law, maintaining the delicate balance between security and fundamental rights and freedoms.”

Pointing out that the African continent holds a pivotal position in the establishment of a peace order founded on justice, President Özkaya reaffirmed that the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Türkiye greatly values strengthening cooperation with its African counterparts and stands ready to provide all necessary support to the activities of the Conference, as well as to further develop bilateral relations.

President Özkaya also expressed that the 19^th Session provided him with an opportunity to closely observe the scope of the Conference’s activities, highlighting in particular the value of initiatives directed towards young women and children and underscoring the importance of mutual experience-sharing in this context.

By concluding his remarks, President Özkaya expressed his appreciation to the Constitutional Court of Algeria for the organisation of the meeting and conveyed his best wishes for success to the Constitutional Court of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which will host the 8^th Congress of the Conference, as well as to the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Angola, which will organise the African Forum for Young Women and Children.

As part of his visit, President Özkaya also held a bilateral meeting with President of the Constitutional Court of Algeria, Ms. Leila Aslaoui, exchanging views on cooperation and experience-sharing in the field of constitutional justice.

President Özkaya and the accompanying delegation also paid a courtesy visit to Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Algeria, Mr. Muhammet Mücahit Küçükyılmaz.