Justice Paula da Conceição Machatine Honwana took the oath today as a Judge of the Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone (RSCSL). The swearing-in preceded the opening of the Plenary of Judges and saw Justice Machatine Honwana making a solemn declaration before RSCSL Vice President Justice Emmanuel E. Roberts.
In her commitment, she vowed “without fear or favour, affection or ill-will, to serve as a Judge of the Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone honestly, faithfully, impartially, and conscientiously.” The ceremony included the subscription to the solemn declaration before Justice Pierre Boutet, witnessed by representatives from both parties to the RSCSL Agreement.
Stephen Mathias, Assistant Secretary-General for Legal Affairs, represented the Secretary-General of the United Nations, while Mohamed Lamin Tarawally, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, represented the Government of Sierra Leone as witnesses to the declaration.
Justice Machatine Honwana’s appointment comes as she succeeds the late Justice Elizabeth Ibanda-Nahamya, who passed away in January 2023. According to the RSCSL Statute, a roster of 16 Judges is maintained, with ten appointed by the UN Secretary-General and the remaining six by the Government of Sierra Leone. While Judges on the roster receive no compensation, they are paid on a pro-rata basis when called upon to serve the Court.
Prior to joining the RSCSL, Justice Machatine Honwana served as a Judge of the Superior Court of Appeals in Mozambique from 2011-2014 and again from 2020-2022. Additionally, she held the position of Legal Adviser to the President of the Supreme Court of Mozambique from 2014 to 2020. With a judicial career in Mozambique since 1998, she served in various capacities, including the Secretary-General of the Superior Council of the Judiciary from 2001-2011.
Apart from her judicial roles, Justice Machatine Honwana has contributed significantly to legal education, teaching law at the Higher Institute of Sciences and Technology of Mozambique (ISCTEM) and the Centre of Judicial and Judiciary Training in Maputo. She co-authored a handbook on wildlife crime for judges in 2022 and has authored numerous articles and academic papers.
Having earned degrees in Law from the University of Lisbon in Portugal, a Master’s degree in Public and International Law from the University of Melbourne in Australia in 2017, and a Postgraduate degree in International Contract Law from Eduardo Mondlane University in Mozambique in 2021, Justice Machatine Honwana brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role at the RSCSL.
The Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone, responsible for ongoing legal obligations post the Special Court’s conclusion in December 2013, includes tasks such as the supervision of prison sentences, witness protection and support, preservation of archives, and assistance to national prosecution authorities. Congratulations have been extended to Justice Paula da Conceição Machatine Honwana on assuming this significant position in the pursuit of justice.
