Swearing-in ceremony of new magistrates: Judicial authorities call for integrity, competence, and a sense of duty

Fifteen new magistrates were officially sworn in on Monday during a solemn ceremony held before the Dakar Court of Appeal. This new group of magistrates strengthens the Senegalese judiciary at a time marked by growing public expectations of the justice system.

On this occasion, the President of the Bar Association, Aly Fall, who participated in the ceremony, reminded the new judges of the ethical requirements that will now govern their duties. "You will henceforth be bound by professional secrecy as well as the essential principles of dignity and loyalty," he declared. He reminded them that they are embarking on "a fascinating profession" that requires serving the public interest rather than private interests, while embodying demanding ethical values. The President of the Bar Association noted that throughout his career, he had worked alongside judges who were "competent, independent, principled, humble, and humane," for whom dispensing justice was a true duty. He encouraged the newcomers to draw inspiration from these role models.

He also stressed the need for collaboration between the various actors in the judicial system. "Your daily practice will show you that, for quality justice to be delivered, you will be in constant interaction with lawyers, bailiffs, litigants and other stakeholders, to whom you owe respect in order to be respected in turn," he emphasized.

In his address, the Attorney General at the Dakar Court of Appeal, Mbacké Fall, reiterated the fundamental principles of the magistracy. He emphasized the three main missions incumbent upon them: to prosecute, to investigate, and to judge. "These functions demand specific qualities and entail significant restrictions on the exercise of your freedoms. You must cultivate competence, not only in the legal sense, but also through mastery of knowledge in increasingly specialized areas of law," he stated. The Attorney General also urged the new magistrates to demonstrate integrity and impartiality, asserting that these qualities, directly linked to the oath they had just taken, are essential to strengthening public trust in the judicial system.

Referring to the training received at the Judicial Training Centre (CFJ), he recalled that the teachings in ethics and professional conduct had paved the way for them, before inviting them to put these principles into practice throughout their careers.

He finally emphasized the obligation of discretion, which he described as the main limitation on the freedom of expression of judges. "You must observe this discretion at all times and in all places," he stated.

In his speech, the first president of the Dakar Court of Appeal, Abdoulaye Ba, for his part, urged the new magistrates to fully appreciate the scope of their commitment.

"The Senegalese people now expect you not to be brilliant magistrates, but fair magistrates," he said, stressing the values of independence, impartiality, probity, courage and humility that should guide any judicial career.

Addressing the challenges facing modern justice, particularly the rise of digital technology and artificial intelligence, he urged the new judges to continue their professional development throughout their careers. "Judges who stop learning gradually risk losing their understanding of the world they are called upon to regulate," he warned.

In conclusion, he urged them to "always let law prevail over passions, reason over prejudices and the general interest over particular interests", in order to preserve citizens' confidence in justice.