A ranking member of the Liberian delegation to the Federation of African Law Students (FALAS) 2022 Annual Conference, Siaffa Bahn Kemokai, II, has been elected President during the organization’s 2022 Assembly, attended by over 100 delegates from various African universities and law faculties in Johannesburg, South Africa, from October 3–5, 2022.
Kemokai, a student leader and senior student at the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, received the majority of votes in the Federation’s presidential election held recently to define the trajectory of the organization.
Meanwhile, delegates from other African countries were also elected to the leadership of the Federation. A Zimbabwean delegate was elected Vice President, followed by a Ugandan delegate as Secretary General, a Nigerian delegate was elected Deputy Secretary, and a South African delegate as Director for Information and Protocols, and a Liberian, Ophelia Gotoe, as Deputy Secretary for Finance, among others.
Speaking after his stunning victory, Kemokai, who is the first Liberian to be elected President of the continental student body, expressed gratitude and appreciation to the delegates for placing their trust in him to lead the largest association of African law students, and vowed to fulfil his obligations with diligence. In addition, he declared that his leadership would inject new dynamism, unleash creative ideas and the potential of members, and address issues of social justice. He encouraged the defeated candidates to work with the elected officials for the success of the organization.
The president-elect vowed to unite the organization, stating that reconciliation would be his “priority-in-chief”. He also pledged to be a president for all, with an emphasis on delivering for the organization and removing obstacles to justice. He underscored a shared African approach to law and justice, noting that, on the fundamental questions of gender equality, funding of terrorism, corruption and human rights, countries on the Continent must follow a unified approach relevant to the African reality, as these challenges impact the Continent in the same way, albeit with small variations.
For his part, the Dean of the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, Dr. Jallah Allen Barbu, along with Atty. Kebeh S. Freeman Saryon, escorted the Liberian delegation, led by the President of the Law Student Association, Williamina Gbardee Elious Budy.
Dr. Barbu used the occasion to supervise the Moot Team through the Coach, Atty. Saryon. Unfortunately, the Moot competition could not take place as planned due to the 100th anniversary celebration of Wits University, the host institution.
In a related development, the Dean of the Law School paid a courtesy call on the University of South Africa in Pretoria to build academic relations between the University of Liberia’s Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law and the University of South Africa. Both universities agreed to foster strong ties and cooperation. A formal memorandum of understanding (MOU) is expected to be signed very soon to cement the relationship , which will lead to academic exchange at both the student and faculty levels.
This year the Federation of African Law Students’ Annual Conference 2022 was held from October 3—5, 2022 at the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. It was held under the theme, “Challenging the Status Quo in Africa; Changing Legal Perspectives for a Sustainable Legal Future”.
The Federation is the unifying body of all law students in Africa. It is recognized by the African Bar Association (AfBA) and various international associations and organizations. It is currently present in over thirty-two (32) African countries and has the unique mission of building a united network of African law students who are equipped with exposure and knowledge.
The annual conference is an avenue of exposure and awareness for African Law Students aimed at strengthening the network of law students across the African continent.
The Organization was founded with the purpose of bringing together law students to solve common difficulties, exchange views on jurisprudential practices in diverse African nations and promote a pan-African approach to jurisprudence.