Mr. Siaffa Bahn Kemokai, II, a ranking member of the Liberian delegation to the Federation of African Law Students (FALAS) 2022 Annual Conference, has been elected President during the 2022 Assembly. The Assembly was attended by over 100 delegates from various African Universities and Law Faculties in Johannesburg, South Africa from October 3–5, 2022.
Mr. Kemokai, a seasoned student leader and senior student at the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, received the majority of votes in the Federation’s presidential election, in an election that is going 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 as Deputy Secretary, and a South African delegate as Director for Information and Protocols, and another Liberian delegate, Aunt Ophelia Gotoe, as Deputy Secretary for Finance, among others.
Speaking after his victory, Kemokai, who became the first Liberian elected as 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.
He told his colleagues that his leadership would inject new dynamism, unleash creative ideas and the potential of members, and address issues of social justice. He encouraged his opponent during the race to work along with him for the success of the organization.
In addition to that, the President-elect vowed to unite the organization, stating that reconciliation would be among his priorities. He also pledged to be a leader for all, with an emphasis on delivering for the organization and removing obstacles to justice. In emphasizing a shared African approach to law and justice, Kemokai says 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 Students’ Association, Mrs. Williamina Gbardee Elious Budy. Dr. Barbu used the occasion to supervise the Moot Team through the Coach Atty. Saryon. Unfortunately, the Moot competition couldn’t take place as planned due to the 100th anniversary celebrations of Wits University, the host institution.
However, 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 relationships, 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 3rd to 5th October 2022 at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. Its theme was “Challenging the Status Quo in Africa; Changing Legal Perspectives for a Sustainable Legal Future”. Suffice it to mean that there is a need to rebuild and re-strategize in an ever-changing globalized world for a sustainable legal future. This conference seeks to go beyond conventional legal approaches to sustainability and to provide fresh insights into some of the most critical global challenges of our time such as climate change, environmental degradation, terrorist financing, and inequalities. It is therefore imperative to provide several avenues to test the efficacy of the law towards 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 32 African countries and has the unique mission of building a united network of African law students who are equipped with exposure and knowledge.
FALAS takes into account Aspiration 5 of Agenda 2063 of the African Union, which envisions an Africa with a strong cultural identity, common heritage, shared values and ethics. Thus, 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. In matters of social justice, international law, peace, and regional integration, the organization has been active and continues to play a prominent role. Overall, FALAS has been a vital partner in numerous initiatives on the Continent that have cross-cutting implications for the law, youth, and governance.
