Students Winnie Songok, Sandra Bucha and Cindy Wakio scooped the winner’s trophy at the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Pan African Moot Court Competition that was held in Arusha, Tanzania on 22^nd November 2014. The competition that was hosted by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), is a regional law competition targeting students’ knowledge in IHL. This win grants Strathmore Law School (SLS) bragging rights as the best in IHL across the continent.  The triumph is made more special by the fact that, it is the first time SLS has participated in this competition.

 

A moot court competition entails simulation of real-life court proceedings by law students. The IHL Competition required students to conduct role plays in the context of armed conflict. SLS qualified for the Pan-African Rounds after emerging second in the national rounds which took place on 25^th October 2014.  Several universities from all across Africa were also represented at the competition. They included; University of Abuja, Makerere University, University of Johannesburg, University of Zimbabwe and Moi University.

 

In the final round, the competitors were privileged to moot/make their submissions before the President of International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, Vagn Joensen and the President for the African Court on Human and Peoples Rights, Justice Augustino S.L. Ramadhani.

As none of the participants had undertaken IHL as a course unit in class, the SLS Graduate Assistants and Moot Court Coordinators Ms. Emma Senge and Mr. Harrison Otieno took time to take the students through an expeditious class on IHL.  “That the team was able to conceptualize and synthesize the information we gave them in so short a space of time is what created the winning formula” said Emma. In addition, Winnie, Sandra and Cindy had excellent team work among themselves.

 

“What impressed us with the three girls is that each of them, though unique in her own way was able to contribute to the team effectively; Winnie, in third year and the oldest and the more experienced, provided the requisite fountain of knowledge. Cindy who is in her first year, brought the natural talent she possessed that makes her a good mooter. Lastly, Sandra who is also in first year brought her charm which enabled her to sell the conversation to the judges.  They cooperated so well and tapped into each other’s strength and potential in that where one would fail, she would let the others take the lead,” added Emma.

 

Felicitations to the winners.