Objectives of the Summer Academy
The objective of this two-week Summer Academy on African Union Law and the Public Law of Africa is to provide the participants with a better knowledge of the history, content and specificities of this normative system. It aims to provide a deeper understanding of the collective practices and attitudes of African States towards international law.

The course will consist of lectures delivered by leading African scholars, judges and practitioners of international law and African Union Law. The lectures will analyse various legal instruments which derive from and aim at developing the principles upheld by the African Union and its predecessor, the Organisation of African Unity. Altogether, the lectures will offer a concise and clear picture of the normative system devised to realize the objectives of these Pan-African organizations, which reflect the innermost aspirations of African peoples.

The Course is also intended to foster a better understanding of the origins, principles and objectives, structure, organs, and scope of operation of the African Union and African Regional Economic Communities (RECs).

In contrast to the OAU Charter, the Constitutive Act of the African Union establishes a new set of principles. Indeed, in addition to the right of intervention of the AU in a member State, without its consent, to prevent war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity, the Constitutive Act contains a number of principles which might be considered ground-breaking in the context of the evolution of “African international law”. Thus, it provides for: the right of Member States to request intervention from the Union in order to restore peace and security, the promotion of gender equality, respect for democratic principles, human rights, the rule of law and good governance, respect for the sanctity of human life, condemnation and rejection of impunity and political assassination, acts of terrorism and subversive activities, and enunciates the condemnation and rejection by the AU of unconstitutional changes of government.

The programme of the 2025 Session of the Summer Academy, includes the following courses

Panafricanism and the Public Law of Africa
Opening Lecture by Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf, Judge and former President of the International Court of Justice.

Legal Aspects of the Peace and Security Architecture of the African Union
Dire Tladi, Judge at the International Court of Justice, former Member of the International Law Commission.

The Legal Framework for the Protection of Human and Peoples’ Rights
Mutoy Mubiala, Professor of International Law, University of Kinshasa, former Human Rights Officer in the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The Law and Institutions of the African Union
Vincent Nmehielle, Secretary-General of the African Development Bank, former Legal Counsel of the African Union.

The African Legal Instruments on Environment Protection and Climate
Hajer Gueldich, African Union Legal Counsel, Member and former President of the African Union Commission on International Law.

Legal Implications of the Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
Melaku Geboye Desta, Coordinator, Africa Trade Policy Centre, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa; and Joy Kategekwa, Director of the Reginal Integration Coordination Office at the African Development Bank

The AfCFTA Protocol on Investments and its Role in the Promotion and Protection of Investments in Africa
Funke Adekoya, Independent arbitrator and litigation consultant at Funke Adekoya Arbitration Practice, former Partner and Head of the Dispute Resolution practice group at ǼLEX.

Audience

The Summer Academy on African Union and the Public Law of Africa is aimed at a large audience including students, scholars, private practitioners, government officials, diplomats, policymakers, judges and legislators.

Faculty

The lecturers are prominent African international lawyers, and specialists of African Union Law, the public law of Africa and the law of international organizations and sub-regional African organizations.

Certificate of Participation

Participants who will have regularly attended the Summer Course will receive a Certificate of Attendance at the end of the session.

Tuition Fees

USD 900 for the two-week Summer Academy (excluding accommodation). Payment must be made upon receipt (by e-mail) of a letter of pre-admission and an invoice payable pursuant to instructions contained in the invoice.
A very limited number of merit-based scholarships will be available, upon request, for students from African Least Developed Countries

Registration
All applicants are required to register online using the registration form available on the Institute website. Registration will be accepted until 10 July 2025 at 23.59 (Arusha Time, GMT + 3).
Normal Fees (from 1 May to 30 June 2025): US$ 900.
Early-Bird Fees (before 30 April 2025): US$ 800.
Last-Minute Fees (after 10 July 2025): US$ 950.
If an organization sends more than one participant, additional participants get a 10% (15% if more than five) discount.

Contact
Program Director
Professor Mathias Sahinkuye
gsmathias13@gmail.com
programs@aiil-iadi.org
Whatsapp: +255 710 732 590

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