Mr Abdikarin Yusuf | Bosaso, Somalia
LLB in Somali National University- Somalia
Previous experience
Judge at the First Instance Court of Bosaso District, Bari Region, Somalia ( October 2023–Present)
Regional Prosecutor of Sanag Region, Somalia (May 2023–September 2023).
Academic fields of interest:
Human Rights
Position prior to the programme
Judge
Ms Josephine Yisa | Farim, Oio Region, Guinea-Bissau
LL.B, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
Previous experience
Interned with the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights for a year under the mandate of the Working Group on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
Academic fields of interest:
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; International Humanitarian Law; and Space Law
Position prior to the programme
Intern at the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights
Mr Tesfamhret Teklesenbet Haile | Robto, Eritrea
Master of Jurisprudence in Rule of Law for Development (MJ), Loyola University Chicago, United States of America; Comparative Constitutional Law (LL.M), Central European University, Australia; Transnational Crimes and Justice (LL.M), University for Peace, Costa Rica; and Political Science (BA), University of Asmara, Eritrea
Previous experience
I have both academic and non-academic professional experiences. In Eritrea, I worked as Research Assistant (Research and Documentation Center) and Graduate Assistant, Department of Political Sciences and International Relations, College of Arts and Social Sciences. Before joining the HRDA program, I was a Legal and Advocacy Officer, Pan-African Lawyers Union (PALU). I also did internship with the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights and the UN International Residual Mechanisms for Criminal Tribunals (International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda).
Academic fields of interest:
My field of interest, among others, are international human rights law, international humanitarian law, international criminal law, transnational crimes, rule of law, and comparative constitutional law
Position prior to the programme
Legal and Advocacy Officer, Pan-African Lawyers Union (PALU).
Adv Dorcas Werson | Western Equatoria State, South Sudan
Bachelor of Laws from the University of Juba
Previous experience
Dorcas Werson worked as a Legal and Information Officer at the International Rescue Committee) (2022–2025), where she conducted legal case management in collaboration with relevant authorities. Led legal rights training for chiefs and community members in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps. She also worked as an Advocate & Legal Consultant at the Fidelity Law Chambers (2018–2022), where she provided legal representation and consultancy on various human rights and legal matters. Dorcas Worked as an Advocacy Officer at The Advocate for Human Rights and Democracy (2018–2020), where she focused on human rights advocacy and policy engagement in South Sudan. Finally, she worked as a Liaison Officer for The Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangement Monitoring Mechanism (2016–2018) where she facilitated communication between stakeholders, government offices, and armed forces regarding conflict resolution in South Sudan.
Academic fields of interest:
Women's rights and Children's rights
Position prior to the programme
My Position was Legal and Information Officer
Mr Obey Shava | Chiredzi, Zimbabwe
Bachelor of Laws Honors degree (University of Zimbabwe), Master of Laws degree (University of East London, UK) , Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies and Theology (Zimbabwe Open University)
Previous experience
14 years in private practice, mainly in human rights, civil and constitutional litigation. Founder and managing partner of Shava Law Chambers, Rights and Business Centre. Award winning human rights lawyer.
Academic fields of interest:
Human rights and Theology
Position prior to the programme
Managing Partner, Shava Law Chambers, Rights and Business Centre
