The African Promise
Dr Emilia Onyema (SOAS University of London), Dr Stuart Dutson (Simmons and Simmons LLP London) and Mr Kamal Shah (Stephenson Harwood LLP London) have drafted the following text on an ‘African Promise’ towards the actualisation of Diversity in International Arbitration. Prof Dr Mohamed S. Abdel Wahab also mentioned the need for an African Pledge in his keynote speech at the 2018 SOAS Arbitration in Africa conference in Kigali. This Promise is modelled on the Equal Representation in Arbitration Pledge (www.arbitrationpledge.com). We very much encourage you to sign both the ERA Pledge and the African Promise.
Read Dr Onyema’s interview with LexisNexis on the African Promise here.
Read the GAR article on The African Promise here.
Read the SOAS article on The African Promise here.
Read the Law360 article on The African Promise here.
Read Dr Onyema’s article about The African Promise on The Conversation here.
Read Africa Arbitration Academy Protocol on Virtual Hearings in Africa, April 2020 by AYA here.
An African Promise
As a group of counsel, arbitrators, representatives of corporates, States, arbitral institutions, academics and others involved in the practice of international arbitration, we are committed to improving the profile and representation of African arbitrators especially in arbitrations connected to Africa. In particular, we consider that African arbitrators should be appointed as arbitrators on an equal opportunity basis. To achieve this, we will take the steps reasonably available to us – and we will encourage other participants in the arbitral process to do likewise – to ensure that, wherever possible:
- committees, governing bodies and conference panels in the field of arbitration include a fair representation of Africans;
- in arbitrations connected with Africa lists of potential arbitrators or tribunal chairs provided to or considered by parties, counsel, in-house counsel, arbitral institutions or otherwise include a fair representation of African candidates;
- States, arbitral institutions and national committees include a fair representation of African candidates on rosters and lists of potential arbitrator appointees, where maintained by them;
- where they have the power to do so, counsel, arbitrators, representatives of corporates, States and arbitral institutions appoint a fair representation of African arbitrators especially in arbitrations connected with Africa;
- statistics for nominations and appointments (split by party and other appointment) of African arbitrators especially in relation to arbitrations connected with Africa are collated by arbitral institutions and made publicly available; and
- senior and experienced arbitration practitioners support, mentor/sponsor and encourage Africans to pursue arbitrator appointments and otherwise enhance their profiles and practice.
In recognition of the under-representation of Africans on international arbitral tribunals especially in arbitrations connected with Africa, we have drawn up a promise to take action (an African Promise). An African Promise seeks to increase the number of Africans appointed as arbitrators especially in arbitrations connected with Africa in order to achieve a fair representation as soon practically possible.
The introductory paragraph of An African Promise sets out two general objectives:
- to improve the profile and representation of African arbitrators; and
- to appoint Africans as arbitrators especially in arbitrations connected with Africa.
An African Promise establishes concrete and actionable steps that the international arbitration community can and must take towards achieving these general objectives. It is, however, acknowledged that in some cases, some stakeholders may not reasonably be able to carry out each and every commitment. For this reason, the words ‘wherever possible’ were introduced to preface each of the specific commitments.
You can download The African Promise by clicking here
You can download The African Promise in Arabic by clicking here
You can download The African Promise in French by clicking here
347 | Matovu Harunah | Kampala | Uganda | Lomax Associated Advocates | Jun 19, 2023 |
346 | MOHAMADOU AMINOU | Kigali | Rwanda | A&AATTORNEYS/AVOCATS KIGALI | Jun 19, 2023 |
345 | UWAMBAJE Alice | Kigali | Rwanda | Rwanda Bar association | Apr 27, 2023 |
344 | RUHUMULIZA Innocent | KIGALI | RWANDA | RWANDA BAR ASSOCIATION | Apr 25, 2023 |
343 | brian muriuki mwiti | NAIROBI | Kenya | LEXSERVE DISPUTES CENTRE | May 30, 2022 |
342 | Ramon Ghosh | London | United Kingdom | Control Risks | May 09, 2022 |
341 | Paul Kimani | Nairobi | Kenya | Paul Andrew Advocates | Mar 31, 2022 |
340 | Efemena Iluezi-Ogbaudu | Geneva | Switzerland | Geneva Center for International Dispute Settlement | Mar 31, 2022 |
339 | Vivek Kapoor | London | United Kingdom | 39 Essex Chambers | Mar 15, 2022 |
338 | Rasha Takieldin | Cairo | Egypt | Faculty of Law, Mansoura University | Mar 05, 2022 |
337 | Trevor Onyango | London | United Kingdom | Jan 26, 2022 | |
336 | Standard Chartered Bank | London | United Kingdom | Standard Chartered Bank | Dec 14, 2021 |
335 | Simmons & Simmons LLP | London | United Kingdom | Simmons & Simmons LLP | Dec 14, 2021 |
334 | Joshua Karton | Kingston | Canada | Queen's University Faculty of Law | Nov 18, 2021 |
333 | Elizabeth Chan | Hong Kong | Hong Kong | Three Crowns | Nov 18, 2021 |
332 | Paulman Chungu | Lusaka | Zambia | Ranchhod, Chungu Advocates | Sep 01, 2021 |
331 | Kennedy Odhiambo | Malindi | Kenya | Attorney General’s Chambers | Jul 21, 2021 |
330 | Domenico Di Pietro | Miami | United States | Jun 20, 2021 | |
329 | Christianah Adeyemi | Toronto | Canada | Northview Law | Jun 19, 2021 |
328 | Michael Wietzorek | Munich | Germany | Taylor Wessing | Jun 09, 2021 |
327 | Karishma Vora | London and Mumbai | UK and India | 39 Essex Chambers and Chambers of Karishma Vora | May 31, 2021 |
326 | Yemi Lodebo | Addis Ababa | Ethiopia | Ethiopian Ministry of Revenues | Mar 22, 2021 |
325 | Frances K N Ddungu | Kampala | Uganda | Lubega & Co Advocates | Aug 31, 2020 |
324 | Emilia Siwingwa | Dar es Salaam | Tanzania | African Hub for Accountability and Development Initiatives (AHADI) | Aug 27, 2020 |
323 | victoria kigen | Nairobi | Kenya | Nairobi Centre for International Arbitration | Aug 27, 2020 |
322 | Tayeb Hassabo | Khartoum | Sudan | Aztan Law Firm | Aug 27, 2020 |
321 | Godwin Omoaka, SAN, FCIArb | Lagos | Nigeria | TEMPLARS | Aug 23, 2020 |
320 | Aboubacar FALL | Dakar | SENEGAL | AF Legal law Firm | Jul 29, 2020 |
319 | Ernesto Briseno | Madrid | Spain | Ispayur | Jul 27, 2020 |
318 | Obiajunwa Ama | London | United Kingdom | University of Hertfordshire | Jul 18, 2020 |
317 | Rob Wilkins | London | United Kingdom | Pinsent Masons | Jul 02, 2020 |
316 | Mike Kushner | Leeds | United Kingdom | Jun 04, 2020 | |
315 | Anouj Patel | Leeds | United Kingdom | Addleshaw Goddard LLP | Jun 04, 2020 |
314 | Nick Ashcroft | United Kingdom | Addleshaw Goddard | Jun 04, 2020 | |
313 | Amanda Lee | London | UK | Seymours | May 29, 2020 |
312 | Jack Matiza | Port Elizabeth | South Africa | Jack Matiza Incorporated | May 27, 2020 |
311 | Tolu Obamuroh | Paris | France | White & Case LLP | Apr 23, 2020 |
310 | Dewake Adeleye Adekoyejo | Lagis | Nigeria | The Jurisworth | Apr 14, 2020 |
309 | Khaled Abou El Houda | Dakar | Senegal | Houda Law Firm | Apr 08, 2020 |
308 | Abimo Olayiwola | Ibadan | Nigeria | ABILEGAL | Mar 30, 2020 |
307 | Emuobonuvie Majemite | Lagos | Nigeria | PUNUKA Attorneys and Solicitors | Mar 25, 2020 |
306 | Abraham Kuate | Cameroun | Cameroon | GICAM | Mar 12, 2020 |
305 | Obosa Akpata | Lagos | Nigeria | Patreli Partners | Mar 12, 2020 |
304 | Olusola Adegbonmire | Lagos | Nigeria | Sola Ajijola and Co: | Mar 12, 2020 |
303 | Léon Patrice SARR | Dakar | Senegal | LPS L@W | Mar 12, 2020 |
302 | Alex Mwaniki | Nairobi | Kenya | Nairobi Centre for International Arbitration (NCIA) | Mar 12, 2020 |
301 | DJOUFA TIEMAGNI SOPHIE DE SYLVIE | Douala | Cameroon | Advocate | Mar 12, 2020 |
300 | Christine laure Ngandeu Fanktchou | Douala | Cameroon | Law firm : Zangue and Partners | Mar 12, 2020 |
299 | Eunice Shang-Simpson | CANTERBURY | United Kingdom | Canterbury Christchurch University | Mar 12, 2020 |
298 | Elvire VIGNON | Cotonou | Bénin | EV Arbitrage & Médiation | Mar 11, 2020 |
< > |