Adv Gumbi listens attentively to Martin giving a presentation on the LLM (Human Rights and Democratization in Africa)

Students and Adv Gumbi discuss the major challenges that Africa faces

PRETORIA, May 6, 2006 – Advocate Mojanku Gumbi, who is the legal advisor to President Thabo Mbeki, visited the Centre for Human Rights on Thursday 4 May 2006. Advocate Gumbi had lunch with the students on the Master of Laws (LLM) programme in Human Rights and Democratization in Africa.

A presentation of the LLM programme was made and this was followed by a presentation by one of the students - Sonkita Conteh from Sierra Leone. Sonkita’s presentation was about the Somaliland field trip which was one of the three countries that students on the programme visited during this year’s field trips. After the presentation by Sonkita there was ample time for Advocate Gumbi to engage with the students about the issue of recognition of Somaliland as a state. Other issues that were discussed included the major challenges that Africa faces.

Among those present was Dr Iqbal Jhazbhay who teaches at the University of South Africa (UNISA) and who is the representative of Somaliland in South Africa. Also present was Mr. Pitso Montwedi from the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Advocate Gumbi also held a separate meeting with Prof Christof Heyns, the Director of the Centre for Human Rights.