JUDGE OSMAN KEH KAMRA
Judge Osman Keh Kamra
Director and Founder of Western African Academy for the law of the Sea
Judge Osman Keh Kamara is a distinguished figure in international law and diplomacy,
currently serving as a judge at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS).His career is marked by a deep commitment to ocean law and policy, international
dispute settlement, and the jurisprudence of ITLOS.
Judge Kamara’s academic journey began at Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra
Leone, where he earned his LL.B Hons. He furthered his legal education at the Sierra
Leone Law School, obtaining his BL. His pursuit of excellence led him to Columbia University in New York, where he completed a Master of Public Administration (MPA).
Additionally, he holds a Post-Graduate Diploma from the prestigious Rhodes Academy
of Ocean Law and Policy in Greece. His commitment to advancing his knowledge is
evident in his participation in fellowships such as the Nippon Foundation Fellowship at
ITLOS in Hamburg, Germany, as well as programs at the UN Regional Course on
International Law and the International Academy of Arbitration Law in Paris, France.
In his professional career, Judge Kamara has held numerous diplomatic roles. He has
served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Ethiopia and as Permanent
Representative to the African Union and UN Economic Commission for Africa since
2014. His diplomatic acumen has been instrumental in representing Sierra Leone in
various African Union policy organs.
With over 21 years of experience as an advocate, prosecutor, and legal adviser at both national and international levels, Judge Kamara's legal practice is extensive. He has served as Co-Counsel (Appeals Chambers) at the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone and managed the Prosecutions Unit at Sierra Leone National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT). His dedication to justice is further demonstrated through his work as a retained Barrister & Solicitor for UNHCR on gender-based offenses.
Judge Kamara's international contributions are significant. He has been actively involved in the BBNJ process and served as a member of the UN Regular Process Group of Experts. Additionally, he was a member of the AU Peace and Security Council, where he played a crucial role in negotiating the African Charter on Maritime Security, Safety, and Development in Africa.
His achievements have been recognized with an Honorary Doctorate Degree (LL.D.) awarded by Commonwealth University in London for his outstanding contributions to international law and diplomacy. Furthermore, he has shared his insights through authorship, contributing a chapter to "Shielding Humanity– Essays in International Law," published by Brill Nijhoff.
Judge Osman Keh Kamara's career reflects his unwavering dedication to advancing international law and enhancing Sierra Leone's presence on global platforms. His leadership skills and legal acumen have earned him respect and recognition both nationally and internationally.