Africa
CONTACT
The International Institute of Space Law (IISL) introduced the Africa introductory round of the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition in 2011, which was held in Cape Town, South Africa. In 2012, the 1st Africa Regional Round was hosted in Pretoria, South Africa, by the Aerospace Industry Support Initiative (AISI), an initiative of the South African Department of Trade and Industry managed by the CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research). Four participating universities representing South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria, sent teams to the 1st Africa Regional Round.
The competition is a simulated hearing in the area of space law and is organised annually by the IISL. The participating regions consist of Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America and Africa (added in 2012).
This competition encourages further development on the subject matter of space law in the curriculum of academic institutions and assists participating countries in developing the technical legal capacity by preparing the next generation of space lawyers. The competition provides a platform for the students, where the analysis, drafting, presentation and arguing skills of an upcoming lawyer are put to test.The winner of the regional round will represent the Africa region at the World Finals, to be held in conjunction with the International Astronautical Congress.
Report of the 2020 Africa Round of the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition
2020 RESULTS
The Africa Region Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition was won by the University of Pretoria, followed by the Team from Calabar University, which was the 2019 winner and became the runner- up and its participant, Ushie Augustine Eneji won the best Oralist at the finals in Washington, DC.
This year’s competition had the highest number of participants and could have been the biggest in the history of this Competition in the African Region, were it not for the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Most regions of the Continent registered with new comers such as the School of Kenya, Makelle from Ethiopia and the Great Zimbabwe University from Zimbabwe, 4 universities from Nigeria, being Obafemi Owolowo, Nssuka, Benin and Niger Delta Universities, 1 from South Africa being University of Pretoria, 1 from Uganda; Makerere University. 13 universities across the Continent registered for the Competition, however 9 managed to submit their memorials due to COVID-19 implications as a result the competition was judged from the Memorial scores.
This year we also saw 3 ties in the 3rd place taken by 2 newcomers; Makelle University from Ethiopia and University of Benin and Niger Delta both from Nigeria.
The Competition was judged by Adv Keoletswe-Matlou, private Counsel, member of South African Council for Space Affairs (SACSA), and that of the South African National Space Agency(SANSA) Dr. Nonyana-Mokabane of the dti, Adv Sekhula, a private Counsel & Chairperson of the Air Services Licensing Council and Adv Makapela a Contracts Manager at the CSIR and member of the SA Council for Space Affairs (SACSA).
UNIVERSITY OF BENIN
Team number: Nigeria8
Total score: 45
Position: Third (Tied)
MAKELLE UNIVERSITY
Team number: ETHIOPIA
Total score: 45
Position: Third (Tied)
UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA
Team number: South Africa
Total score: 47
Position: First
NIGER DELTA UNIVERSITY
Team number: Nigeria4
Total score: 45
Position: Third (Tied)
UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR
Team number: Nigeria6
Total score: 46
Position: Second
WINNERS OF THE 2019 AFRICAN REGIONAL ROUND
The University Of Calabar Team won the African Regional Rounds of the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition.