Sierra Leone’s Justice Miatta Samba Elected President of ICC Trial Division

Sierra Leonean jurist Justice Miatta Maria Samba has been elected President of the Trial Division of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Justice Samba, a distinguished legal scholar and advocate for justice, brings a wealth of experience to this crucial role. Born on October 3rd, 1971, she holds a Bachelor of Laws from Fourah Bay College and postgraduate degrees in Human Rights and Energy Law from the Universities of Pretoria and Dundee, respectively.

Her legal career began in 1999 as a member of the Sierra Leone Bar Association. She rose to prominence working as a prosecutor for the Special Court for Sierra Leone, tackling war crimes committed during the country’s brutal civil war. Justice Samba’s commitment to justice extends beyond the courtroom. She has served as a lecturer at Fourah Bay College and held leadership positions within the Anti-Corruption Commission of Sierra Leone.

Justice Samba’s dedication to the pursuit of justice on both the national and international stage is undeniable. In 2020, she was elected as a Judge at the ICC, and most recently, she has been presiding over the chambers for cases involving Paul Gicheru from Kenya and Mahamat Said Abdel Kani from the Central African Republic.

Her elevation to President of the Trial Division signifies a significant moment for Sierra Leone and the international community’s fight against impunity. Justice Samba’s leadership is poised to play a vital role in ensuring fair and expeditious trials at the ICC.