The Africa Judges and Jurists Forum (AJJF) is pleased to announce the election of Justice Professor Oagile Bethuel Key Dingake as its Chairperson with effect from 20 June 2026.
Justice Dingake assumes leadership of the AJJF at a significant moment for the administration of justice on the African continent. Across Africa, judiciaries continue to confront complex challenges and opportunities arising from democratic governance, constitutionalism, access to justice, technological transformation, climate justice, economic integration, and the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Justice Dingake brings to the position a distinguished record of judicial service, scholarship and leadership spanning multiple jurisdictions and international institutions. He currently serves on the Supreme and National Courts of Papua New Guinea and on the Residual Special Court of Sierra Leone following his appointment by the United Nations. He previously served as a Justice of the Court of Appeal of Seychelles and as a Judge of the High Court and Industrial Court of Botswana, where he also acted as a Justice of the Court of Appeal.
An accomplished academic and jurist, Justice Dingake holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Law from the University of Cape Town, a Master of Laws (LLM) from the University of London, and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Botswana. He holds professorial appointments at the University of Cape Town, James Cook University, and San Beda University in the Philippines, where he teaches Constitutional Theory at doctoral and postgraduate level.
Justice Dingake is internationally recognised for his contributions to constitutionalism, human rights, HIV and health law, gender justice, and social justice. He is the author of numerous scholarly publications and more than seven books. He currently serves as President of the Africa Regional Judges Forum on HIV/TB convened by the United Nations Development Programme and as Co-Chair of the African Think Tank on HIV, Health and Social Justice.
In 2019, Justice Dingake became the first—and remains the only African judge to serve as Beatty Jurist in Residence at Southern Illinois University School of Law in the United States. President Duma Boko’s government in Botswana, also nominated Justice Dingake for election to the International Court of Justice for the 2027 – 2037 term.
Justice Dingake’s election reflects AJJF’s founding vision as a platform led by African judges and jurists themselves, drawing upon the continent’s rich judicial experience while engaging constructively with international best practice. The AJJF is founded on the belief that Africa possesses the expertise, leadership and intellectual resources necessary to contribute meaningfully to global conversations on justice, constitutionalism, judicial independence, human rights, and the rule of law and development.
AJJF was established to provide a platform through which judges, jurists and justice sector leaders from across Africa can exchange experience, generate knowledge, develop solutions to shared challenges and strengthen institutions that uphold justice and constitutional governance. Through this approach, the AJJF seeks not only to support justice sector development on the continent, but also to contribute African perspectives and jurisprudential thought to the advancement of global justice.
Commenting on the election, AJJF Secretary General, Mr Martin Masiga noted that “Justice Dingake’s distinguished judicial career, scholarly contributions and commitment to justice embody the values upon which the AJJF was founded and this positions him well to lead the organisation during this important phase of its growth and development.”
The AJJF extends its warm congratulations to Justice Dingake and looks forward to his leadership as it continues to advance judicial excellence, constitutionalism, access to justice, the rule of law and development throughout Africa.