Bandjoun: Hommage à Son Fils Élu Président du Tribunal I

• Professor Maurice Kamga was elected President of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) on October 1, 2026, in Hamburg, Germany.
• His three-year renewable term as ITLOS President follows his election as a judge six years prior, a United Nations-level selection supported by Cameroon.
• On October 24, 2026, his native village of Bandjoun celebrated his achievement, with local dignitaries and the German Ambassador in attendance.
• His Majesty Dr. Honoré Djomo Kamga, superior chief of Bandjoun, invoked ancestral blessings for Professor Kamga's new role.
• Professor Kamga met with Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, Secretary General of the Presidency, on October 26, 2026, to thank President Paul Biya for Cameroon's consistent diplomatic support.

This heartfelt reception in Bandjoun underscored the deep local pride in Professor Kamga's international judicial leadership, reflecting the community's acknowledgment of his significant global role.

On Saturday, October 24, 2026, Professor Maurice Kamga returned to his native village of Bandjoun, where his community gathered to celebrate his recent election. The atmosphere was one of profound joy and enthusiasm as the newly appointed President of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) communed with his people. Presiding over the event at the royal court, His Majesty Dr. Honoré Djomo Kamga, the superior chief of Bandjoun, invoked ancestral blessings, seeking guidance and protection for Professor Kamga in his demanding new international responsibilities.

The gathering was attended by a distinguished array of guests, highlighting the significance of the occasion. Among those present were S.E. Christian Sedat, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Cameroon, and Thembile Joyini, a fellow judge from the same international judicial body. Local dignitaries also participated, including Adrey Epente Tazeu, the Secretary General of the Governor's services for the West region, who represented the governor, alongside numerous administrative and traditional authorities, and the esteemed queens of the royal court. This heartfelt reception in Bandjoun underscored the deep local pride in Professor Kamga's international judicial leadership, reflecting the community's acknowledgment of his significant global role.

Professor Kamga's visit to his hometown followed his significant election on October 1, 2026, in Hamburg, Germany, where he was chosen to lead the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. This prestigious appointment sees him serving as president for a three-year term, which is renewable. His current role as Minister Plenipotentiary and President of ITLOS marks a pinnacle in his distinguished career in international law.

This recent elevation builds upon his prior success, as Professor Kamga had already been elected as an ITLOS judge six years before assuming the presidency. He noted that this initial selection was a United Nations-level election, emphasizing the global recognition of his expertise and qualifications. The process of his candidacy for the judgeship was actively supported by the Cameroonian state, a crucial factor in his initial entry into this esteemed international body.

Just days after his community celebration, on Monday, October 26, 2026, Professor Kamga was received at the Unity Palace in Yaoundé. The meeting took place in Building B, where he was hosted by Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, the Minister of State and Secretary General of the Presidency of the Republic, acting on behalf of President Paul Biya. This high-level reception provided Professor Kamga with an opportunity to express his profound gratitude for the unwavering support provided by Cameroonian diplomacy throughout his international career.

He specifically acknowledged the instrumental role played by the Head of State, the Secretary General of the Presidency, Cameroon's Ambassador to New York, and other ambassadors in advocating for his candidacy for the ITLOS judgeship six years prior. Professor Kamga recounted visiting them to convey his thanks immediately after his initial election as a judge. During this recent meeting, he also took the opportunity to discuss his new responsibilities as the President of the Tribunal, further solidifying the national government's connection to his international achievements.

The dual celebrations, both in his ancestral village of Bandjoun and at the highest echelons of the Cameroonian government, highlight the immense pride and recognition surrounding Professor Maurice Kamga's election. His leadership of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea not only represents a personal triumph but also serves as a significant diplomatic achievement for Cameroon on the global stage. The consistent support from Cameroonian diplomacy, from his initial judgeship to his current presidency, underscores the nation's commitment to promoting its citizens in key international roles.

Professor Kamga's journey, from a local community member in Bandjoun to the president of a vital international judicial body, exemplifies the potential for Cameroonian talent to excel globally. His story resonates as a testament to the nation's investment in its human capital and its strategic engagement in multilateral institutions. The collective homage paid to him, both traditionally and officially, firmly positions him as a distinguished son of Cameroon, whose work will impact international maritime law for years to come.

Source: Original reporting via Actu Cameroun