Kum Godlve Wallang, Barrister and Solicitor
Kum Godlove WALLANG is a Cameron-based Barrister & Solicitor who extensively practiced human rights and international humanitarian law. With over 12 years of experience at the Douala-based Kengoum Law Firm in Bonanjo, Wallang has represented his clients before the tribunals and the courts in civil matters and assisted in criminal cases. His practice encompasses nearly every aspect of that field and he has extensive experience in human rights, in particular, deaths in custody, human rights in detention and other actions against the police and the prison services. It is in his reference letter provided by Barrister Celestin Kengoum that “Wallang’s work product was always timely and he worked very efficiently. He approaches every task assigned to him with a keen interest and a friendly demeanor.” Barrister Buh Mathias also comments: “Wallang is a Lawyer full of integrity and professionalism.”
Since February 2014, Wallang works as a United Nations Human Rights Officer with the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission (MINUSMA) in Mali, where he monitors, collects, verifies and analyses information relevant to the observance of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. Besides, he formulates recommendations and suggests strategies to better promote and protect human rights in the mission area. In addition, he works directly with other United Nations peace operation components, including the police and military, to integrate human rights considerations into the planning and review of their programs and operations. Moreover, he liaises with appropriate national authorities, civil society, UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes with complementary mandates, and other relevant partners to monitor developments in the human rights situation and, if needed, support the creation of baseline data.
Wallang was awarded a Post-graduate Diploma in Common Law and a Bachelor at Law and Political Science (LL.B.) from the University of Dschang in Cameroon in 2000 and 1999, respectively. Following graduation, he joined the Kengoum Law Firm as an aspirant until he was called to practice at the Bar in 2008. In the course of his practice, Wallang has continually taken steps to expand his knowledge and experience in the areas of discrimination and crimes against women including sexual violence and forced marriages, rights of the child, torture of individuals in conflict zones, and inhumane and degrading treatment or punishment of prisoners. In 2010, he received specialized training in international criminal law and crime prevention instruments, as well as an increased knowledge of the role and function of international organizations and tribunals operating in this area that was jointly organized by the Department of Law of the University of Turin (UNITO) and the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) in 2009.
As a human rights advocate, he serves as private legal advisor to both domestic and international NGOs including Cvtas Cameroon, FOCODEV and Avocats sans Frontières. Wallang is bilingual English/French and is a gifted speaker who regularly promotes human rights norms in community groups and encourages humanitarian activities.
He is also a trainer on criminal procedure and human rights and has provided advice and training in Mali and Cameroon. He is elaborating a programme to undertake human rights education in primary schools and colleges that will prone the culture of understanding and respecting human rights at an early level.
Wallang has made presentations at numerous conferences on human rights, humanitarian law and criminal justice in Cameron and Mali. He leads FOCODEV initiatives towards promoting human rights education in communities, primary schools, and colleges where children, especially girls, are exposed to abuse and discrimination.
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