Tanzanian Law Student from UDSM Clinches Top Honours in ICRC Regional Essay Competition
By Jackson Isdory, CMU
The University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) has reaffirmed its global academic standing after Mr. Abel Michael Simwaba, a fourth-year Tanzanian law student, clinched both the Best Overall Essay and Best Country Paper for Tanzania awards in the 2025 International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Eastern Africa Essay Writing Competition.
In a competition that brought together some of the region’s brightest legal minds, Simwaba’s excellent performance stands out not only as a personal triumph but as a moment of national pride, elevating Tanzanian students’ voices into a highly competitive international humanitarian law discourse.
The prestigious competition, conducted between April and June 2025, attracted more than 100 submissions from over 44 universities across seven Eastern African countries namely, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, and Tanzania.
Official results were announced on 15 December 2025 by the ICRC Regional Delegation in Nairobi, underscoring the rigorous standards and international credibility of the initiative.
Simwaba’s dual recognition places him at the apex of a distinguished cohort of regional scholars, reaffirming UDSM’s role as a leading institution producing graduates capable of competing and excelling on global academic platforms.
Congratulating the student, UDSM Vice Chancellor Prof. William A. L. Anangisye, described the achievement as a reflection of the University’s sustained investment in academic excellence, ethical scholarship and global engagement.
“This recognition underscores the University of Dar es Salaam’s strategic focus on quality teaching, rigorous research and meaningful engagement with global challenges,” said Prof. Anangisye.
He said that Abel’s achievement is not only a personal milestone but also a testament to the strength of our academic systems and the relevance of UDSM’s curricula in addressing international legal and humanitarian issues.
He added that UDSM has reviewed its academic programmes to equip students with robust analytical skills and strong intellectual discipline, enabling them to compete effectively in theinternationaly arena and to respond adeptly to the evolving demands of the global labour market.
“We remain committed to positioning our students as contributors to international policy dialogue, particularly in areas that promote human dignity, peace and the rule of law,” while acknowledging the continued support of the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania through the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, he said,.
Intellectual integrity in an era of Artificial Intelligence
The competition challenged participants to interrogate one of the most pressing humanitarian issues of the 21st century, the persistent gap between the evolution of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and its effective implementation during armed conflicts.
Students were required to critically analyse obstacles to IHL compliance and propose practical strategies to cultivate respect for humanitarian norms among parties to conflict.
At the UDSM School of Law, Simwaba’s success has been celebrated as a powerful affirmation of academic integrity and independent scholarship. Advocate Dr Cecilia Ngaiza, Coordinator for Undergraduate Studies, noted that his essay stood out in a competition where many submissions were disqualified due to plagiarism and overreliance on AI-generated content.
“Mr Simwaba’s work demonstrated analytical depth, originality, and a strong grasp of the realities of International Humanitarian Law. In an era where academic shortcuts are increasingly tempting, his essay exemplifies the values we instil in our students: critical thinking, ethical writing and evidence-based argumentation”, said Dr Ngaiza.
The International Committee of the Red Cross commended the winning submission for its depth of legal analysis and its nuanced understanding of the humanitarian consequences of non-compliance with IHL.
“Eastern African voices are increasingly vital in shaping global debates on International Humanitarian Law. The winning essay demonstrated strong subject knowledge, critical analysis, and a clear appreciation of humanitarian realities. Its nomination for publication on the ICRC Humanitarian Law and Policy Blog will further amplify its impact”, the ICRC stated.
A Tanzanian student, A global platform
Reflecting on his achievement, Mr Abel Michael Simwaba described the recognition as both humbling and motivating.
“This achievement reflects the academic environment and mentorship I have received at the University of Dar es Salaam. The competition challenged me to confront real-world obstacles to IHL implementation and to propose practical solutions. I am deeply grateful to UDSM, the School of Law, and the ICRC for this opportunity”, he said.
Abel received a USD 500 cash prize for Best Overall Essay and USD 100 for Best Country Paper, alongside international recognition that positions him among the region’s most promising emerging legal scholars.
Beyond individual accolades, Simwaba’s success underscores the growing influence of Tanzanian scholarship in regional and global policy conversations. As UDSM continues to cultivate principled thinkers and globally engaged graduates, this achievement reinforces Tanzania’s role in advancing knowledge, ethical leadership, and solutions to complex international challenges.
Through such milestones, the University of Dar es Salaam reaffirms its mission to shape leaders who not only excel academically but also contribute meaningfully to humanity’s shared future.