The African Institute of International Law (AIIL), based in Arusha, Tanzania, is a pan-African educational and research center established to enhance the understanding and application of international law, African public law, and African Union Law.
AIIL’s mission is to promote peace, socio-economic development, and security across Africa through a rules-based approach and the consolidation of the rule of law.
AIIL offers capacity-building programs, advanced research, and legal education to address critical issues affecting African nations and regional organizations. Its work strengthens governance and regional cooperation, creating a legally informed and integrated continent. As a partner in the UNESCO-UNITWIN Network, AIIL brings valuable expertise in fostering legal frameworks that support cultural heritage protection and sustainable development in times of crisis.
Meet our team
Prof. Mathias Sahinkuye is a scholar in international law, with expertise in regional integration, human rights law, international humanitarian law, international criminal law, and legal philosophy.
He has held various positions in academic institutions: Head of Department, Dean, Director of Postgraduate Studies, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic, Research and Consultancy at the University of Iringa. He is the Program Director at the African Institute of International Law (AIIL) and Deputy Vice Chancellor for Planning, Finance, and Administration at the University of Iringa.
Prof. Sahinkuye has contributed significantly to legal scholarship, with major publications such as From Utopia to Universal Protection of Human Rights and General Theory and Philosophy of Law. His career spans academic leadership roles and active involvement in international law advocacy, including serving as a Defense Attorney before the UN International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and as Secretary General of the Defense Lawyers Association.
Prof. Sahinkuye is also deeply involved in organizing global seminars and workshops, fostering a strong legacy of legal education and research. Through AIIL, he leads capacity-building initiatives in international law, African Union (AU) law, and the public law of Africa. His work includes targeted teaching, research, and dissemination aimed at promoting the rule of law, legal predictability, and stable intergovernmental relations within Africa. The programs serve a wide range of professionals, including judges, legal practitioners, government officials, and diplomats, particularly in areas such as trade, maritime law, human rights, and criminal law.