Dr. Musa Yerro Gassama
Director of the Human Rights Division, UNMISS & Representative of OHCHR
Over three decades of experience in international human rights law, peacekeeping, diplomacy, and public policy, with senior leadership roles across Africa and within the United Nations system.
Key Achievements
Professional Overview
Senior human rights practitioner and legal expert with over 31 years of experience in peacekeeping and political missions, specializing in the protection of civilians, early warning, accountability, and the implementation of human rights mandates in conflict and post-conflict settings.
Core Expertise
- Human rights monitoring, reporting, early warning, and prevention
- Leadership of multidisciplinary teams of 100+ human rights, legal, and analytical experts
- Strategic guidance and advisory services to national and international stakeholders
- Academic and practitioner research in human rights and peacekeeping
- Teaching and training on the United Nations human rights system
Geographic Experience
Long-term professional assignments across The Gambia, Senegal, Switzerland, Togo, Ethiopia, Somalia, the Central African Republic, and South Sudan, with additional official missions in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, countries of the European Union, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and across Eastern, Western, Central, and Southern Africa.