Three decades of advancing human rights, protecting civilians, and championing defenders across Africa and within the United Nations system.
Representing the United Nations at the highest levels of international diplomacy, delivering formal statements, expert briefings, and strategic guidance on complex human rights situations before the Human Rights Council, government officials, and international stakeholders.
High-level engagement with government officials, military representatives, and international partners in Juba. As Director of the UNMISS Human Rights Division, Dr. Gassama regularly convenes dialogues on peace, security, and the protection of civilians.
UNMISS Human Rights Reports →Delivered a formal statement at the 48th meeting of the 40th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council, representing OHCHR in a high-level interactive dialogue on the human rights situation in the Central African Republic.
Delivered a formal statement on behalf of Nicholas Haysom, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNMISS, addressing the progress of the Revitalized Peace Agreement and the need for sustained commitment to peace.
UN Peacekeeping →Served as the Representative of OHCHR in Lomé (2008-2010), providing strategic guidance and early warning, supporting efforts to heal the wounds of political violence, and establishing a human rights hotline for public complaints.
Based in Addis Ababa (2010-2013), advancing strategic AU-UN cooperation across development, humanitarian, governance, and security issues. Strengthened the human rights agenda in the Horn of Africa and East Africa.
A Week in the Horn →Engaging state authorities, the judiciary, civil society stakeholders, and security institutions on human rights, accountability, peace, and security issues in Warrap State.
The UNMISS Human Rights Division delegation alongside state officials in front of the Warrap State government building, with the South Sudan national flag and UN flag flying overhead.
Engaging with the Reconstituted Transitional Legislative Assembly of Warrap State on legislative measures to strengthen accountability and the rule of law.
High-level meeting with the Warrap State Police Commissioner to discuss security challenges, intercommunal violence, and police-community relations.
Visiting the Office of the President of the High Court to discuss access to justice, judicial capacity, and accountability for human rights violations.
Engaging civil society organisations, community leaders, and women peace ambassadors on human rights protection, civic space, and peacebuilding in Warrap State.
Strengthening relationships with state government counterparts — a cornerstone of UNMISS efforts to promote dialogue and sustainable peace.
Representing UNMISS Mission Leadership at the Rwanda Formed Police Unit (RWAFPU) award ceremony, honouring officers for their dedicated service to peacekeeping and the protection of civilians in South Sudan.
Representing UNMISS Mission Leadership on the ceremonial podium as Rwanda Formed Police Unit officers present a salute during the official medal parade.
Awarding UN service medals and certificates to individual officers in recognition of their contribution to peacekeeping operations in South Sudan.
Being escorted by a senior officer upon arrival at the RWAFPU compound for the medal ceremony, with UN peacekeepers assembled in formation.
Official group photograph with the full Rwanda Formed Police Unit contingent, senior UNMISS leadership, and UN Police commanders following the medal award ceremony.
A lifelong commitment to protecting those who defend human rights. From founding the West African Human Rights Defenders' Network to coordinating Amnesty International's regional programs, Dr. Gassama has been at the forefront of the global movement to safeguard human rights defenders.
Pioneer and co-founder of ROADDH, created in 2005. The network covers 16 countries across West Africa—Mali, Mauritania, Guinea, Senegal, Gambia, Niger, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Cape Verde, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Togo, Benin, Ghana, Nigeria, and Guinea Bissau—providing protection, advocacy, and solidarity for defenders across the region.
ROADDH Website →Named "Human Rights Defender of the Month" by DefendDefenders, recognizing sustained contributions to the protection and promotion of human rights defenders across Africa.
DefendDefenders →"The environment in which human rights defenders operate is becoming more and more hostile, limiting the space for negotiation. Those who stand up for human rights often pay a high price for their courage."
Read the Article →Organized the first international advocacy event on the plight of human rights defenders in West Africa. The press release (AI Index AFR 05/003/2001) documented systematic attacks, catalyzing international attention and protective action.
Co-organized the landmark Consultative Workshop in Dakar, culminating in the adoption of the Declaration on Women Human Rights Defenders in Africa—a groundbreaking call for specific protections for women defenders on the continent.
Presented on the strategic direction of OHCHR in Africa and pathways for civil society engagement at the Fourth Forum on the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
In November 2025, Dr. Gassama was invited as a guest speaker and honoured as a founding member at the DefendDefenders 20th Anniversary celebrations in Kampala, Uganda. The event brought together approximately 200 human rights defenders from across Africa to reflect on two decades of impact and chart the way forward.
Awarded in recognition of exceptional contributions as a Founding Member of the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project and decades of commitment to advancing protection and resilience of defenders across Africa.
Delivering a keynote at the DefendDefenders annual staff retreat in Mbarara, Uganda, reflecting on milestones, emerging challenges, and the founding journey of the organization.
Presentations on protecting human rights defenders, building effective institutions, and advocating for civil society space, alongside Marcel Clement Akpovo from the OHCHR East Africa Regional Office.
Contributing to the development of DefendDefenders' Strategy 2026-2030, discussing the evolving global human rights landscape and priority areas.
Approximately 200 human rights defenders gathered at Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kampala, for a two-day convening showcasing impact stories and honouring those who have shaped the movement.
The main stage highlighting DefendDefenders' reach across the East and Horn of Africa, with exhibited impact stories and memorials for defenders lost.
Authored and oversaw landmark human rights reports documenting violations, accountability gaps, and protection needs in some of the most complex conflict environments in the world.
Comprehensive mapping of serious violations of international human rights law and humanitarian law in CAR. Documented patterns of violence and established a factual basis for accountability.
Peer-reviewed research published in the Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences, examining accountability and misconduct in peace operations and contributing to policy reform.
DOI: 10.5590/JSBHS.2018.12.1.13 →Regular reporting from the UN Mission in CAR covering monitoring, early warning, and protection of civilians (2014-2020).
MINUSCA Human Rights →Ongoing reporting from the UN Mission in South Sudan on protection of civilians and accountability (2020-present).
UNMISS Reports →Local authorities in Warrap State pledged to uphold human rights following engagement with the UNMISS Human Rights Division on intercommunal violence and justice reform.
Read Article →Participated in the commemorative seminar marking the 10th anniversary of the Robben Island Guidelines for the Prohibition and Prevention of Torture in Africa.
Featured in international media, UN broadcasts, and news outlets across Africa and Europe for leadership on human rights, peacekeeping, and the protection of civilians.
48th Meeting, 40th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council, Geneva.
VideoSpeaks on challenges of establishing a criminal justice system in South Sudan at a forum in Juba.
ArticleThe Point (The Gambia) coverage on human rights training activities.
ArticleallAfrica coverage of the OHCHR human rights hotline established under Dr. Gassama's tenure in Togo.
ArticleOHCHR engagement with the government of Togo on human rights and reconciliation.
ArticleHuman Rights House Foundation coverage of Dr. Gassama's address, Oslo, 2004.
ArticleSudan's Post on UNMISS engagement with authorities in Warrap State.
DocumentUN Office of Legal Affairs seminar on international law, May 2017.
Translating over three decades of field experience into structured learning. The Academy offers online courses for scholars, practitioners, and anyone committed to understanding human rights in peacekeeping and conflict resolution.
The course shares a wealth of knowledge and lived experiences to empower learners to contribute to social change. It demonstrates how the multilateral system is tested on human rights at field level, far beyond the conference halls of New York and Geneva.
Context-based learning with case studies from UN Peacekeeping and Political Field Missions across Africa. Scholars and practitioners translate theories and norms into field-level action.