Cameroonian judge elected 1st Vice President of UN Appeals Tribunal.

The election of Justice Forbang as First Vice President of the Tribunal comes as no surprise especially to individuals familiar with the affairs of the UN body.

Justice Forbang is no greenhorn to the UN tribunal having served previously as second Vice President of the body. Prior to joining the UN Appeals Tribunal, Justice Forbang served as Deputy Attorney General of the South West Court of Appea.

Before holding that position, Justice Forbang served as State Counsel at the Court of First Instance between 2017 and 2020, State Counsel at the Court of Ambam and High Court of the Ntem Valley Division in the South Region between 2014 and 2017.

He was also State Counsel at the Court of First Instance in Muyuka in the South West Region between 2012 and 2014, Judge at the High Court of Fako Division in Buea between 2005 and 2012 and Presiding Magistrate at the Court of First Instance in Tombel between 2001 and 2005.

Justice Forbang had previously served as Deputy State Prosecutor in Mbengwi, in Momo Division between 1998 and 2001. 

The Cameroonian holds a Bachelor of Arts obtained in 1988 and a Post Undergraduate Diploma obtained in 1990 in English Private Law from the University of Yaoundé.

He is also holder of a Post Graduate Diploma in Magistracy from the National School of Administration and Magistracy obtained in 1998, an LL.M in International Criminal Law from the University of Buea, and is concluding a PhD in International Law at the University of Buea.

Meanwhile, the UN Appeals Tribunal, UNAT, it should be said, was established by the General Assembly in 2009, as part of the new UN system for the administration of justice. 

As the second level appellate review tribunal within the administration of justice system, the UN Appeals Tribunal reviews, within its specific jurisdiction, appeals against judgments rendered by the UN Dispute Tribunal, the Dispute Tribunal of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, UNRWA, as well as appeals of decisions taken by the Standing Committee acting on behalf of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Board, UNJSPB, and by those organisations, agencies and entities that have accepted UNAT's jurisdiction.

The UN Appeals Tribunal, UNAT usually meets in session three times a year, in spring, summer and fall sessions, to
render judgments. The sessions are held in New York, Nairobi, or Geneva at times at other locations.

The tribunal consists of seven judge positions. The UN Appeals Tribunal President usually designates three judge panels to decide each case. 

However, under certain circumstances a case may be heard by the entire UNAT bench. UN Appeals Tribunal judgments are final and binding on the parties.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3622 of Tuesday November 11, 2025