The Faculty of Law at the University of Pretoria (UP) is proud to celebrate the achievements of Barbara Nyasha Sambo, a dedicated scholar, lecturer, and recent graduate who continues to make her mark in the field of international law.

Originally from Harare, Zimbabwe, Sambo (30) holds a BA Law, an LLB, and an LLM in Multidisciplinary Human Rights. She recently added a second master’s degree — an LLM in International Law — to her growing list of academic accomplishments. Alongside her studies, she serves as a part-time lecturer in the Department of Jurisprudence, where she inspires the next generation of legal minds.

Sambo’s dissertation, titled “The sanction architecture of the African Union in the promotion of democracy and development in Africa: a case study of Sudan and Zimbabwe”, examined how the African Union (AU) uses sanctions as part of its peace and security framework.

“My research explored whether sanctions are truly effective in advancing democracy and development,” she explains. “On paper, the AU sanctions system looks solid. But in practice, implementation is inconsistent, accountability is limited, and ordinary citizens often suffer the most.”

Her work highlights critical gaps in the AU’s approach, including its reliance on external funding, its slow response to conflicts, and the unintended consequences of sanctions, which can strengthen repressive regimes rather than weakening them.

Sambo was particularly moved to focus on Sudan. “Sudan’s crisis is often overlooked due to its complexity,” she said. “I wanted to bring out that complexity, highlight the humanitarian crisis and displacement of people, and critically assess what institutions like the AU can do to address it. My desire was to remind people that the citizens matter, and their rights should not go unnoticed.”

Her research found that sanctions, often borrowed from Western models, can be counterproductive in the African context. “Instead of coercing repressive regimes into reform, sanctions can reduce political freedoms, worsen repression, and harm ordinary people,” Sambo noted.

She argues for a refined sanctions framework that directly targets ruling elites while safeguarding human rights. “Sanctions must be meaningful and aligned with the threats they seek to address. Without proper implementation and monitoring, they remain a blunt instrument,” she added.

Her study contributes not only to legal scholarship but also to broader society by raising awareness of how sanctions impact ordinary Africans and by advocating for greater accountability and more people-centred approaches to peace and security.

Reflecting on her journey, Sambo highlights the importance of purpose and perseverance:
“Postgraduate studies aren’t about knowing everything; they’re about learning to think critically and engage more intentionally with the law. The journey can be lonely, so having a strong support system matters. I had unexpected health challenges during my studies, but with the support of my supervisor and community, I succeeded.”

She also shares a piece of advice for aspiring postgraduate students. “Pursue postgraduate studies with purpose, not pressure. Choose an area of law that truly inspires you. Commit to it, trust yourself, and know that you can do hard things.”

For her, this milestone marks only the beginning. She plans to pursue her LLD in 2026 and continue building a career in academia, research, and policy work. Her passions span gender studies, law and development, social justice, human rights, and international law.

“Achieving this milestone is a reminder that the future is bright. I want to leave behind a legacy of impact and pursue every dream without limitations. As a friend once told me, ‘You can have it all, without missing out’—and that’s the path I intend to follow.”