Justice Barke Mbaraka Aboud Sehel is a trailblazing jurist and distinguished leader in Tanzania’s judiciary, renowned for her integrity, expertise, and commitment to advancing justice and gender equity. She currently serves as a Justice of the Court of Appeal of Tanzania, where she presides over complex appellate matters and contributes to shaping the country’s legal landscape. Her legal journey began with a Bachelor of Laws (L.L.B. Hons) from the University of Kent at Canterbury, U.K., in 1996, followed by a Master of Laws (L.L.M.) in Petroleum and International Law from the University of Dar es Salaam in 2008. This strong academic foundation has underpinned her specialization in commercial, petroleum, and international law.
Over the course of her career, Justice Sehel has held several high-profile positions, including Judge in Charge of the Commercial Court at the High Court of Tanzania, Judge of the High Court in Dodoma and Dar es Salaam, and Director of Contracts and Treaties at the Attorney General’s Chambers. Earlier in her career, she served as a State Attorney, gaining extensive experience in criminal prosecutions and civil litigation. Her leadership has also extended to regulatory and quasi-judicial bodies, notably as Chairperson of the Fair Competition Tribunal and member of the Mining Advisory Board.
Beyond the courtroom, Justice Sehel is a passionate advocate for women in the legal profession. As Chairperson of the Tanzania Women Judges’ Association (TAWJA), she has spearheaded transformative initiatives, including championing the nationwide celebration of International Women Judges Day. Under her stewardship, this commemoration has grown into a widely recognized event embraced not only by the judiciary but also by the broader public. She has been an active member of the International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ) since 2014 and continues to amplify the voices of women in law through mentorship, advocacy, and policy engagement.
Her contributions to legal scholarship include authoring a chapter in “African Upstream Oil and Gas: A Practical Guide to the Law and Regulation” (2015), reflecting her expertise in energy and international law. Justice Sehel is also a member of the Tanzania Women Lawyers’ Association (TAWLA) and the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN), underscoring her influence across diverse legal and professional networks. Fluent in English and Kiswahili, with working knowledge of French, Justice Sehel combines linguistic versatility with strong computing and analytical skills essential for modern judicial practice. She embodies the values of judicial integrity, inclusiveness, and innovation, standing as a role model for the next generation of legal professionals in Tanzania and beyond.
