Dr Sylvia Ama Adusu, a Ghanaian jurist, has been sworn in as a member of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), marking a significant milestone as the first African woman to serve on the international maritime court. The swearing-in ceremony took place at a public sitting of the Tribunal in Hamburg, Germany, alongside four other newly elected judges. They will serve nine-year terms ending in 2035.
The other judges elected alongside Dr Adusu are George Rodrigo Bandeira Galindo of Brazil, Slim Laghmani of Tunisia, Lan-Anh Thi Nguyen of Vietnam, and Bimal N. Patel of India. During the sitting, the five judges made a solemn declaration required under Article 11 of the Statute of the Tribunal to exercise their powers impartially and conscientiously.
Dr Adusu's election to the ITLOS bench was a historic moment, as she secured 130 votes out of 169 votes cast at the 36th Meeting of States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Her election followed Ghana's nomination and the endorsement of her candidature by the African Union.
With over three decades of experience in legal practice and international law, Dr Adusu is well-equipped for her role on the ITLOS bench. She holds a PhD in International Law from the University of Lancaster in the United Kingdom, with research focused on the delimitation and conservation of marine resources under UNCLOS within the context of cooperation over Gulf of Guinea resources.
Dr Adusu's experience in the law of the sea includes working on major cases involving Ghana before international tribunals. Notably, she was a member of Ghana's legal team in the "ARA Libertad" case involving Argentina and Ghana before ITLOS and served as counsel in Ghana's maritime boundary dispute with Côte d'Ivoire before the tribunal.
ITLOS is an independent judicial body established by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The tribunal has jurisdiction over disputes concerning the interpretation or application of the convention and other matters specifically provided for in agreements conferring jurisdiction on the tribunal. Its work covers a range of maritime issues, including boundary disputes and environmental protection.
Dr Adusu's appointment to ITLOS is a significant achievement for Ghana and the African continent. Her expertise and experience will contribute to the tribunal's work in promoting the rule of law and peaceful resolution of maritime disputes. The successful settlement of the Ghana-Côte d'Ivoire maritime boundary dispute in 2017 is an example of ITLOS' critical role in resolving complex maritime issues.
Key points
- Dr Sylvia Adusu is the first African woman to serve on the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS).
- Dr Adusu was elected with 130 votes out of 169 at the 36th Meeting of States Parties to UNCLOS.
- ITLOS has jurisdiction over disputes concerning the interpretation or application of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
