Kenya's candidate for the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Prof Phoebe Okowa, has fallen short of securing the required majority in the UN Security Council, necessitating a second round of voting. Okowa garnered six votes in the 15-member Security Council, two votes shy of the eight required for election. In contrast, she obtained an absolute majority in the General Assembly during Tuesday's first round of voting.
The UN Security Council and General Assembly must independently elect the same candidates for them to secure seats on the world court. Four candidates successfully secured the required majorities in both organs during the first round: Dapo Akande of the United Kingdom, François Alabrune of France, Mahmoud Daifallah Hmoud of Jordan, and Rena Lee of Singapore. Akande received 11 votes, Alabrune 13, Hmoud 10, and Lee 13 in the Security Council.
Ecuador's Marcelo Vázquez Bermúdez secured nine votes, while South Korea's Jin Hyun Paik received seven in the Security Council. Okowa's six votes placed her below the required threshold, despite the General Assembly confirming she had obtained an absolute majority in its ballot. The second round of voting aims to fill the remaining vacancy on the ICJ.
The elections are being held to fill five seats whose current holders' terms expire on February 5, 2027. Successful candidates will serve nine-year terms beginning February 6, 2027. Kenya had mounted an extensive diplomatic campaign in support of Okowa, highlighting her qualifications and experience needed to serve on the world court.
Kenya's Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'Oei stated that months of engagement with UN member states had culminated in a final appeal in New York. Sing'Oei emphasized Kenya's presentation of Okowa as a candidate with the necessary qualifications and experience, while advocating for a bench that reflects key principles of international law.
The second ballot will determine whether Okowa can secure the additional Security Council support needed to advance her bid for a seat on the ICJ. Under Article 10 of the ICJ Statute, candidates must obtain an absolute majority in both the General Assembly and the Security Council to be elected, with a required threshold of eight votes in the Security Council.
The outcome of the second round of voting remains uncertain, as Kenya's bid for the ICJ seat hangs in the balance. Okowa's candidacy has garnered significant attention, with her qualifications and experience being emphasized throughout the campaign. The final result will be determined by the second round of voting in both the General Assembly and the Security Council.
Key points
- Okowa secured six votes in the 15-member Security Council, falling two short of the eight required for election.
- Four candidates secured the required majorities in both organs during the first round: Dapo Akande, François Alabrune, Mahmoud Daifallah Hmoud, and Rena Lee.
- The second ballot aims to fill the remaining vacancy on the ICJ, with successful candidates serving nine-year terms beginning February 6, 2027.
