Sierra Leone has withdrawn its candidate for the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Prof Charles Jalloh, and thrown its support behind Kenya's Prof Phoebe Okowa. This move aims to consolidate African backing for the remaining seat on the world court. The endorsement comes after Okowa's bid remained unresolved following a second round of voting. Okowa secured 87 votes in the United Nations General Assembly but only four in the Security Council.
The two UN organs are proceeding to a third round of voting to fill the remaining vacancy, with candidates required to secure an absolute majority in both bodies. To be elected, a candidate must receive at least 97 votes in the General Assembly and eight votes in the Security Council. Sierra Leone's representative to the United Nations announced the withdrawal, citing the need to protect Africa's representation on the court.
The decision to support Okowa was driven by the need to prioritize Africa's interests over individual national interests. Sierra Leone's envoy emphasized that "saving Africa's seat matters more than any one national candidate." The envoy also highlighted Okowa's judicial and academic credentials, noting that she was the first African woman elected to the International Law Commission.
Despite Sierra Leone's endorsement, Okowa's support in the Security Council remains a challenge. In the second round, she received only four votes, below the eight required for election. Her candidature had secured six votes in the Security Council during the first round, while she obtained an absolute majority in the General Assembly.
The election requires candidates to win an absolute majority in both the 193-member General Assembly and the 15-member Security Council. Four candidates — Dapo Akande of the United Kingdom, François Alabrune of France, Mahmoud Daifallah Hmoud of Jordan, and Rena Lee of Singapore — were elected after securing the required support in both organs during the first round.
Kenya had mounted an extensive diplomatic campaign in support of Okowa, with Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'Oei saying months of engagement with UN member states had culminated in a final appeal in New York. Sing'Oei presented Okowa as a candidate with the qualifications and experience needed to serve on the world court.
The election is being held to fill five seats whose current holders' terms expire on February 5, 2027, with successful candidates set to begin their nine-year terms on February 6, 2027. Okowa is seeking to retain her position on the court for another nine-year term.
Key points
- Sierra Leone withdraws its ICJ candidate in support of Kenya's Phoebe Okowa.
- Okowa needs to secure eight votes in the Security Council to be elected.
- The ICJ election requires an absolute majority in both the General Assembly and the Security Council.
