UN elects Kenyan law scholar to International Court of Justice

By Merve Aydogan

HAMILTON, Canada (AA)—Kenyan law professor Phoebe Okowa on Wednesday became the newest member of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) after four rounds of election at the UN General Assembly and Security Council.

Receiving the required majority of votes at both sessions, Okowa was elected to fill the vacancy following the resignation of Somali Judge Abdulqawi Yusuf.

She will serve until Feb. 5, 2027.

Yusuf resigned on Sept. 30, nearly two years before the scheduled end of his term as a member, which was set to expire Feb. 5.

The elections for a regular nine-year term running from 2027 to 2036 will take place in New York in November 2026. The candidates will again be required to secure an absolute majority in both the General Assembly and the Security Council.