Sierra Leone withdraws Jalloh as Okowa is elected to the ICJ
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Sierra Loaded
Sierra Leone withdrew the candidacy of its jurist Charles Chernor Jalloh and backed Kenyan Phoebe Okowa, who was ultimately elected to the International Court of Justice. She secured eight votes in the Security Council and 106 in the General Assembly for a nine-year term starting on 6 February 2027, according to Sierra Loaded.
Kenyan candidate Phoebe Okowa was elected to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on 3 November 2026, after Sierra Leone withdrew the candidacy of Charles Chernor Jalloh and Freetown backed her rival. The vote took place in the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council, Sierra Loaded reports.
Okowa secured eight votes in the Security Council and 106 in the General Assembly, compared with seven and 79 for Jalloh. The two bodies had failed to agree on the fifth seat in the first round, leading to further votes. Sierra Leone said its withdrawal was intended to consolidate African support and preserve the continent’s representation on the court.
The Kenyan jurist will begin a nine-year term on 6 February 2027. Four other candidates had already secured the required majority in both bodies: Dapo Akande of the United Kingdom, François Alabrune of France, Mahmoud Daifallah Hmoud of Jordan, and Rena Lee of Singapore.
On 3 November, Sierra Leone announced its support for Phoebe Okowa for the African seat on the ICJ. The vote subsequently decided between Okowa and Jalloh for the last vacant seat.
