Prof Phoebe Okowa is Kenya’s candidate for the International Court of Justice.
Prof Phoebe Okowa won a General Assembly majority but needs more Security Council support to secure a seat on the world court.
Kenya’s candidate, Prof Phoebe Okowa, faces an ICJ second ballot after missing the required majority in the United Nations Security Council. However, she secured an absolute majority in the General Assembly during Tuesday’s opening round.
Okowa received six votes in the 15-member Security Council, two below the eight needed for election. Four other candidates won sufficient support in both UN organs, leaving one seat unresolved.
ICJ second ballot follows split results
The Security Council convened a second meeting for another vote on the remaining seat. Meanwhile, the General Assembly also moved to a further round of voting.
Article 10 of the International Court of Justice Statute requires an absolute majority in both organs. Each votes independently, so a candidate must win sufficient support in both to secure election.
Okowa therefore needs at least two additional Security Council votes to reach its threshold. Her General Assembly majority alone cannot secure Kenya’s candidate a place on the world court.
The election covers five seats whose current holders’ terms end on February 5, 2027. Successful candidates will begin nine-year terms on February 6, 2027.
Four candidates secure seats in opening round
Dapo Akande of the United Kingdom and François Alabrune of France secured majorities in both organs. Jordan’s Mahmoud Daifallah Hmoud and Singapore’s Rena Lee also cleared both thresholds.
In the Security Council, Akande received 11 votes, while Alabrune and Lee each attracted 13. Hmoud secured 10 votes.
Ecuador’s Marcelo Vázquez Bermúdez also passed the Security Council threshold, receiving nine votes. South Korea’s Jin Hyun Paik received seven, one more than Okowa.
Kenya had mounted an extensive diplomatic campaign for Okowa ahead of the election. Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei said last week that months of engagement culminated in a final appeal in New York.
Sing’Oei said Kenya had highlighted Okowa’s qualifications and experience for service on the court. He also called for a bench that reflects key principles of international law.
