Ugandan Judge Julia Sebutinde is set to become the new president of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
This follows the resignation of the ICJ president, Judge Nawaf Salam with effect from today, 14 January 2025.
Judge Nawaf’s term as a member and president of the court was due to expire on February, 5, 2027.
A statement by the International Court of Justice, in accordance with Article 14 of the Statute of the Court, it will be for the Security Council to fix the date for the election of his successor by the General Assembly and the Security Council.
As provided for by Article 15 of the Statute, the judge then elected will complete Judge Salam’s term as Member of the Court.
Judge Sebutinde as vice president of the International Court of Justice is therefore poised to become the president of the court.
Sebutinde last year rose to fame globally when she voted against all provisional measures that a UN court ordered Israel to undertake in a case brought by South Africa concerning the war in the Gaza Strip.
This followed a case in which South Africa dragged Israel to the Hague-based ICJ on Dec. 29 on charges of genocide against Palestinians.
Later, the ICJ found South Africa’s claim that Israel was committing genocide plausible.
The court issued an interim order urging Israel to stop obstructing aid deliveries into Gaza and improve the humanitarian situation.
However, Sebutinde voted against all six measures of the ICJ raising eyebrows around the world.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations.
It was established by the United Nations Charter in June 1945 and began its activities in April 1946.
The court is composed of 15 judges elected for a nine-year term by the General Assembly and the Security Council of the United Nations
