NEW YORK, 3rd November 2026 – In a dramatic act of continental solidarity at the United Nations, Sierra Leone has withdrawn the candidacy of Professor Charles Chernor Jalloh for the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and thrown its full weight behind Judge Phoebe Okowa of Kenya, a move that helped Africa retain its seat on the world court.
The announcement was made on Monday 3rd November at UN Headquarters by Sierra Leone’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Michael Imran Kanu, on behalf of the Government of President Julius Maada Bio.
“I take the floor on behalf of the Republic of Sierra Leone to announce that my Government has decided to withdraw the candidature of Professor Charles Chernor Jalloh for election to the International Court of Justice, and to give its full support to Judge Phoebe Okowa of the Republic of Kenya,” Amb. Kanu told the General Assembly.
Why Sierra Leone Stepped Down
The 2026 ICJ election was for five seats on the 15-member court, whose terms begin on 6th February 2027 and run for nine years until 2036. Nine candidates contested, including two Africans – Prof. Jalloh and Prof. Okowa.
Under ICJ rules, a candidate must win an absolute majority in both the 193-member General Assembly (97 votes) and the 15-member Security Council (8 votes) at the same time.
In the first round on 3rd November, four judges were elected: Dapo Akande (UK), François Alabrune (France), Mahmoud Hmoud (Jordan) and Rena Lee (Singapore). One seat remained.
The second round became a deadlock. Okowa had 89 votes in GA, but only 4 in Security Council. Jalloh had 30 votes in GA and 30 in SC – splitting Africa’s vote. Peru’s candidate Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza was also in the race.
Sierra Leone warned that a divided Africa risked losing the seat entirely to a non-African.
“If Africa’s votes stay divided, the continent risks losing even the one seat now open to it, and falling further below its already inadequate share. Sierra Leone will not let that happen. Saving Africa’s seat matters more than any one national candidature. Our decision puts the continent first,” Amb. Kanu said.
What Ambassador Kanu Said About Jalloh
Amb. Kanu paid glowing tribute to Prof. Jalloh, calling him one of the best brains Sierra Leone has ever produced.
“We did not take this decision lightly. Professor Jalloh is one of the finest international lawyers of his generation. He was endorsed by ECOWAS, the African Union and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and co-nominated by thirteen Member States from every region of the world,” he said.
“To each delegation that placed its trust in him, Sierra Leone offers its deepest gratitude. That trust was well placed. Professor Jalloh’s work for international law will continue.”
Prof. Charles Chernor Jalloh, from Kenema, is a Professor of International Law at Florida International University, USA, former member of the International Law Commission (ILC), former prosecutor and scholar who worked at the Special Court for Sierra Leone. He is widely published on international criminal law and African perspectives on justice.
Who Is Judge Phoebe Okowa?
Judge Phoebe Nyawade Okowa, 61, is Kenya’s top international lawyer.
– First African woman ever elected to the International Law Commission (ILC) in 2021
– Professor of Public International Law at Queen Mary University of London
– Elected to the ICJ in November 2025 to complete the term of Somali Judge Abdulqawi Yusuf who resigned, and became the first Kenyan and 8th woman in history to sit on the ICJ bench
– Known for cases on environment, climate change and law of the sea
Sierra Leone described her as a unifying candidate: “She brings deep scholarship, practical experience before the Court, and a commitment to the integrity of international law. Her election would also strengthen the representation of women on the bench.”
The Final Result – Africa Wins
After Sierra Leone, South Korea (Prof. Jin-Hyun Paik) and Ecuador (Marcelo Vázquez-Bermúdez) withdrew, the contest was left between Kenya and Peru.
In the final third round on Monday night:
– General Assembly: Phoebe Okowa – 183 votes, Peru – 2 votes, 6 abstentions
– Security Council: Phoebe Okowa – 13 votes, Peru – 0 votes
Okowa was declared elected for a full nine-year term (2027-2036). Kenya’s Foreign Ministry, led by PS Korir Sing’Oei, thanked Sierra Leone for the sacrifice: “We are equally indebted to Sierra Leone, Korea and Ecuador for withdrawing their candidatures.”
Why Africa’s Representation Matters to Sierra Leone
In his statement, Ambassador Kanu used the moment to press Africa’s wider case:
“Sierra Leone has said many times that Africa’s two candidates were not competing for one seat. We still believe that. Africa has 54 Member States, more than a quarter of this Organization, and holds only three of the fifteen seats on the Court. That is twenty percent of the bench. No other region is as underrepresented. The status quo is unfair, and it must change.”
He cited Article 9 of the ICJ Statute, which says the Court must represent the main forms of civilization and principal legal systems of the world.
“Africa’s common law, civil law, Islamic law and customary traditions belong on that bench. So do the African States that have brought their disputes to the Court time and again,” he said.
What This Means for Sierra Leone
This is the second time in a year Sierra Leone has shown leadership at the UN on international justice. As a non-permanent member of the Security Council (2024-2025), Freetown championed reform of global governance.
Diplomats in New York say the withdrawal, though painful, boosted Sierra Leone’s image as a pan-African leader willing to put continent before self. Many are now urging Government to nominate Prof. Jalloh again in 2028 when another African seat will fall vacant.
Closing his speech, Amb. Kanu appealed: “Supporting her is not a favour to Africa. It is the right thing to do for the Court, for fairness, and for the authority of international law. Africa will continue to press for the fair representation it is owed.”
