Professor Phoebe Okowa Re-Elected to ICJ for Full Nine-Year Term
Kenyan jurist Professor Phoebe Okowa has been re-elected to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), securing a full nine-year term on the United Nations’ highest judicial body.
Okowa won the contested seat after securing the required majorities in separate votes by the UN Security Council and General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
She defeated Sierra Leone’s Professor Charles Chernor Jalloh for the remaining seat, with reports indicating she received eight votes in the Security Council and 106 in the General Assembly, against Jalloh’s seven and 79, respectively.
Her new term will begin on February 6, 2027, and run until February 2036.
Kenya’s Diplomatic Campaign
Kenya ran an intensive diplomatic campaign to retain a seat on the court. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had, in the days preceding the vote, highlighted months of engagement with UN member states in support of Okowa’s candidature.
Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Korir Sing’Oei led the campaign, with the government presenting her legal experience and international standing as key reasons for her re-election.
“It is with immense pride that I welcome the election of Judge Phoebe Okowa to the International Court of Justice for the 2027-2036 term, and congratulate Judges from the UK, France, Singapore and Jordan on joining the Court. Judge Okowa’s election reflects the confidence of the international community in her capacity to serve the Court at this consequential time,” Sing’Oei said after the re-election.
“We deeply appreciate members of both the General Assembly and Security Council for their votes. We are equally indebted to Sierra Leone, Korea and Ecuador for withdrawing their candidatures after the third round and helping avoid a protracted electoral process. And to our teams supporting this campaign — thank you all.”
From Partial Term to Full Mandate
Okowa was first elected to the ICJ in November 2025 to fill the vacancy left by Somali judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf, who resigned. She was serving the remainder of his term, which was due to expire on February 5, 2027.
Her re-election now gives her a full nine-year mandate on the 15-member court.
Who Is Phoebe Okowa?
Okowa is a professor of public international law at Queen Mary University of London. She is an expert in international law and has worked as counsel and adviser in international legal disputes.
She previously served on the United Nations International Law Commission, becoming the first African woman elected to the body. The commission contributes to the development and codification of international law.
Her appointment to the ICJ in 2025 made her the first Kenyan to serve on the court and one of the few women to hold a position on the bench.
What the ICJ Does
The International Court of Justice, based in The Hague, Netherlands, is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations.
It hears disputes between states and issues advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorised UN institutions and agencies. It is distinct from the International Criminal Court, which prosecutes individuals accused of serious international crimes.
The court has 15 judges elected independently by the UN General Assembly and Security Council. Candidates must secure an absolute majority in both bodies to be elected.
Judges serve nine-year terms and may seek re-election. They sit in their individual capacity and do not represent their home countries.
What This Means for Kenya
Okowa’s re-election ensures Kenya will retain representation on the court through 2036, placing a Kenyan jurist at the centre of international legal proceedings for another nine years.