The HAGUE . Prof. Phoebe Okowa has been elected as a Member of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United Nations.
Her election was announced Thursday by the ICJ’s official press statement.
“The General Assembly and the Security Council of the United Nations today elected Ms Phoebe Okowa as a Member of the International Court of Justice, with immediate effect,” said the statement.
This unanimous decision fills a critical vacancy at the Peace Palace in The Hague, where the Court adjudicates disputes between states and provides advisory opinions on international legal questions.
Of Kenyan nationality, Okowa succeeds Judge Abdulqawi A. Yusuf, a Somali jurist who resigned effective September 30, 2025, as detailed in the Court’s prior press release No. 2025/30. The statement emphasized the seamless transition: “Ms Phoebe Okowa succeeds Judge Abdulqawi A. Yusuf, who resigned as a Member of the Court with effect from 30 September 2025.”
Under Article 15 of the ICJ Statute, her tenure will cover the remainder of Yusuf’s term, ensuring continuity until its scheduled expiration.
“Pursuant to Article 15 of the Statute of the Court, Ms Phoebe Okowa will hold office for the remainder of her predecessor’s term, which was due to expire on 5 February 2027,” noted the statement.
This election process, governed by UN Charter Article 92 and the ICJ Statute, required a two-thirds majority in both the General Assembly and Security Council. Okowa’s selection reflects her esteemed reputation in public international law, particularly in areas like state responsibility, environmental law, and human rights.
Kenyan President William Ruto hailed the news as a “proud moment for our nation,” while Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei noted it as “a testament to Kenya’s commitment to multilateralism.”
Okowa’s journey to the ICJ is marked by academic excellence and trailblazing roles. Born on January 1, 1965, in Kericho, Kenya, she graduated top of her class with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree, First Class Honours, from the University of Nairobi in 1987. She pursued advanced studies at King’s College London, earning an LLM in 1988 and a PhD in 1993, focusing on international environmental law.
As Professor of Public International Law at Queen Mary University of London since 2003, Okowa serves as Director of Graduate Studies and has mentored generations of scholars. An advocate of the High Court of Kenya, she is fluent in English, Kiswahili, and Dholuo. Her scholarly contributions include co-editing the Oxford Monographs in International Law series and authoring influential works on third-party effects of state breaches.
In 2017, Okowa became the first African woman elected to the United Nations International Law Commission (ILC), where she contributed to codifying international norms on crimes against humanity and environmental protection. She has advised the UN, African Union, and NGOs on legal matters, blending academia with practice.
Recognized with the Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear (EBS) by Kenya, Okowa’s election elevates her to a bench of 15 judges from diverse nations, positioning her to shape precedents on issues vital to the Global South.