Uganda’s Judge Julia Sebutinde has been elected as the new vice president of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, Netherlands. This appointment comes after her recent controversial ruling against emergency measures sought by South Africa regarding the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
Judge Sebutinde’s decision to vote against all six emergency measures proposed by South Africa has sparked debate within the international community. She was one of only two judges on the 17-member ICJ panel to issue a dissenting opinion. Despite criticism and social media scrutiny, the ICJ announced her election as vice president for a three-year term, indicating a vote of confidence in her leadership.
Lebanon-born judge Nawaf Salam will succeed Joan Donoghue as ICJ judge-president. Judge Sebutinde, a seasoned ICJ judge with over a decade of experience, has previously presided over high-profile war crime trials, including the prosecution of former Liberian President Charles Taylor.