Congratulations on the one hand, “ serious concerns ” the other. There are numerous international reactions, two days after the judgment of the International Court of Justice calling on Israel to prevent any possible act of “genocide”. Among them, that of the Ugandan Republic. In a press release published yesterday, Kampala notably recalls its call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza… and disapproves of the vote of Julia Sebutinde, Ugandan judge at the ICJ.
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“ The opinion of Judge Julia Sebutinde does not in any way reflect the position of the government of the Republic of Uganda “. Here, in a few words, is how Kampala disapproved of the magistrate’s vote.
Uganda Gov’t issues statement on International Court of Justice (ICJ) order in respect to South Africa vs Israel over Gaza
Clarifies that Justice Julia Sebutinde’s position is her own individual opinion and does not in any way reflect Uganda’s position. #SoftPowerNews #ICJRuling pic.twitter.com/0qfvtNkjBg
— SoftPower News (@SoftPowerNews) January 27, 2024
On January 26, Julia Sebutinde was one of only two judges, with the Israeli judge, to vote against the decision of the ICJ. In her opinion, she maintains in particular that “ there is no indication of genocidal intent on the part of Israel” in Gaza. In its opinion, the International Court of Justice calls on Israel to prevent any act of genocide and does not order a ceasefire. For the record, on January 11 and 12, the ICJ, seized by South Africa, heard the pleadings of South Africa and Israel to rule on possible acts of “genocide” in the Gaza Strip .
Also read: live on January 26Gaza: ICJ calls on Israel for “immediate measures” in favor of humanitarian aid
THE ICJ judges are 15 in number. Their candidacy is presented by the States of which they are nationals and they are elected following a double vote of the General Assembly and the UN Security Council.
A long international career
First African woman to sit on the International Court of Justice, Julia Sebutinde, born 69 years ago in the Ugandan capital, has began his career in 1978 as “ state attorney general and advisor » at the Ugandan Ministry of Justiceafter obtaining a law degree in 1977 from Makerere University of Uganda. She then served as a judge at the Special Court for Sierra Leone between 2005 and 2011. In this capacity, she had to judge Charles Taylor, first former African head of state to appear before international justice for war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder, rape and recruitment of child soldiers.
The judge was then elected in 2011 to the highest bench of the UN. She was re-elected ten years later.
Today she faces numerous criticisms, including that of Uganda’s ambassador to the United Nations. In a tweet, the latter affirms that Kampala’s support for the Palestinian people is solid. “ Judge Sebutinde’s position is her own », Underlines the press release.
Justice Sebutinde ruling at the International Court of Justice does not represent the Government of Uganda’s position on the situation in Palestine. She has previously voted against Uganda’s case on DRC. Uganda’s support for the plight of the Palestinian people has been expressed…
— Adonia Ayebare (@adoniaayebare) January 26, 2024
The ambassador recalls that Julia Sebutinde had already taken a position against her country in a previous case brought before the ICJ: that of the damage caused by Uganda in the DRC during the second Congo war, between 1998 and 2003.
Read alsoICJ orders Uganda to pay $325 million to DRC