In a noteworthy display of the ongoing divisions at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), a Russian judge lost re-election, reflecting the global opposition to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Kirill Gevorgian, the incumbent Vice-President of the ICJ, supported by China, was defeated by Bogdan-Lucian Aurescu of Romania.
Simultaneously, Kesia-Mbe Mindua of Congo, endorsed solely by his country and China, lost to Dire Tladi from South Africa.
The elections aimed to fill five vacancies on the 15-member ICJ, where judges serve nine-year terms. Hilary Charlesworth of Australia was re-elected, while Sarah Hull Cleveland of the US secured a seat, succeeding retiring American Joan Donoghue, the current President of the Court.
The candidates needed a simple majority for election. Juan Manuel Gomez Robledo Verduzco of Mexico, with the highest number of votes in both the Council and the Assembly, and Cleveland, with the second-highest, were successful. Gevorgian received 77 votes in the Assembly and five in the Council's fifth round. Mindua garnered only two votes in the Council and 65 in the Assembly.
Traditionally, judgeships follow regional and national patterns, with permanent Security Council members often having representation. Notably, this election sees neither the UK nor Russia represented on the ICJ bench.
(With Agency Inputs)
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