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Sierra Leone has renewed its call for international support for Professor Charles C. Jalloh’s election to the International Court of Justice, the United Nations court that settles disputes between countries.
Information and Civic Education Minister Chernor Bah appealed while closing a symposium on the Court’s role in resolving disputes peacefully in Africa.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation organized the event with the Center for International Law and Policy in Africa. Government officials, diplomats, judges, lawyers, and civil society representatives attended.
Minister Bah said countries need strong and trusted international courts, particularly at a time of growing conflict and political division.
“Power alone favours the powerful,” he said. “Rules and credible institutions give every State a voice and a fair hearing.”
He noted that unresolved disagreements over borders, territory and natural resources can carry serious human and economic costs. Resolving such disputes through law allows countries to protect peace, rebuild relations and focus on development.
He pointed to Sierra Leone’s work on climate change before international courts, its recent service on the UN Security Council, its leadership of Africa’s campaign for Security Council reform and its active role in ECOWAS and the African Union.
“Sierra Leone may be small, but we are clear in purpose and consistent in principle,” he said. “We do not simply accept decisions made in international institutions. We help shape them.”
Professor Jalloh has received the support of ECOWAS and the African Union. His career combines legal scholarship, public service and international experience. He has represented Sierra Leone before international tribunals, served in a leadership role at the International Law Commission, taught and written extensively, and helped train African lawyers and scholars through CILPA.
Minister Bah called on countries represented at the symposium, Sierra Leone’s partners across Africa and the wider international community, to support Professor Jalloh.
He said Sierra Leone’s position was clear: countries should settle disputes through law, international institutions should reflect the people they serve, and Africa should play a leading role in them.
