Dapo Akande elected to International Court of Justice

Dapo Akande, the United Kingdom’s candidate, has been elected a judge of the International Court of Justice following a United Nations vote, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office announced. His nine-year term is scheduled to begin February 6, 2027. The election took place through voting in the UN General Assembly and Security Council. Akande was among four candidates reported to have secured the required majorities in both bodies in the first round. Reports said he received 11 votes in the 15-member Security Council, where eight were required, though the tally was not accompanied by an underlying voting record in the reporting. The UK government said Akande’s election restores a British judge’s presence on the court after a nine-year absence. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said the government supported his campaign, which was backed by the prime minister, ministers and British diplomats. Akande said he would carry out his duties independently and decide cases through an impartial application of the law. The court’s judges serve in an independent judicial capacity and do not represent their governments. The International Court of Justice, based...