At the invitation of Permanent Representative of Suriname, Chair of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States (GRULAC) at the United Nations for the month of March, Professor Charles Chernor Jalloh briefed on his nomination by Sierra Leone’s National Group and endorsement by the Government of Sierra Leone as the country’s candidate for election to the International Court of Justice for the 2027-2036 term.
Professor Jalloh was introduced by Sierra Leone’s Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative for Legal Affairs, H.E. Ms. Eddinia Michaela Swallow. In her introduction, Ambassador Swallow reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s strong and unwavering support for Professor Jalloh.
Following a presentation on the Court’s functions, Professor Jalloh shared his vision for the ICJ, which includes the view that the Court must continue to “settle disputes in accordance with international law, consistent with its statute.” He emphasized that the Court must maintain this role, particularly when addressing politically sensitive issues such as allegations of genocide or the use of force in international law.
Professor Jalloh emphasized the fundamental values guiding his candidacy, stating: “Integrity means possessing the high moral character required to serve as a judge. Independence means being free from all external influence, whether governmental or private. Impartiality means approaching each case without bias and in a neutral manner. If elected, I will be guided by these core values and will strive to understand and respect the views of all parties before the Court, even, especially, when I may initially disagree with their interpretations of the law.”
Currently serving as Professor of International Law and the Richard A. Hausler Chair in Law at the University of Miami Law School, Professor Jalloh has an extensive career in both academia and international law. Before transitioning to academia in 2009 as an Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh Law School, he practiced law at both international and domestic levels, including at the Special Court for Sierra Leone and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. He has advised States and international organizations on a broad range of international legal issues and has represented clients before various international courts and tribunals. A prolific scholar, he has published extensively in the field of international law and serves on the editorial board of the American Journal of International Law. Professor Jalloh is also an award-winning educator, recognized for his research with numerous prestigious honors, including the Fulbright-Lund Distinguished Chair in Public International Law at Lund University in Sweden and the Distinguished University Professor designation at Florida International University.
