Dr Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf elected to international court of justice

[General Duke]

Press release: Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf ( Somalia) elected to the International Court of Justice

Posted to the MOL November 11, 2008, 10:20 am

 

 

The Canadian Friends of Somalia (CFS) and Som-Can Institute for Research and Development congratulated Judge Dr. Abdulqawi A. Yusuf on being elected somali's first judge to the International Court of Justice. He was one of five judges - the others being from Jordan, France, Brazil and United Kingdom- elected by the United Nations to its highest judicial authority.

 

Dr. Abdulqawi election must accelerate the advancement of international law and reinforce justice and accountability, which are essential to preventing egregious human rights violations, international disputes and meeting the UN objectives of development, security and protection of human rights.

 

Farah Aw-Osman said it was a "a truly significant achievement" for Prof. Abdulqawi and Somalia. We genuinely hope that during his tenure, the International Court of Justice can give play to a more important role in peacefully resolving international conflicts and in safeguarding the world peace.

 

Dr. Abdulqawi A. Yusuf, a Somali national, is a prominent public international lawyer who is currently Legal Adviser, Director of the Office of International Standards and Legal Affairs for UNESCO.

 

His previous positions include: Legal Advisor (1994-1998) and Assistant Director General for African Affairs, UNIDO, Vienna (1998-2001), Representative and Head of the New York office of UNCTAD (1992-1994) and Chief of the Legal Policies Service of UNCTAD( 1987-1992), Lecturer in law at the Somali National University (1974-1981) and at the University of Geneva(1981-1983). Somali delegate to the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Seas (1975-1980). Dr. Yusuf has also been guest Professor and Lecturer at a number of Universities and Institutes in Switzerland, Italy, Greece and France.

 

He is the Founder and General Editor of the African Yearbook of International Law and is a Member of the Institut de droit international (Geneva). Dr. Yusuf is also one of the founder's of the African Foundation for International Law as well as the Chair person of its Executive Committee. He is the author of several books and numerous articles on various aspects of international law as well as articles and op-ed pieces in newspapers on current African and Somali affairs. Dr.Yusuf is also a member of the editorial advisory board of the Asian Yearbook of International Law, and a member of the Thessaloniki Institute of Public International Law and International Relations curatorium. He is currently serving as a judge ad hoc at the International Court of Justice.