AU endorses Uganda’s Justice Balungi as Africa’s sole candidate for judicial seat on ICC bench

By Najibu Mulema

African Union (AU) has endorsed Uganda’s Justice Solomy Balungi Bossa, 61, as Africa’s sole candidate for a judicial seat on the International Criminal Court (ICC) bench.

Recently, Uganda nominated Court of Appeal Justice Bossa as its candidate for the post of judge of the International Criminal Court (ICC) whose elections will be held in December 2017. The nomination took place in Addis Ababa during the 28th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union.

Justice Bossa, who is competing against two other candidates from Benin and Lesotho, is a highly accomplished judge with over 27 years of legal and judicial work experience at national, regional and international level.She has considerable exposure and experience in international judicial practice, international human rights, international humanitarian law,international criminal law and constitutional law.

Her name was submitted to the African Union Commission (AUC) for early consideration by President Yoweri Museveni to allow her adequate time to campaign.

Last year, President Museveni crticised the ICC calling them a ‘bunch of useless people’ during his inaguration. Uganda has previously vowed to withdrawl from The Hague based court.