ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi has travelled to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to participate in the 49th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Executive Council, where he will spearhead Kenya’s campaign for two prestigious international judicial positions.
The two-day ministerial meeting, scheduled for July 28 and 29, will bring together foreign ministers from across the continent to deliberate on key issues affecting Africa, including governance, continental integration, peace and security, institutional reforms and the continent’s engagement with global partners.
A key objective of Mudavadi’s visit is to mobilise African support for Kenya’s candidates seeking election to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC) for the 2027–2036 term.
Kenya has nominated Judge Phoebe Okowa for election to the ICJ and Justice Njoki Ndung’u for election to the ICC.
According to a statement from the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, Mudavadi will use bilateral meetings and ministerial consultations on the sidelines of the summit to lobby African countries to back the two candidates.
“The PCS visit will be to rally continental support for Kenya’s candidates seeking election to two of the world’s highest judicial institutions. During ministerial engagements and bilateral consultations, he will campaign for Judge Phoebe Okowa, Kenya’s candidate for election to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for the 2027–2036 term, and Justice Njoki Ndung’u, Kenya’s candidate for election to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for the same term,” the statement said.
Before the Executive Council meeting, Mudavadi is also scheduled to participate in the Ministerial Committee on African Candidatures within the International System, where Kenya represents the Eastern Africa region alongside Uganda.
The committee is mandated to coordinate Africa’s support for qualified candidates seeking election to international organisations and judicial institutions.
The Executive Council meeting follows the 52nd Ordinary Session of the Permanent Representatives’ Committee (PRC), held in June 2026, and will also prepare the African Union for the 8th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting between the AU, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Regional Mechanisms (RMs), scheduled for October 4, 2026, in El Alamein, Egypt.
The government expressed confidence that both Kenyan nominees possess the experience and qualifications required to serve at the highest levels of international justice.
“The Government of Kenya is confident that both candidates possess exceptional judicial credentials, extensive international legal experience, and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law, making them well suited to serve the international community,” the statement added.
It noted that their election would strengthen Africa’s representation within global judicial institutions while reinforcing Kenya’s longstanding contribution to the development of international law.
On the sidelines of the AU meeting, Mudavadi is expected to hold a series of bilateral meetings with foreign ministers and senior government officials from across the continent.
The discussions will focus on strengthening diplomatic relations, expanding trade and investment, promoting regional peace and security, building support for Kenya’s judicial candidatures and advancing the African Union’s institutional reform agenda, including sustainable financing for the continental body.
The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs said Kenya remains committed to promoting African unity, effective multilateralism and African-led solutions to continental challenges.