JUDGE Julia Sebutinde, a judge from Uganda sitting at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has found herself as a subject of scorn after she voted against all provisional measures to prevent genocide in Palestine.
Many Africas took to social media and attacked Sebutinde who, along with Israeli judge Aharon Barak, were the only two, among the 17 judges, to vote against South Africa’s request that the ICJ must, in its preliminary ruling, order a ceasefire. Sebutined voted against all of the provisional measures made by the court, while Barak voted in favour of two provisional measures.
In an overwhelming majority judgement, the ICJ ruled that Israel must:
- Stop attacks on Palestinians.
- Halt incitement against Palestinians as a group.
- Ensure that humanitarian aid reaches Palestine.
- Submit a response to the court within one month to show compliance.
South Africans and Palestinians, supported by many across Africa, have hailed the ICJ’s provisional ruling.
On social media platforms, many Africans expressed their anger at Sebutinde. On platform X, formerly known as Twitter, Malick Doucoure said: “Julie Sebutinde, I hope you that Zionists wanted to colonise Uganda, at one point. In another timeline, it could be you and your family under the rubble.
Bine Suleiman said Sebutinde’s vote was disgraceful to humanity and the African continent.
Amwonga Khalwale said the Ugandan judge was a disgrace to Africa and Africans. “She has humiliated Africans before the whole world. She’s betrayed the conscience of Africa on the Palestinian question,” he said.
Victor Ndyabagye said: “ It is remarkable that Israel Judge Aharon Barak voted in favour of two provisional measures. It is also regrettable that the ICJ judge Julia Sebutinde from Uganda was the only judge to vote against all of them!”
Adonia Ayebare, Uganda’s Ambassador to the United Nations, said, “Justice Sebutinde’s ruling at the International Court of Justice does not represent the Government of Uganda’s position on the situation in Palestine.”
