Sierra Leone’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay Esq., has called for stronger African solidarity, fairer representation in international institutions and renewed commitment to international law as a means of peacefully resolving disputes.
Mr. Sesay made the call on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at the Foreign Service Academy in Tower Hill, Freetown, where he delivered a keynote address on the “Role of the International Court of Justice in the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes in Africa.”
The address was delivered on behalf of Vice-President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, who was unable to attend due to an urgent engagement.
Against the backdrop of rising geopolitical tensions, armed conflicts and growing concerns over the effectiveness of multilateral institutions, the Attorney-General stressed that smaller States, particularly African countries, have a strong interest in preserving a rules-based international order.
He highlighted the important role of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in providing States with a peaceful alternative to confrontation, noting that African countries have increasingly relied on international law and judicial processes to settle complex disputes.
Mr. Sesay cited cases involving Burkina Faso and Mali, Libya and Chad, as well as Cameroon and Nigeria, as examples of African States choosing judicial settlement over armed confrontation.
He noted that at least 37 contentious cases have originated from Africa, with West African countries making a significant contribution to the Court’s work.
“The Court cannot eliminate disagreement between States. Its importance lies in giving States another option: to meet as sovereign equals before a court rather than as adversaries on a battlefield,” he said.
The Attorney-General also advocated greater and more equitable African representation in key international institutions, particularly the United Nations Security Council and the ICJ.
He referenced Sierra Leone’s leadership under President Julius Maada Bio through the C-10 initiative, arguing that West Africa deserves representation on the ICJ bench.
However, Mr. Sesay emphasized that the push for equitable representation must be accompanied by merit and competence.
“We are not arguing for geography instead of merit. We are arguing that excellence and equitable representation can and should go together,” he stated.
He expressed appreciation to Ghana, Nigeria and other West African countries for their support for Sierra Leone’s candidature for the ICJ.
The Attorney-General subsequently appealed to African States, other small States and the wider international community to support the candidature of Professor Dr. Charles Jalloh for the International Court of Justice.
He said Sierra Leone’s candidature was consistent with the country’s longstanding commitment to international justice, multilateralism and the rule of law.
Mr. Sesay pointed to Sierra Leone’s historic role in the establishment of the Special Court for Sierra Leone, its service on the United Nations Security Council and its participation in international climate proceedings as evidence of the country’s sustained contribution to international justice and multilateral cooperation.
He argued that calls for greater African representation in global institutions must be matched by concrete support for qualified African jurists.
“We cannot call for greater African representation and then hesitate to put forward our own globally renowned jurists to serve,” he said.
In his concluding remarks, Mr. Sesay called for stronger solidarity among African and small States, stressing that international law, credible institutions and multilateral cooperation remain critical to protecting their interests.
He summed up his appeal with the message, “Africa Must Support Africa.”
Describing the International Court of Justice as a cornerstone of the international rule of law, the Attorney-General urged States to continue supporting peaceful dispute resolution and credible international institutions as essential safeguards for global peace and stability.
