Permanent Mission of St. Kitts and Nevis to the UN welcomes Nigeria’s candidate for International Court of Justice as Federation intensifies African engagement

United Nations, New York (18th December 2024) – St. Kitts and Nevis was the first Caribbean port of call for Dr. Taoheed Olufemi Elias, Nigeria’s candidate for the International Court of Justice for the term 2027-2020. H.E Dr Mutryce Williams, Permanent Representative and Ambassador to the United Nations welcomed Judge Elias alongside Eustace T. Wallace, Minister Counselor and Mohamed L. Mahmud, Minister Counselor – both United Nations Elections Officers for their respective countries.

Dr. Williams underscored that, “for St. Kitts and Nevis it is stated policy of both the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister that we turn our geopolitical gaze to the countries and continent of Africa. This engagement represents that diplomatic directive, and the Permanent Mission is honoured to have been the first Caribbean country to host Judge Elians and to engage on critical issues ranging from climate justice, revitalizing multilateralism and pan-Africanism.”

Dr. Taoheed Olufemi Elias is currently Judge Ad Hoc at the International Court of Justice and has extensive experience as lawyer and leader in various international organizations, including serving at the level of a UN Assistant Secretary General, and as the Legal Adviser and Director at the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in the The Hague, the Netherlands.

Both countries pledged to increase their engagement across the United Nations heading into the new year.