Tell me a bio of Abdulqawi Yusuf.

Include key facts about their life, career, achievements, and impact.

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Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf is a Somali jurist and the current President of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). He was born on April 30, 1958, in Mogadishu, Somalia.

**Early Life and Education**

Abdulqawi Yusuf received his primary and secondary education in Somalia. He then pursued higher education in the United Kingdom, where he earned a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree from the University of London in 1982. He later earned a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree from the University of London in 1983 and a Doctor of Laws (Ph.D.) degree from the University of London in 1990.

**Career**

Abdulqawi Yusuf began his career as a lecturer at the University of London in 1983. He later worked as a research fellow at the University of London from 1985 to 1987. In 1987, he joined the Somali Ministry of Justice as a senior legal advisor. He served in this position until 1991, when he became the Minister of Justice of Somalia.

**International Career**

In 1993, Abdulqawi Yusuf joined the United Nations as a senior legal advisor. He worked in various capacities within the UN, including as a senior legal advisor to the UN Secretary-General and as a member of the UN's International Law Commission. In 2003, he was elected as a judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), where he served for 18 years. On February 3, 2021, he was elected as the President of the ICJ, a position he still holds.

**Achievements and Impact**

Abdulqawi Yusuf has made significant contributions to international law and the ICJ. As a judge, he has presided over several high-profile cases, including the maritime border dispute between Nicaragua and Colombia and the border dispute between Burkina Faso and Niger. As President of the ICJ, he has played a key role in promoting the rule of law and upholding international justice.

**Awards and Recognition**

Abdulqawi Yusuf has received several awards and honors for his contributions to international law and the ICJ. These include the Order of the Somali National Hero, the Order of the Somali National Medal, and the United Nations' Dag Hammarskjöld Medal.

**Legacy**

Abdulqawi Yusuf's legacy is one of dedication to the promotion of international justice and the rule of law. As President of the ICJ, he has worked tirelessly to uphold the principles of international law and to promote the ICJ as a key institution in the international community. His contributions to international law and the ICJ have had a lasting impact on the development of international justice and the promotion of peace and stability around the world.
Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf is a Somali judge, serving as the President of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) from 2018 to 2021. Born on August 30, 1950, in the Kismayo area of Somalia, he holds a Somali and a Mauritian passport.

**Early Life and Education**

Yusuf's early life and education details are not widely known. However, it's reported that he studied law at the University of Hamburg in Germany and later earned a Ph.D. from the University of Fribourg in Switzerland.

**Career**

Abdulqawi Yusuf started his career in the legal field in the early 1970s. He practiced law and later became a law professor. His teaching assignments took him to various universities, including the University of Pisa in Italy and the International Islamic University in Pakistan. In the 1980s and 1990s, Yusuf gained experience as a judge in the international courts of Somalia and the East African Community.

**International Court of Justice (ICJ)**

In 2009, Abdulqawi Yusuf was elected as a judge of the ICJ by the United Nations General Assembly. During his tenure, he played a crucial role in several landmark cases, such as the issues relating to the right to trial, the transfer of Yemeni prisoners held in Guantanamo Bay, and maritime boundary disputes between Colombia and Nicaragua. His appointment as President of the ICJ in 2018 marked a significant milestone in his career, as he became the first African to hold this office. He served in this position until 2021.

**Achievements and Impact**

Abdulqawi Yusuf's contributions to international law and the administration of justice are significant. Some of his key achievements and impact include:

1. **Promoting African interests**: As the first African President of the ICJ, Yusuf's leadership helped to promote the interests of the African continent in the Court.
2. **Landmark cases**: He played a crucial role in several landmark cases, setting important precedents in international law.
3. **Strengthening international justice**: Yusuf's tenure as President of the ICJ helped to strengthen the institution and promote its role in promoting peace and stability around the world.
4. **Upholding the rule of law**: Throughout his career, Yusuf has been a strong advocate for the rule of law, upholding the principles of justice and equality in the international community.

**Legacy**

Abdulqawi Yusuf's legacy extends beyond his accomplishments as a judge and president of the ICJ. His commitment to upholding the rule of law and promoting international justice has inspired generations of lawyers and judges. His impact will be felt for years to come, as he continues to contribute to the development of international law and the administration of justice around the world.