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Why East African lawyers' body is relocating landmark 30th annual conference from Tanzania to Ethiopia
EALS President Ramadhan Abubakar
Arusha. The East Africa Law Society (EALS) is relocating its landmark 30th Annual Conference and General Meeting from Tanzania to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The EALS President Ramadhan Abubakar said in a statement on Monday, June 23, 2025 that the decision was reached during the EALS Governing Council meeting held on June 16, 2025.
The Council cited the prevailing electoral environment in Tanzania and associated logistical uncertainties as key reasons for the move.
“The proximity of the general elections has introduced practical and procedural uncertainties. In the interest of safeguarding the quality, safety, and inclusivity of the conference, we have made the decision to move the venue to Addis Ababa,” said Abubakar.
He said that while the Society had looked forward to celebrating its 30th anniversary in Tanzania, the timing of the polls posed risks to planning and broad-based participation.
Tanzania is one of the EALS’s founding members.
The EALS Annual Conference is the region’s leading legal forum, attracting over 800 participants including judges, lawyers, academics, corporate counsels, regulators and policymakers from across East Africa and beyond.
This year’s edition is particularly significant as it marks three decades since the establishment of EALS in 1995.
Mr Abubakar noted that the relocation to Ethiopia coincides with the Society’s efforts to expand its continental footprint. The move also aligns with the formal admission of the Ethiopian Federal Advocates Association (EFAA) into EALS membership—further cementing Ethiopia’s rising influence in the region’s legal affairs.
“Addis Ababa, as the diplomatic capital of Africa, provides a fitting and strategic venue for our 30th anniversary celebrations. We are confident it will offer a secure and vibrant space for deliberation and collaboration,” he said.
