East Africa Law Society Moves Lawyers Conference From Tanzania Over Safety Concerns
Tanzania has suffered a significant diplomatic setback after the East Africa Law Society (EALS) announced it would relocate its 30th Annual Conference and General Meeting from Zanzibar to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, citing safety concerns.
In a statement released Monday, EALS President Ramadhan Abubakar said the decision was reached after “careful deliberation” over the political climate in Tanzania, which is set to hold general elections around the same time as the planned event.
“While Zanzibar had initially been selected as the host, recent developments—including the upcoming general elections in the United Republic of Tanzania scheduled around the same period—have necessitated a reconsideration,” the communiqué read.
The EALS, East Africa’s largest legal body with over 45,000 members across the region, said it could not proceed with the event in Tanzania without firm security guarantees. The Governing Council met on June 16, 2025, and opted to move the conference to Ethiopia to ensure the safety of all delegates.
Though the communiqué avoided direct criticism of Tanzanian authorities, the relocation follows mounting scrutiny over the country’s human rights record and treatment of civil society groups. The decision comes weeks after high-profile Kenyan figures, including former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga and politician Martha Karua, were deported from Tanzania.
Adding fuel to the fire were recent allegations by activist Boniface Mwangi, who claimed he was tortured while in detention in Tanzania. His account sparked widespread outrage and renewed calls for accountability in Tanzania’s law enforcement and judicial systems.
President Samia Suluhu’s administration has faced increasing criticism from international human rights observers for perceived intolerance toward dissent, raising concerns among regional organizations planning high-level engagements in the country.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK), a founding member of EALS, is among the stakeholders directly affected by the change of venue. Several Kenyan jurists have historically held senior positions in EALS and are expected to attend the landmark 30th anniversary event.
Reacting to the development, Nairobi Senator welcomed the move, saying, “Thanks to the leadership of the East Africa Law Society led by President Rama Abubakar for this bold decision to strip Tanzania of hosting rights for the EALS conference. I’m proud to have voted for you.”
The 30th EALS Conference is now expected to take place in Addis Ababa later this year, bringing together legal minds from across East Africa to discuss issues of law, governance, and justice in the region.
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East Africa Law Society Moves Lawyers Conference From Tanzania Over Safety Concerns