Tanzania has suffered a major diplomatic setback after it was stripped of the hosting rights for the 30th East Africa Law Society (EALS) Annual Conference and General Meeting, which was originally set to take place in Zanzibar later this year.
In a statement released on Monday, EALS President Ramadhan Abubakar confirmed the relocation of the prestigious legal gathering to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, citing safety concerns and the political climate in Tanzania ahead of its upcoming general elections.
“While Zanzibar had initially been selected as the host, recent developments—including the general elections in the United Republic of Tanzania scheduled around the same period—have necessitated a reconsideration,” read part of the communiqué.
The conference, which marks the EALS’s 30th anniversary, is one of the most influential gatherings in the region’s legal fraternity, representing over 45,000 legal professionals across East Africa. The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) is among its founding members.
The EALS Governing Council, during a meeting held on 16th June 2025, resolved to move the event after failing to secure firm safety assurances for delegates expected to attend. While the statement avoided direct criticism of Tanzanian authorities, it follows heightened international scrutiny of the country’s human rights record and treatment of civil society actors.
Tanzania was recently thrust into the spotlight following the controversial deportation of several Kenyan activists, including People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua and former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga. The situation escalated further after renowned Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi alleged torture during his detention in Tanzania—allegations that have drawn widespread condemnation.
The decision to relocate the EALS conference has sparked political reactions in Kenya, with Nairobi Senator expressing support for the move. “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 senator stated.
The Addis Ababa-hosted conference is expected to draw high-level legal minds, jurists, and policymakers from across the region and beyond.