Diplomacy
EALS CEO David Sigano on East Africa’s Legal Divide and Ethiopia’s EAC Prospects
The Reporter · 5 hours ago · Read the Full Story on The Reporter
AI SUMMARY
East Africa Law Society CEO David Sigano discusses regional legal barriers, the push to revive cross-border legal practice bills, and Ethiopia’s potential accession to the East African Community.
- The East Africa Law Society represents over 50,000 lawyers across eight regional bar associations, including the Ethiopian Federal Advocates Association which joined in 2024.
- The EALS was established in 1995 before the revival of the East African Community in 1999.
- David Sigano stated that the EALS is connecting lawyers across East Africa faster than regional legal frameworks can keep pace.
- The EAC Cross-Border Practice Bill, introduced in 2014, stalled due to resistance over market dominance concerns, but the EALS is working to revive it.
- The EALS is also pursuing a Mutual Recognition Agreement to allow lawyers' professional qualifications to be recognized across EAC member states without retraining.
- Sigano identified the unpredictability of laws, frequent tax changes, conflicts, non-tariff barriers, and the absence of a regional trade remedies committee as primary deterrents to investment in East Africa.
- Key growing investment sectors in the region include infrastructure and energy, featuring projects such as the Bishoftu International Airport, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, and the East African Crude Oil Pipeline.
- Sigano asserts that Ethiopia meets the geographical and other membership requirements set out in the East African Community Treaty.
- Joining the EAC could provide Ethiopia with benefits from the Customs Union and Common Market, helping boost sectors like leather goods exports.
- Language barriers, specifically legislation primarily available in Amharic, and restrictive legal frameworks remain challenges for foreign investors and outside practitioners operating in Ethiopia.
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