Ethiopian Federal Advocates Association elects new new leadership, with President Tesfaye Derese, and Vice President Meseret Ayalew

Now is a moment for Ethiopia's lawyer to come together as a profession, strengthening their standards, protecting the independence of the Ethiopian Federal Advocates Association (EFAA) and ensuring every advocate can serve justice with confidence, dignity, and a deep sense of responsibility, says newly elected EFAA President Tesfaye Derese. 

"The future of our profession will not be shaped by any one individual, but by what we commit to together as a professional community," shared President Derese with Africa Legal today, after he was announced yesterday as the new leader of the EFAA.

The EFAA is a significant institution that has been able to build a huge influence in Ethiopia and in Africa in a short period of time, founding President Tewodros Getachew Tulu has said as he offered his sincere congratulations and warmest personal regards to the incoming new leadership.

The results of the EFAA Presidential and Executive Committee elections, held at the Eliana Grand Hotel, were announced on Sunday 14 December, with Mr Tesfaye Derese becoming the new President, Ms Meseret Ayalew becoming Vice President, and the seven-member Executive Committee for the EFAA now being:

• Mr Dawit Kidane
• Mr Nebiyu Mikru
• Ms Jemila Kibret
• Ms Beza Nigussie
• Mr Sewbesew Admasu
• Mr Kelemework Mideksa
• Mr Henok Challa

“As you prepare to enter the office of President and Executive committee, I want to extend my very best wishes for your success and the success of our association,” said Getachew, who in June was elected as President of The Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU). “I look forward to collaborating with the team to guarantee a flawless handover and efficient transfer of responsibilities. We need to maintain the momentum and possibly advance to highest peaks.”

The EFAA is the first-ever statutory bar in Ethiopian legal history, mobilising and regulating more than 7000 law firms and federal lawyers. Since the election results were announced yesterday, congratulations have flowed for the new President, Vice President, and Executive Committee.

New EFAA President Tesfaye Derese has more than 21 years of legal experience. He has expertise in corporate and commercial law, banking and finance, real estate, intellectual property, employment law, and litigation and dispute resolution. His election victory was described as a testament to the trust and confidence his legal peers have in him, with well wishes for the EFAA to reach new heights in promoting the rule of law, professional excellence, and access to justice for all Ethiopians.

Ahead of the elections, new Vice President Meseret Ayalew outlined a number of priorities she saw as key for the EFAA, including securing a permanent, modern headquarters for the EFAA, reforming Continuous Professional Development into a “serious, reliable, and professional system”, launching a weekly TV programme for legal awareness, and delivering research-driven strategic blueprints.

Dawit Kidane, co-founder and Managing Partner of leading Ethiopian firm DABLO Law, described his election as an Executive member of the EFAA as a great honour.

“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all of you for the trust you placed in me and the support you have given in selecting me for this important responsibility,” said Kidane, who has recently served on the EFAA’s Exam Committee for entrance to the Ethiopian profession. He warmly congratulated the new President and Vice President and his fellow Executive Committee members. “Moving forward, I humbly affirm my readiness to work together with you to strengthen our Association.”