Pan African Lawyers Union to emphasise trade and investment alongside human rights in new term, says new President

Alongside its longstanding focus on human rights and rule of law, the Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU) will now also emphasise trade and investment, commercial law practices, cross-border legal services, and regional economic integration, says new PALU President Tewodros Getachew Tulu in his inaugural address.

“These efforts will undoubtedly promote strong cross-border trade, investment, and economic integration across the African continent, leading to economic prosperity, improved efficiency, and reduced poverty,” says Getachew, an Ethiopian lawyer who became the first East African President of PALU when he was elected on 27 June.

Originally founded in Addis Ababa in 2002 to reflect the aspirations and concerns of the African people and to promote and defend their shared interests, PALU has a significant membership including five regional lawyers’ associations, over 54 national lawyers’ associations, and more than 1,000 individual lawyers. All working together to advance the law and the legal profession, rule of law, good governance, human and peoples’ rights, and the socio-economic development of the African continent.

That latter branch is set to get increased focus over the coming three-year term for Getachew and the new PALU Executive Committee, who aim to accomplish a lot.

The additional emphasis on trade and investment, commercial law practices, cross-border legal services, and regional economic integration will be delivered through PALU’s Business Law Section, notes Getachew in his inaugural address. 

President Getachew and the new Executive Committee are also looking to strengthen PALU’s institutional capacity, address governance challenges, and to deliver a more influential strategy for continuing PALU’s offerings, including high-quality advisory services to various continental bodies, assisting in treaty drafting, conducting negotiations, and engaging in comparative legal analyses. 

”PALU’s observer status at the African Union granted us a strong presence and the ability to submit professional opinions and effective collaboration for the betterment and benefit of Africa,” notes Getachew. “Tangible change requires strong institutions… we aim to focus on institution-building, supporting various regional and continental organisations across Africa, and of course challenging them when needed.”

With PALU originally being established in Ethiopia, which is also the home of Pan Africanism given the Organisation for African Unity (which later became the African Union) was also founded there in 1963, Getachew says he is very proud to be the first East African to lead PALU, and that he will serve everyone under PALU’s umbrella. 

Among many leadership and legal roles, President Getachew is the founding President of the Ethiopian Federal Bar Association, an international arbitrator, a former senior prosecutor who dealt with high-profile criminal and major civil cases, and a legal advisor to the African Union on matters of national and international law..

“My vision for PALU is for it to live up to its expectation and play a nonpareil role in backing up the continent’s democracy, upholding the rule of law, and addressing the urgent need to overcome poverty. We aspire to brand it as the most impactful platform for lawyers and lawyers associations, both across the continent and globally, ensuring its presence and meaningful influence in every African country.”