East African Court of Justice, Arusha, Tanzania, 7th March 2026: The East African Community (EAC) today welcomed three new Judges to the First Instance Division of the East African Court of Justice (EACJ). In accordance with Article 24(1) of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community — which requires the Summit to appoint Judges recommended by Partner States who are of proven integrity, impartiality and independence and who fulfil national conditions for high judicial office or are jurists of recognised competence — the Summit appointed judges recommended by the Federal Republic of Somalia, the Republic of Kenya and the Republic of South Sudan.
Christine Mutimura, Acting Registrar of the East African Court of Justice, administered the Oaths of Office of the newly appointed Judges as provided for under Section 3 of the East African Community Oaths Act, 2019.
Appointed Judges and brief profiles
Hon. Justice Abdiwahid Warsame Abdullahi is a Somali national who until recently served as a Case Reviewer in the Prosecution Division of the Columbus City Attorney’s Office. He holds an LL.M. in Comparative and Constitutional Law from Ohio State University and has served in various capacities including as a State Prosecutor in the Banadir Regional Court (Somalia) and as Legal Counsellor at the Prosecution Resources Unit of the Columbus City Attorney’s Office.
Hon. Lady Justice Anne Atieno Amadi, CBS is a Kenyan national who until recently was an advocate of the High Court of Kenya. She holds a Master of Criminal Justice from Boston University and has served in senior roles including Chief Registrar of the Kenya Judiciary and Deputy Executive Director and Head of Litigation at the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Kenya.
Hon. Justice Diejo Stephen Abraham Yar is a South Sudan national, who until most recently served as a High Court Judge in the Judiciary of South Sudan. He holds an LL.B. from Al-Neelain University (Khartoum) and has served as a First Grade Judge of the County Court in South Sudan and as a Third Grade District Judge in the Judiciary of Sudan.
The newly sworn Judges will assume their duties in the First Instance Division of the EACJ and will serve in accordance with the EAC Treaty. The Summit reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the independence, integrity and competence of the Court as a cornerstone of regional integration and the rule of law.
About the EACJ
The East African Court of Justice (EACJ or ‘the Court’), is one of the Organs of the East African Community established under Article 9 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community. The Court was established in November 2001; its key mandate is to ensure the adherence to law in the interpretation and application of and compliance with the EAC Treaty. Arusha is the temporary seat of the Court until the Summit determines its permanent seat. The Court’s sub-registries are located in the capitals of the following Partner States: Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and United Republic of Tanzania.
For more information please contact:
Christine Mutimura
Acting Registrar,
East African Court of Justice.
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: 255-27-2162149
Email: cmwekesa@eachq.org