CLA News / From Kigali to New Delhi: Advancing the Rule of Law and Shared Purpose by CLA President Steven Thiru
“The rule of law is not fixed for all time. . . . But in a world divided by differences of nationality, race, colour, religion, and wealth it is one of the greatest unifying factors. . . . It remains an ideal, but an ideal worth striving for, in the interests of good government and peace, at home and in the world at large.” ~ Lord Bingham
A. Introduction
The rule of law is a collective responsibility that transcends borders. When there is a breach of the rule of law in one country, it falls upon both its citizens and the wider global community to raise their voices in its defence.
This is precisely where the CLA’s diverse membership demonstrates its unique resolve. With members drawn from Africa, the Americas, Australasia, and Europe, the CLA embodies the rule of law as a binding global principle. The experiences of our membership enrich us and are a wellspring for our mandate.
I recently visited Rwanda, Kenya, Ghana, and India as part of our rule of law advocacy, and to engage with our members.
My trip to Kigali, Nairobi, and Accra was primarily to revitalise our Africa Hub and explore the prospect of a CLA conference next year in Kigali. It was my first trip to Rwanda and Ghana. I was last in Nairobi for the Commonwealth Law Conference in 2007.
Not all Commonwealth countries in Africa have a presence on the CLA Council — we have only 11 out of 23. Strengthening representation from Africa is therefore paramount, as is fostering broader participation, and re-engagement where it has lapsed.
A clear and deliberate plan — perhaps a “Project Africa” — is needed to achieve this goal. My own travels have affirmed my conviction that the CLA will be immeasurably strengthened by the vibrancy and talent of the African legal profession.
B. Rwanda
I arrived in Kigali at 3:00 a.m. on 21 August. My first meeting was at 9:00 a.m. with the President of the Rwanda Bar Association, Moïse Nkundabarashi. He briefed me on the remarkable activities of the Bar, and we discussed the proposed conference in 2026.
The Rwanda Bar is a progressive Bar that has institutional and financial independence, and has implemented a slew of commendable member-centred initiatives — such as a medical insurance and superannuation schemes — that are worthy of emulation by other Bar associations.
I visited Moïse’s law firm, Trust Law Chambers, a leading law firm in Kigali, and met his partners and colleagues. I was especially pleased to meet Daniel Gasaatura, who is a member of our CLA Young Lawyers (YCLA). I urged him to remain active in the YCLA, as the CLA looks to the next generation to step forward to embrace and carry the mantle of leadership.
I am grateful to Moïse for arranging a meeting with Rwanda’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja. The Minister was aware of the CLA’s rule of law advocacy and expressed support for the conference next year. He recognised the value to the legal profession in Rwanda, as well as to wider legal community in Africa, of having such a conference in Kigali.
I wish to also thank Eric Cyaga, Managing Partner of K-Solutions & Partners, another leading law firm in Kigali, and a senior member of the Rwanda Bar. He organised a site visit to the Kigali Convention Centre, the proposed venue for the conference. The Convention Centre’s world-class facilities, coupled with its strategic location, make it an ideal venue.
Eric Cyaga (centre)
I visited the nearby hotels that could serve as accommodation for delegates, including the Radisson Blu, located adjacent to the Convention Centre, as well as the nearby Marriott and Serena. In all, Kigali has excellent facilities and the requisite infrastructure to host the conference in 2026, and I am sure the will make its mark as a memorable occasion.
Looking ahead, our vision for this landmark conference is to bring together lawyers and judges from across Africa, ensuring that the conference features not only established leaders in the profession but also the perspectives of young lawyers whose voices will shape the future of the profession. The sessions will be designed to address issues of pressing relevance, particularly to the African continent.
On behalf of the CLA, I honoured the memory of the victims of the genocide in 1994. The Kigali Genocide Memorial at Gisozi is the final resting place for more than 250,000 victims, and bears witness to the shocking atrocities committed in the space of about just three months. The visit was profoundly moving, and has left an indelible impression on me.
The words of United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, in his Message for the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda resonate with profound clarity: “To those who would seek to divide us, we must deliver a clear, unequivocal and urgent message: never again. . . . [L]et’s pledge to stand as one against all forms of hatred and discrimination. Let’s ensure that the acts that began on April 7, 1994, are never forgotten — and never repeated. Anywhere.”
The next day, I met CLA Vice President Julien Kavaruganda. I am deeply appreciative to Julien for making all the arrangements for my Kigali visit, and I thank him for his very generous hospitality. Julien and I discussed plans for the CLA’s Africa Hub, especially the need to enhance representation on our Council.
Julien and I then visited the office of the Rwanda Bar Association, where we had a dialogue with young Rwandan lawyers. They were eloquent and engaged, and raised thoughtful questions about the future of the profession.
I was particularly inspired by one of the young lawyers, Josiane Uwineza, who has only been in practice for about two years. On a weekly basis, she records short TikTok videos in the national language, Kinyarwanda, for the benefit of the poor and marginalised. She focuses on practical issues in land law and family law.
Josiane Uwineza (third from right)
I concluded my visit to Rwanda with a meeting with Justice Harrison Mutabazi, Inspector of Courts and the Spokesperson for the judiciary in Rwanda. Justice Mutabazi too was supportive of our plans for the conference in Kigali in 2026. He shared his deep interest in mediation in the courts, and Julien and I took the opportunity to brief him on the CLA’s mediation initiatives.
Justice Harrison Mutabazi (far left)
C. Nigeria
I was then planning to travel from Kigali to Enugu, Enugu State, for the Nigerian Bar Association’s Annual General Conference that was to take place from 23 to 25 August. Regrettably, I could not secure a visa in time. Although I had accepted the Nigerian Bar Association’s kind invitation to deliver a goodwill message from the CLA at the opening ceremony and to speak at a session, I was ultimately unable to do so in person. I nevertheless sent a video recording of the goodwill message to the organisers, and my paper on financial crime (Nigerian Bar Association v Dirty Money) was delivered by Juliet Ibekaku-Nwagwu, the Chairperson of the CLA’s Anti-Corruption Sub-Committee. My gratitude goes to Juliet for assisting with the preparation of the paper, representing the CLA at the Annual General Conference, and speaking on my behalf.
D. Kenya
From Kigali, I journeyed to Nairobi, Kenya. On 23 August, I had the pleasure of meeting CLA Treasurer Maria Mbeneka, together with two other CLA members, Wanjirū Ngige and Janet Othero. We discussed areas of common concern to the legal profession in Kenya and the CLA, over a wonderful meal.
Wanjirū Ngige (far left); Maria Mbeneka (second from left); Janet Othero (third from left)
On 25 August, Maria and I attended a meeting with the Law Society of Kenya, led by its Vice President Mwaura Kabata, at its office in Nairobi. The meeting was also attended by several other council members and the President of the East Africa Law Society, Ramadhan Abubakar. We spoke about some key rule of law challenges that the CLA has been dealing with recently, primarily concerning the independence of the judiciary and the legal profession.
Mwaura Kabata (first from left); Ramadhan Abubakar (fourth from left)
During the meeting I had the pleasure of speaking with Faith Odhiambo — the President of the Law Society of Kenya and the CLA-LexisNexis Rule of Award 2025 winner at the Commonwealth Law Conference in Malta last April — who was away but dialled in to extend her warm greetings.
The Law Society of Kenya proposed that the CLA renew the Memorandum of Understanding that we share, and adapt it to reflect the current needs and aspirations of both organisations. Among the areas identified for collaboration is professional development, where the CLA can add real value by facilitating access to expertise and training across the Commonwealth. We then adjourned for lunch, which was generously hosted by the Law Society of Kenya.
I was later informed by Maria that the Law Society of Kenya has decided to encourage all its Council members to take up membership in the CLA.
I wish to thank Maria for swiftly helping to arrange the meetings in Nairobi once it became clear that I could not travel to Nigeria due to the delayed visa, and for extending her gracious hospitality.
E. Ghana
I then arrived in Accra on 26 August. I was warmly received by the Ghana Bar Association’s President, Efua Ghartey, and its Vice President, Victoria Barth. Over dinner they apprised me of the disciplinary proceedings against the Chief Justice of Ghana, Gertrude Torkornoo. Their constructive insights greatly informed my reflections, particularly on how the CLA should further articulate, and might more clearly express, its stand on this important matter.
Victoria Barth (far left); Efua Ghartey (far right)
The CLA has already issued three statements underscoring the primacy of due process as well as procedural and substantive fairness in the proceedings against the Chief Justice, two of which were issued jointly with the Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association (CMJA) and the Commonwealth Legal Education Association (CLEA), and the Bar Council of England and Wales, respectively.[1]
On 27 August, I visited the Ghana Bar Association office, where I met with the President, Vice President, Secretary Kwaku Gyau Baffour, and several other Council members. We held a conference call with the Bar Council of England and Wales to discuss the reactions from the Attorney General of Ghana and several other parties in Ghana to our joint statement on the proceedings against the Chief Justice. Following her removal, we issued a further statement, affirming our position and refuting the unfounded criticism.[2]
Kwaku Gyau Baffour (second from right)
The resolute and principled stance adopted by the Ghana Bar leadership in support of the Chief Justice has been particularly encouraging. Their commitment resonates strongly with the Commonwealth (Latimer House) Principles on the Three Branches of Government, specifically Article 4, which affirms that an independent, impartial, honest, and competent judiciary is integral to upholding the rule of law, engendering public confidence, and dispensing justice.
While in Accra, I took the opportunity to visit the High Court and the Supreme Court. Outside the Supreme Court building, I was inspired by the statues commemorating three High Court judges, Justices Fred Poku Sarkodee, Cecilia Koranteng-Addow, and Kwadwo Agyei Agyepong — immortalised as “martyrs of the rule of law”. Abducted and murdered in 1982, their unwavering courage in administering justice without fear or favour is a testament to the risks borne by those who uphold the rule of law, and a stark reminder that the struggle for judicial independence has, at times, demanded the ultimate sacrifice.
I had the privilege of attending a dinner graciously hosted by two distinguished and long-standing CLA members and doyens of the Ghana Bar, retired Justice Nene Amegatcher and Sam Okudzeto. The dinner offered a meaningful occasion to exchange reflections on the evolution of the legal profession within Ghana and across the Commonwealth, and to draw upon the wisdom of those who have devoted their lives to the service of justice.
Retired Justice Nene Amegatcher (standing, far right); Sam Okudzeto (seated, far left)
The following day, I was able to spend time at Sam Okudzeto & Associates, one of Ghana’s pioneering legal practices, with a distinguished role of not only shaping the domestic legal landscape but also advancing the growth of international legal practice within the region. The visit was both insightful and inspiring, revealing the breadth of experience and deep professional commitment that Ghana contributes to the Commonwealth legal community. I was hosted by Sam and Nene, and it was an honour to receive a copy of Sam’s memoir, Sam — A Life of Service to God and Country, which conveys a deeply personal insight into a life committed to justice and service.
I also had the distinct pleasure of engaging with young lawyers from Ghana. Their dynamism, intellect, and ability to articulate complex issues with clarity left an impression on me. They spoke with conviction about the challenges and opportunities facing the legal profession, and it was heartening to see such excellence in the next generation.
I later received an e-mail from J.B. Afrifa, one of the young lawyers, who wrote, “[I]t was a privilege interacting with you last week during your engagement with young lawyers within the Ghana Bar Association. . . . I found your reflections on the mandate of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association, particularly its support for young lawyers, inspiring. . . ”. I was genuinely touched to receive such considerate and thoughtful feedback, which reinforced the significance of building relationships with and supporting rising leaders in the Commonwealth community.
I am indebted to the CLA’s Council member for Ghana, Justin Amenuvor, for arranging the meetings in Accra.
F. India
From Accra I travelled to New Delhi, India.
I arrived on 29 August and was honoured to attend a reception hosted by the President of LAWASIA, Shyam Divan. The following day, I attended the 2nd New Delhi International Rule of Law Convention, organised by the Bar Association of India.
Shyam Divan
Delegates at the Convention
I was delighted to meet with Santhaan Krishnan, one of the CLA’s Life Presidents, whose long-standing contributions continue to inspire, and with Siddharth Sijoria, the outgoing Co-Chair of the YCLA. Our discussion centred on a new and exciting initiative — a journal for young lawyers in the Commonwealth, to be known as The Young Commonwealth Lawyer. The publication will provide a platform for emerging voices in the profession, enabling the ideas and insights of the upcoming generation to reach the wider Commonwealth community, and even beyond.
Santhaan Krishnan (far right)
At the Convention, I had the privilege of speaking at the “Sovereign Debt Crisis and the Rule of Law” session. My presentation addressed the issue of sovereign debt through the lens of Malaysia’s 1MDB saga, a matter that continues to offer valuable lessons on governance, accountability, and the rule of law in financial affairs.
I held a constructive meeting with the Bar Association of India, led by its President Prashant Kumar, a former President of LAWASIA and a long-time friend. I am pleased to report that the Bar Association of India has renewed its institutional membership with the CLA and expressed keen interest in conducting events that will foster closer collaboration between our organisations.
Prashant Kumar (fourth from left)
I also met with Vikas Singh, President of the Supreme Court Bar Association of India, with whom I explored the possibility of organising a joint event on mediation in February 2026. This initiative promises to be an important milestone in the development of mediation in India and beyond. I am happy to note that the Supreme Court Bar Association has also now renewed its institutional membership with the CLA.
Vikas Singh (far left)
With Santhaan, I met with the trustees of Nivaaran, the organisation responsible for the annual summer mediation training in India that is supported by the CLA. Our conversation focused on the continued growth of mediation as a vital dispute resolution mechanism, and the importance of ensuring that young practitioners gain practical exposure in this practice area.
Finally, I had the opportunity to connect with Dr Vinay Ahuja of Mohan Law House, whose steadfast support of the Commonwealth Law Conference has been invaluable. Our discussion touched on the forthcoming Commemorative Edition of The Commonwealth Lawyer, due to be published by the end of 2025. This special edition will mark a milestone in our collective journey, capturing the work, spirit, and vision that continue to guide the CLA.
Santhaan Krishnan (far left); Dr Vinay Ahuja (far right)
G. The Enduring Ideal
From Kigali to Nairobi, from Nairobi to Accra, and from Accra to New Delhi, I witnessed the enduring truth and resonance of Lord Bingham’s words — that in a world often divided by difference, the rule of law stands as a powerful unifying bond. It is an ideal that binds our profession in common purpose, calling for vigilance in the face of threats, innovation and ingenuity in times of challenge, and steadfast solidarity in moments of trial.
Through the work of the CLA, and the nurturing of young voices, this ideal is not a mere abstract aspiration but a living force, shaping both justice and the lived realities of our communities.
Steven Thiru
President
Commonwealth Lawyers Association
24th September 2025
Steven Thiru records his appreciation to Jaishanker Sadananda and Chin Oy Sim for their assistance in preparing this article for publication.
[1] “Statement of Concern by the Commonwealth Lawyers Association on the Suspension of the Chief Justice of Ghana” (7 May 2025); “CMJA, CLEA and CLA Joint Statement concerning the Suspension of the Chief Justice of Ghana” (5 June 2025); and “The Bar Council of England and Wales and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association statement on the suspension of the Chief Justice of Ghana” (14 August 2025).
[2] “CLA Further Expression of Views Regarding Suspension of the Chief Justice of Ghana” (11 September 2025).
