The COMESA Court of Justice, First Instance Division, has concluded the hearing of Reference No. 1 of 2025 – Tewodros Getachew Tulu Vs. COMESA Secretariat, COMESA Secretary General & Two Others, which challenges the conduct and legality of the election of Judges to the Court held on 21 November 2024.

The hearing took place from 20 to 22 October 2025, in Lusaka, Zambia. During the three-day session, the parties called witnesses, presented their evidence in-chief, and underwent cross-examination and re-examination.

The matter, filed by Mr. Tewodros Getachew Tulu, a lawyer and nominee of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia, contests the election process on grounds of alleged procedural irregularities and breaches of the COMESA Treaty, the 2005 COMESA Rules of Procedure for the Election of Judges, and internationally recognised principles of fairness, transparency, and electoral integrity.

Following the close of the oral hearings, the Court directed the parties to file their written submissions by 24 October 2025, after which the matter will be scheduled for final judgment.

The Court’s decision in this case is expected to provide important judicial guidance on the conduct of elections to regional judicial bodies and the interpretation of Article 20 of the COMESA Treaty, which governs the eligibility and appointment of Judges.