Appraisal Workshop on Germany's Support to the EAC integration process held in Arusha

Posted in Press Release

East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, 9^th August, 2018: A one-day appraisal workshop on the Federal Republic of Germany’s support to the EAC integration process was held on Wednesday 8^th August, 2018 at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.

The appraisal workshop, which was co-chaired by the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sectors, Hon. Christophe Bazivamo and Dr. Kirsten Focken, the Cluster Coordinator-EAC-GIZ Programme based in Arusha, was attended by the Director General of the EAC Customs and Trade Directorate, Mr. Kenneth Bagamuhunda, Heads of Departments that are involved in implementing the activities supported by GIZ, and the representative of the German Embassy in Dar es Salaam, Ms. Norzin Grigoleit-Dagya.

Also in attendance were the Consultants undertaking the appraisal exercise for the 4^th phase of the EAC-GIZ Support Programme that comes to an end in mid-2019.

Addressing the workshop participants, Hon. Bazivamo commended the long standing support of the German Government to the EAC integration and urged the participants to come up with clear and smart project objectives, outputs and indicators for the next phase of the cooperation.

On her part, Dr. Focken, the Cluster Coordinator-EAC-GIZ Programme, thanked all the participants for active participation and input into the mission. She said that the cooperation will continue in many areas with more focus on implementation to achieve tangible results and demonstrate the benefits of regional integration in East Africa.

The process of planning for a new phase of the programme started with consultations between the EAC and the German government, which took place on 18 September 2017. The consultations took into consideration the key strategic interventions as laid down in a document presented by the EAC Secretariat.

Both sides agreed in their joint minutes that Regional Economic Integration should remain the priority area for technical cooperation.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

In a first appraisal mission held from 12^th to 23^rd March, 2018, the appraisal team visited the EAC Secretariat and selected stakeholders for discussions in order to pave the way forward. Based on these findings, GIZ developed a proposal.

Implementation of the Customs Union and continued implementation of the Common Market will remain the core areas of support and cooperation. The concept includes support to selected economic sectors through regional cooperation and improved trade integration. It also focuses on strengthening the capacities of the EAC Secretariat and selected regional partners, improved inclusion of the private sector and communication of success stories on regional integration through the Incubator for Integration and Development in East Africa (IIDEA).

-ENDS-

For more information, please contact:

Mr Owora Richard Othieno
Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department
EAC Secretariat
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255 784 835021
Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org

About the East African Community Secretariat:

The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. 

The EAC Secretariat is ISO 9001:2008 Certified

Appellate Court Session set for next week

Posted in Press Release

East African Court of Justice, Arusha, 7th August, 2018: The Appellate Division will start its sessions on Wednesday 8^th up to Friday 24^th August, 2018. The Division will handle six (6) matters of Appeal and one for Arbitration before it; among these are two scheduling conferences, four hearings and two Judgments. All matters will be brought before the Honourable Justices: Dr Emmanuel Ugirashebuja (President of the Court), Liboire Nkurunziza (Vice-President), Justice Edward Rutakangwa, Aaron Ringera and Geoffrey Kiryabwire.

The arbitration matter coming up for hearing is by the Winglink Travel Limited Vs the Secretary General of the East African Community. It will be heard on Thursday 16^th August before Justice Dr Emmanuel Ugirashebuja (Chair), Justice Edward Rutakangwa and Justice Aaron Ringera.

Article 32 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community, provides arbitral jurisdiction to the Court to hear and determine any matter arising from arbitration clauses or Special agreements. The Court arbitrates any dispute at no cost. So far the Court has received three (3) arbitration matters, two have been determined while one is in progress.

Article 35 of the Treaty gives mandate to the Appellate Division to handle appeals from the Judgement or any order of the First Instance Division of the Court on points of law, grounds of lack of jurisdiction or procedural irregularity.

The Appellate Division also has jurisdiction under Article 36 of the Treaty to give advisory opinion of the Court, if requested by the Summit, Council or a Partner State on a question of law arising from the Treaty which affects the Community.

Under Article 34, the Appellate Division also gives preliminary rulings on questions raised by any Court or tribunal of a Partner State concerning the interpretation or application of the provisions of this Treaty.

Notes for editors:

ARTICLE 32

Arbitration Clauses and Special Agreement the Court shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine any matter:

(a) arising from an arbitration clause contained in a contract or agreement which confer s such jurisdiction to which the Community or any of its institutions is a party; or

(b) arising from a dispute e between the Partner States regarding this Treaty if the dispute e is submit ted to it under a special l agreement between the Partner States concerned; or

(c) arising from an arbitration clause contained in a commercial contract or agreement in which the parties have confer red jurisdiction on the Court.

ENDS

For more information, please contact:

Yufnalis Okubo
Registrar
East African Court of Justice
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255 27 2162149
mail: Okubo [at] eachq.org
www.eacj.org

About the East African Court of Justice:

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. Established in November 2001, the Court’s major responsibility 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 respective National Courts in the Partner States.