Press Release

Dar to Host 8th Inter-Parliamentary Games

…legislators to momentarily drop debating skills, exhibit athletic prowess and ball juggling

East African Legislative Assembly, Arusha, Tanzania: November 29th 2017:

As the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) Senior Challenge pitting National Soccer teams start in Nairobi, Kenya on December 3, 2017, all roads similarly lead to Dar Es Salaam for the 8th EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games (December 2-11th, 2017). The Games themed: “Integrating Citizens and Strengthening Inter-Parliamentary Relations through Sports”, brings together the National Parliaments of Tanzania, Burundi, Kenya and Uganda. Parliament of Rwanda and the Transitional National Legislative Assembly of South Sudan have sent their apologies while at the regional Assembly (EALA), staff shall participate as a guest team at the ten-day tournament.

The Speaker of the Parliament of Tanzania, Rt Hon Job Ndugai, is expected to officiate at the commencement and flag-off the ten-day extravaganza. The tournament takes place at the Main Stadium and the adjacent Uhuru Stadium in Temeke District as well as at the Jakaya Kikwete Youth Stadium in the City Centre. The tournament is to be preceded by a half-day Pre-Tournament Conference on December 3rd, 2017, to nurture networking and bonding among the legislators.

The tournament shall for the first-time feature a walk-race –a newly introduced sporting discipline. Other disciplines include football, netball, golf, athletics, tug-of-war and volleyball. Athletics will feature races in 100 metres, 200 metres, 400 metres, 800 and 1500 metres respectively for men and women. The 400 x 4 relay is also on the cards.

In football, defending champions, Parliament of Uganda will face stiff competition from the other Parliaments keen to dethrone them. Last December (2016), Parliament of Uganda beat Parliament of Burundi 7-6 in penalties during a scintillating final played at the Mbaraki Sports Ground, Mombasa, to reclaim the trophy. In men’s Volleyball, Parliament of Kenya who are the champs will have to put up a good fight with all Parliaments –going out guns blazing for the title. In women’s volleyball, all Parliaments are expected give themselves a good outing in the absence of the trophy holders, Parliament of Rwanda. Last year, Parliament of Rwanda were declared champions after beating Parliament of Kenya 2 sets to 0 (25-19 and 25-19). In Netball, Parliament of Uganda is expected to renew rivalry with the Parliament of Tanzania. Last year in Mombasa, Parliament of Uganda beat Parliament of Tanzania 38-29 to retain the title for a second year running. The third place went to Parliament of Burundi who beat EALA 30-19.

In Athletics, Parliament of Uganda were declared the best overall team after capturing gold in a majority of the races. Parliament of Uganda also took the Tug-of-War titles in both the men and women’s categories while Parliament of Kenya bagged the golf trophy. On its part, Parliament of Burundi was feted as the most disciplined team in the entire tournament.

The EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games is a key aspect building on relations between the EALA and the National Parliaments in the EAC region. The Games are held annually and on a rotational mode in the Partner States. Article 119 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community obliges the Partner States to promote close co-operation amongst themselves in culture and sports, with respect to the promotion and enhancement of diverse sports activities among other areas.

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For more information, please contact:

Bobi Odiko
Senior Public Relations Officer
East African Legislative Assembly
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255-27-2508240
Fax: +255-27-2503103
Cell: +255-787-870945, +254-733-718036
Email: BOdiko [at] eachq.org
Web: www.eala.org

About the East African Legislative Assembly:

The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) is the Legislative Organ of the Community and has a cardinal function to further EAC objectives, through its Legislative, Representative and Oversight mandate. It was established under Article 9 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community.

4th Inter-Burundi Dialogue Session set to begin in Arusha, Tanzania

EAC Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 26th November, 2017:

The Facilitator of the Inter-Burundi Dialogue, Former President of the United Republic of Tanzania, H. E. Benjamin William Mkapa has announced that the 4th Inter-Burundi Dialogue Session will be held in Arusha, Tanzania from 27th November to 08th December 2017.

This important Session will be all-inclusive and will bring together participants from the Government of Burundi, former Presidents and Vice Presidents, all the 32 political parties registered in Burundi, Key political actors resident in Burundi and those outside, civil society organizations, women, the youth, religious leaders from the Catholic Church, Protestant Churches and the Moslem Community as well as the Media.

It is expected that the two-week long session will allow the participants to seriously negotiate and reach tangible results.

The Facilitator and the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania have assured all participants that adequate security arrangements are in place to guarantee their safety and a pleasant stay in the United Republic of Tanzania.

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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 2008:9001 Certified

EAC Organs set to participate in inaugural Open Day for Arusha-based International Organisation on Saturday

EAC Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 21st November 2017:

Three East African Community Organs – the EAC Secretariat, East African Legislative Assembly and the East African Court of Justice – are set to join other international, regional and sub-regional organizations based in Arusha to participate in the inaugural Open Day for International Organizations scheduled to take place on Saturday, 25th November, 2017 in Arusha.

The Open Day will be held at the premises of the UN-Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals (MICT or Mechanism) located in Lakilaki, Arusha.

The Open Day 2017 for International Organizations aims at increasing visibility and raising awareness on the mandates and functions of the respective organizations that make up the international community in Arusha. It is anticipated that the open day will also serve to improve the level of cooperation between the participating organizations and local Government authorities.

The event will further showcase the significance of the city of Arusha at both the regional and international levels.

Arusha is host to a number of key international, regional and sub-regional organizations that have, over the years, made it a prominent judicial, economic, political, tourism and cultural hub in the region. 

Other Arusha-based organizations that will participate in the Open Day include: the MICT, the African Court for Human and Peoples’ Rights, the African Institute of International Law, the African Union Advisory Board on Corruption, the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community, the Eastern and Southern African Management Institute (ESAMI), and the Pan African Postal Union.

The MICT has kindly offered to take the lead in the organization and hosting of the inaugural event, which will take place from 10:00 hours to 17:00 hours at the MICT premises at Lakilaki.

Senior Tanzanian government officials, Executives and Staff working in the participating organizations and their families, University students and members of the public are expected to attend the event.

The programme will start with welcoming remarks by the MICT President, Judge Theodor Meron, followed by remarks from the Heads of other international organizations’ and the guest of honour, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation of the United Republic of Tanzania, Hon. Dr. Augustine Mahiga, as well as the Regional Commissioner for Arusha and the Lord Mayor of the City of Arusha. The remarks will be followed by a variety of presentations through the course of the day and activities for all age groups.

Visitors will have the unique opportunity to visit the respective stands of the international organizations’ and learn more about the work of these organizations. 

The programme for the day will also include guided tours of the UN-MICT courtroom where a moot court organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross will take place from 14:00 hrs to 17:00 hrs.

Other events planned include the screening of documentaries produced by the MICT External Relations Section and the Outreach Programme of the former International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. 

The EAC Organs will have an exhibition booth where they will display some of its documentaries and promotional materials. Additionally, there will be a Medical Camp and a children’s corner, with activities for young visitors.

Free Snacks and refreshments will be served. There will also be free transport to and from MICT premises at Lakilaki, Arusha. Branded buses (25-seaters) will move around the city with three (3) major routes, namely:

  1. Njiro via Kijenge, Impala, Regional Commissioner’s office (garden), Naaz, friends’ corner, Kilombero market, Mbauda, to MICT;
  2. Sakina, Majengo, Mbauda to MICT, and;
  3. Kimandolu, Phillips, Sanawari, EAC close, Regional Commissioner’s office (garden), friends’ corner, Kilombero market, Mbauda, to MICT.

The Buses will be leaving the starting points and the final destination after every 30 minutes. The trips will be monitored by the members of the organizing committee and the ushers who will be placed at every pick-up point in branded T-shirts to help people identify the buses.

Bus Routes

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East African Community
EAC Close
Afrika Mashariki Road
P.O. Box 1096
Arusha
United Republic of Tanzania

Tel: +255 (0)27 216 2100
Fax: +255 (0)27 216 2190
Email: eac@eachq.org