Mombasa plays host to 7th Series of Inter-Parliamentary Games

Posted in Press Release

The 7th Inter-Parliamentary Games Tournament kicked off in Mombasa, Kenya with a bang with legislators starting the busy day on a sure footing, winning a good number of the track and field events.

In Athletics, Parliament of Kenya’s Hon Wesley Korir hit the finish in the 400 metres dash beating Parliament of Uganda’s Hon Gota to second place while compatriot, Hon Dr Victor Munyaka scooped third place. In the women’s category, Parliament of Uganda’s Hon Maureen Osoro was the toast of the team beating Hon Christine Ayo while Parliament of Tanzainia’s Hon Esther Matiko who came third.

Hon Maureen Osoro proved too good scooping the 800 Women’s run yet again beating Tanzania’s Hon Esther Matiko. Youthful legislator, Hon Ann Adeke from Uganda came third. In the Men’s category, Hon Wesley Korir, a former Boston Marathon Champion, once gain got his name on the medal chart, crossing the line ahead of former athlete, Hon Julius Acon of Uganda and Hon Kisoi Munyao of Kenya.

Team Kenya also did well scooping the 400 x 1 relay with Hon Dan Wanyama, Hon Kanini Kega, Hon David Ochieng and Senator Isaac Melly starring in the race.

The walking race was also won by Kenya’s Hon Wesley Korir.

In men’s tug of war, Parliament of Uganda were declared champions after beating Kenya 2-1 in a pulsating final. Parliament of Uganda started off well beating Kenya 2 pulls -1 pull and Tanzania 2 pulls to zero to book a date yet with Parliament of Kenya.

Parliament of Kenya on its part were the stronger side beating Parliament of Tanzania, 2 pulls to zero.

In the women’s category, Parliament of Kenya proved to be superior beating Tanzania 2 pulls to zero. However, in the second match, Tanzania beat EALA by two pulls to zero.

Earlier on, the week-long extravaganza was preceded by a Pre-Tournament Conference opened by the Speaker of EALA, Rt Hon Daniel F. Kidega East African Legislative Assembly.

The Speaker reiterated the importance of the Games saying it enhanced inclusiveness and bonding.

“Beyond interface as Parliaments, the Inter-Parliamentary Games further enhance interaction with the citizenry of the Partner States and act as a mode of sensitization by popularizing the Integration process. Sports is key for the integration of the region as enshrined in Article 119 which anticipates the promotion and enhancement of diverse sports activities”, Speaker Kidega noted.

Sport he remarked, similarly plays a vital role in building social inclusion in the region, as an engine of shared experience and empowering citizens to develop friendships. Sporting activities create greater sense of belonging, increase in confidence levels and strengthening of Community capacity.

The Speaker called on the Partner States to promote sports, tourism by investing in more budgets. The theme of the Pre-Tournament Conference; “Uniting East Africans, One People, One Destiny,” was called to enhance bonding ahead of the Games.

Senator of Mombasa, Hassan Omar said sports was key in integration. He said there was need for common identities, justice and common standards including adherence to human rights. He said the integration pillars would only be realized if there was total commitment from all Partner States.

The Governor of Mombasa, Hassan Ali Joho, said there were clear values stipulated in the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC on the reasons for coming together. He said the integration systems needs to be anchored on economic, social and cultural values as well.

“Let us ensure the Community is people-centred and private sector driven”, Governor Joho said.

The Governor called for the fast uptake of Kiswahili as the official language of the Community.

The Chair of the EAC Joint Planning Committee, Hon Saoli Ole Nkanae also addressed the Conference.

Another key presentation was made by the Senior Monitoring Evaluation Officer, Julius Burungi who said significant progress had been made at the EAC, the challenges notwithstanding.

The presenter said all stakeholders need to be involved in the integration of the region. He cited lack of awareness and funding as some of the challenges the Community is facing.

Leaders of the delegations, Hon Bakabulindi Charles, Minister of State for Sports (Uganda), Hon William Ngeleja (Parliament of Tanzania), Hon Kalisa Evariste (Parliament of Rwanda) and Hon Dennis Karera (Burundi National Assembly) addressed the Pre-Tournament Conference.

EALA Member, Hon Abubakar Zein called on the legislators to embrace fair play and discipline as the games proceed. He maintained that there was need for etiquette and adherence to decorum, rules of conduct and courtesy as the games proceed.

Hon Zein said fair play as well as sportsmanship/sportswomanship were key attributes in the entire tournament.

In attendance were representatives of the Kenya Ports Authority and the Aga Khan University.

France supports political solution to Burundi Crisis

Posted in Press Release

The French Ambassador to Tanzania and the East African Community, Ms. Malika Berak, has called on all parties in the Inter-Burundi Dialogue to engage constructively and consensually in the forthcoming consultations to be held in Bujumbura, Burundi.

In a press statement issued today and copied to the EAC Secretariat, Amb. Berak said that only a political solution would enable Burundi to achieve a peaceful exit from the crisis.

“We reiterate our full support for the continuation of sessions on Inter-Burundi Dialogue, within the framework of the mandate given to it by the East African Community,” said the envoy.

Amb. Berak further hailed the determination and commitment H.E. Benjamin William Mkapa, the former Tanzania President who is also the Facilitator of the Inter-Burundi Dialogue.

In a press statement issued by his office on December 1st, 2016 H.E. Mkapa disclosed that a roadmap for the Burundi Dialogue process was developed and presented to the Mediator, H.E. President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda on November 2nd, 2016. The roadmap provides for a series of engagements between December 2016 and June 2017 that will culminate in an agreement.

H.E. Mkapa said that in implementing the roadmap, will in due course be visiting the Republic of Burundi to confer with H.E. President Pierre Nkurunziza and also consult with other political players, adding that this would lay the ground for a series of both formal and informal engagements with and among various stakeholders, in and outside Burundi and also with international actors.

The Facilitator observed that since his appeal in May 2016 to Parties to the Conflict to desist from violent acts and give dialogue a chance, there has been a noticeable improvement on the security situation in Burundi.

H.E. Mkapa said he would continue to urge all Parties to adhere to a non-violent approach to solving the political crisis, adding that the improved security situation in the country had been acknowledged by the international community.

“It is important that as this process proceeds, and for which the Barundi and the EAC citizens will continue to be briefed on the progress, all parties should strive to avoid actions and utterances that are not helpful to the healing process and remain seized of the commitment to a political process,” said the Facilitator.