East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 23rdOctober, 2018: The 29th meeting of the Sectoral Council on Cooperation in Defence is currently underway in Arusha, Tanzania. The Sectoral Council on Cooperation in Defence has been convened pursuant to Article 10 of the EAC Protocol on Cooperation in Defence Affairs and in accordance with the EAC Calendar of Activities for the period July- December 2018.
The Meeting is considering several items pertinent to strengthening and widening the regional integration agenda in the Defence sector that include, among others, planning for the 11th EAC Armed Forces Field Training Exercise USHIRIKIANO IMARA 2018; issues to do with the EAC Command and Staff Colleges/Higher Military Training Institutions/Military Academies; Health Services of the EAC Partner States’ Armed Forces; Military Industrial Facilities availed for Shared Utilization; and EAC Counter Terrorism strategy.
The meeting is also considering the EAC Armed Forces’ Standing Operating Procedures; and the Draft Defence Sector Calendar of Activities for the Period January to June 2019.
The 29th meeting of the Sectoral Council on Cooperation in Defence is being conducted through the Session of the Defence Experts Working Group on Operations and Training from 22nd to 23rd October; Session of the Sectoral Committee on Cooperation in Defence on 24th October 2018; Session of the Consultative Committee on Cooperation in Defence on 25th October 2018; and session of the Sectoral Council on Cooperation in Defence on 26th October 2018.
The ongoing session is being attended by the Partner States’ Defence Experts Working Group on Operations and Training.
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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.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 15th October, 2018: The Chiefs/Directors of Health Services of the EAC Partner States’ Armed Forces have converged at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania, to discuss and share information among Partner States’ Armed Forces on health matters and to review the status of implementation of previous decisions on the same matter by the Sectoral Council on Cooperation in Defence.
The three-day meeting is being chaired by Brig. Gen. (Dr.) Keith Ambrose Musinguzi, the Chief Medical Services of Uganda Peoples’ Defence Force, and Major (Dr.) P.T. Venuste Muratwa of Rwanda Defence Force, is the Rapporteur.
After realizing the serious risk posed by HIV/AIDS and other health threats to the EAC Partner States’ Armed Forces, the Sectoral Council on cooperation in Defence directed that the Armed Forces initiate co-operation in health/medical matters. In that regard, an operational forum for the Chiefs/Directors of Health Services was established to draw strategies and measures to mitigate health threats to the Armed Forces.
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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.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, 19th September, 2018: Preparations are at an advanced stage for the 6th East African Community University Students’ Debate scheduled to take place from 30th - 31st October, 2018 at the University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Themed “Border management to address migrant smuggling and corruption at borders for stability and social economic development in the East African Community: Role and Implications for the youth”, the Debate is set to enhance youth participation in the EAC integration agenda and processes.
The EAC University Students’ Debate Model is an interactive and representational style of debating aimed at educating, discussing and making resolutions among the Youth in East Africa to nurture a bond of “East Africaness” with a distinct East African identity that is highly desirable. The objective of the Debate Model is to exchange information, share ideas and cultivate common ground on regional integration issues among the students and youth in the Community.
The EAC recognizes that youth are a crucial asset, an important key resource and partners in social economic and political development of the Community. The EAC has been undertaking various initiatives to promote continuous dialogue among the youth and promoting their participation in moving the EAC regional integration.
The EAC University Students’ Debate lays emphasis on the use of the value and policy approaches given that the EAC Integration is people-centred and Private Sector driven, hence giving the youth an opportunity to come up with policies that will enable the Secretariat develop programs and initiatives aimed at empowering youth in the region.
The debate provides a platform to promote dialogue among the youth and interest them in advocating for regional integration initiatives. The Debate aims to promote continued participation of the youth on issues of the EAC integration; encourage networking among university students/youth to enhance regional integration; as well as prepare the youth for future leadership roles at regional and international levels as they hold the mantle as Ambassadors of EAC integration in the region.
A one-Page motivation letter explaining why they are interested to participate and indicating which University or institution you come from and the Year of Study;
A two-page essay on “Migrant smuggling, corruption and effectiveness of boarder management for youth empowerment in EAC,” and;
A scanned copy of University Identity Card and a bio data page of their Passport.
The 2018 edition of the Debate is will feature discussions on issues related to:
Border management for secure, safe and easy movement of people and goods;
Border management to minimize the risk of inter-state conflicts and tensions between neighbouring Partner States;
Young people as movers of the factors of production and the free movement of persons across EAC borders;
Migrant smuggling and human trafficking as threat to young people and EAC integration;
The issues of bribery and corruption at the border points as a threat to the security of the community; and
Other barriers to free movement across the borders
Participation in this debate is limited to students who are in their second year at the university pursuing a degree. Students who participated in the last three debates need not to apply to give an opportunity to others to take part. Interested applicants with good analytical, communication skills, and a good command of English are encouraged to apply.
Students from University or Institutions of Higher Learning in the East African Countries who are interested to participate should apply by submitting the following documents:
A one-Page motivation letter explaining why they are interested to participate and indicating which University or institution you come from and the Year of Study;
A two-page essay on “Migrant smuggling, corruption and effectiveness of boarder management for youth empowerment in EAC,” and;
A scanned copy of University Identity Card and a bio data page of their Passport.
The documents should have a font size of 12, Arial with single line spacing and should be sent as one attachment. To: East African Community, Nyerere Centre for Peace Research, on email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..The applications should be received not later than 28th September, 2018 at 5:00 pm East African time.
Please note that only successful candidates will be contacted.
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.
COMESA has handed over Information and Communications Technology (ICT) equipment and analytical software worth over US$ 110,000 to the Djibouti Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). The tools were procured through COMESA Regional Maritime Security (MASE) programme, which is funded by the European Union.
The equipment is intended to enhance the efficiency of the analytical work done by the FIU Unit as well as the quality of the intelligence disseminated to Law Enforcement Agencies and other relevant stakeholders, supporting the country’s daily efforts to fight money laundering and financial crimes.
Receiving the equipment on behalf of the government, Central Bank of Djibouti Governor Mr Ahmed Osman Ali said the fight against financial crime needs concerted efforts. “This handover we are witnessing today is very important for Djibouti and it will greatly booster our efforts in tackling the different forms of financial crime in this region.
He commended COMESA and the EU for providing the equipment and added that the Central Bank is more than ready to use it effectively and achieve the desired results.
Apart from strengthening the IT capacity of its FIU, COMESA has also assisted Djibouti in translating its anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) Laws into Arabic, an important step in the country’s endeavor to align its policies to international standards and become a member of the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF).
Representative of COMESA Secretary General, Ms. Elizabeth Mutunga, said the root factor that is of concern for COMESA within the MASE programme has been to strengthen the fight against money laundering. Adding that piracy, or any other crime is motivated and propagated by money.
“If therefore, the ability for criminals to access their illicit funds arising from criminal activities is made more difficult, then we can expect that the crime will also be reduced and hopefully ultimately eradicated,”. She said.
EU Resident Representative in Djibouti Ambassador Adam Kulach said the fight against money laundering in the region will only succeed if key institutions such as Central Banks are strengthened. He reiterated the EU’s commitment to support the region and urged the Central Bank to put the equipment to good use.
Three other Regional Economic Communities (RECs) are implementing the MASE programme addressing different components of maritime security and the fight against maritime crimes. The RECs are the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the East African Community (EAC) and the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC).
The COMESA component of the programme is implemented in partnership with Interpol, focusing on building capacity in the ESA-IO region to disrupt financial network of pirates and their financiers. COMESA strives to strengthen Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) chain, from improving the legal environment to strengthening the capacity of law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute financial crimes.
NOTE TO THE EDITORS
About MASE Programme MASE is a € 37.5 million EU-funded Programme for the period 2013-2020. It is implemented by Eastern and Southern Africa and Indian Ocean Regional Organizations namely IGAD (overall coordinator), EAC, COMESA and IOC. Other partners include European missions, UN Agencies (UNODC, FAO), Interpol. The Programme comprises five result areas. COMESA’s result area is: Dismantling financial networks linked to maritime crimes and minimizing their economic impact.
About COMESA COMESA is a regional economic community established by Treaty in 1994. It brings together 19 Member States with a population of over 500 million into a cooperative framework for sustainable economic growth and prosperity through regional integration.
Contact Details Ms. Dalisto Bonongwe, MASE Coordinator. Email: dbonongwe[at]comesa.int
EAC Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 24th April, 2018:
A seven-day EAC and INTERPOL joint training workshop on Countering Human and Drug Trafficking in the EAC region is currently underway in Zanzibar, Tanzania.
The main purpose of the Training is to increase knowledge of investigators involved in curbing the two Transnational Organised Crimes (TNOCs) in the region; share experiences on policy and best practices in Partner States on control of Human and Drug trafficking; contribute towards enhancing efficiency of investigators through documenting the changing dynamics in drug and human trafficking in the region, and; identify constraints to the implementation of Anti-Drug/Narcotics and Human Trafficking control measures and draw practical strategies on the way forward.
Several factors have been identified as hindrances to the effective implementation of Anti-Drug and Human Trafficking control measures, namely weak border security, corruption, weak laws and criminal justice systems to address such crimes, limited resources, limited anti-trafficking experience, as well as limited inter-agency cooperation, among others.
The 23rd to 28th April, 2018 training has been convened in an effort to respond to several identified investigative gaps and challenges within the two transnational crime areas for purposes of convergence and harmonization of practices through training.
The EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Political Federation, Mr. Charles Njoroge, said that the EAC was determined to develop strategies that will better facilitate efforts towards countering the two crimes taking into full consideration the changes in the dynamics of the crimes, reflecting a gender dimension in the region and the African continent as a whole.
“Today more women from the region are trafficked than men. Drug barons have also targeted unsuspecting women to be carriers and transporters of narcotic drugs. In some cases, the two crimes are committed jointly and concurrently, whereby the very women transporting narcotic drugs are at the same time being trafficked,” said Mr. Njoroge.
In addition to the two crimes, the EAC is investing in addressing Terrorism, which has continued to affect the region. To this end, the EAC has established the Inter-religious Council, composed of representatives from different Faiths, whose mandate is to address the radicalization of youth in the region and their eventual recruitment into Transnational Crime Organizations operating within the region and beyond.
It is also anticipated that the efforts to address TNOCs will also result in the mitigation an emerging threat in the EAC region - trafficking of illicit goods such as alcoholic beverages, foods and pharmaceuticals. These crimes include the production of the counterfeit products (counterfeiting) in the region, the sale of expired goods as well as the smuggling and use of the region as a transit corridor for such goods.
Notes to Editors
The EAC Secretariat has received funding through the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) Support Programme, to undertake the above training. The training will introduce investigators to the new investigative skills, crime trends, and investigative technologies and also take stock of the existing investigative challenges as compiled from the previous benchmark visits within the EAC Region.
The Training is being organised in line with the Directive of the 3rd Meeting of the Sectoral Council on Interstate Security to respond to the identified investigative gaps and challenges within the two transnational crime areas for purposes of convergence and harmonization of practices through training in the region.
The training involves lectures, group assignments, participatory discussions, presentations, brainstorming and benchmark visits to key Government Anti-Human and Anti-Drug Trafficking Centres including a visit to the International Airport and landing sites in Zanzibar where applicable, as a field trip on systems and procedures pertaining to detection, investigation, and ultimate arrest and prosecution of the two suspects in the two TNOCs.
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.
From April 26th to 29th, 100 delegates from 30 States as well as Regional and International organisations will discuss Maritime Security issues and initiatives at a Ministerial conference in Mauritius.
This major event is organized by the Republic of Mauritius, current chair of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) and the Secretary General of IOC, with the support of the European Union (EU) through the Eastern and Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean Maritime Security Programme - MASE.
A meeting of High Officials will be held from 26th to 27th April to prepare the Ministerial Conference which is scheduled for the 28th and 29th April 2018. A Ministerial Declaration with an action plan will be adopted at the end of the meeting.
This document focuses on all the issues of Maritime Security namely cooperation mechanisms, the fight against illegal fishing and maritime traffickings (drugs, human, money laundering), terrorist risk, environmental crimes and marine pollution.
One of the outcome of the Ministerial Conference is the signature of the two regional agreements on the exchange of maritime information and the coordination of operations at sea. These agreements, developed as part of the EU-funded MASE programme, reflect the willingness of the regional States (IOC member States, Djibouti, Kenya, Tanzania and Somalia) to enhance their collaboration to tackle effectively maritime threats and crimes.
The setting up of the two regional centres, one specialized in the exchange and sharing of maritime information in Madagascar and the other one specialized in the coordination of operations at sea, based in Seychelles, are the core subjects of these agreements.
They will be useful instruments for securing the 6 million km2 vast ocean areas of the of the Western Indian Ocean.
Maritime security in the Western Indian Ocean Basin is a major challenge for sustainable development throughout Eastern and Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean (ESA-IO).
The multiplicity of threats, crimes and offenses at sea undermine political stability, economic growth, social progress and the preservation of natural environments and resources. The answer to these challenges, be it piracy, drug trafficking, terrorist threat, illegal fishing or pollution at sea, can only be collective. No Regional States can control the vast EEZ by itself.
The support of the international community is therefore necessary. It is even legitimate in so far as the western Indian Ocean, crossed by international shipping routes, is an area of common interests.
In order to mobilize national, regional and international partners in favour of maritime security and safety, the Indian Ocean Commission, mandated by its extraordinary Council of Ministers in October 2017, is co-organizing together with the Republic of Mauritius with the support of the European Union, a Ministerial Conference on Maritime Security in the Western Indian Ocean from 26 to 29 April 2018 in Mauritius.
This Conference aims at giving a new impetus to concrete collaborations for the long-term security of the vast maritime areas of the ESA-OI region in full compliance with the Conventions and Strategies in force.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 6th February 2018:
The first East African Community Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) activities prior to the Army Day in Uganda known as Tarehe Sita was held in Bukedi sub-region in Eastern Uganda.
The event, which was held under the theme Reaffirming the Contribution of the Armed Forces towards Regional Integration for our Strategic Security, Development and Prosperity, ran from 30th January to 6th February, 2018 and was in line with the decisions of the Sectoral Council on Cooperation in Defence held on 24th November, 2017 in Kampala, Uganda.
For the first time, the Armed Forces of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan and Tanzania joined the hosts Uganda Peoples Defence Force (UPDF) during the weeklong Tarehe Sita activities.
Civil military activities were conducted by the medical and engineering contingents of all the forces in all the districts of Butaleja, Pallisa, Budaka, Kibuku, Tororo and Busia. The other UPDF formations and units including those deployed abroad carried out various activities in support of communities in their areas of operation.
The main celebrations were held today held today at Boma Grounds in Butaleja district and attended by, among others, Honourable Ministers of Defence from the Partner States; Principal/Permanent Secretaries of Defence; Members of the East African Legislative Assembly and Members of Parliament of Uganda; Chiefs of the Defence Forces from EAC Partner States; Members of the Diplomatic Corps; Service Commanders and General Officers; Defence Liaison Officers at the EAC Headquarters; Members of the Defence Forces Contingents of the EAC Partner States and the general public.
Addressing participants at the event, the EAC Secretary General Amb. Libérat Mfumukeko, who was represented by his Deputy in charge of Political Federation, Mr. Charles Njoroge, said the CIMIC week was held under the spirit of the EAC Protocol on Cooperation in Defence Affairs whose four pillars include military training, joint operations, technical cooperation, visits and exchange of information.
Mr. Njoroge disclosed that during the Sectoral Council on Cooperation in Defence meeting held on 16th November, 2012, the need to enhance Civil Military Cooperation by conducting CIMIC activities during respective Partner States’ Armed Forces Day was considered and approved.
The Secretary General further noted that during the meeting of 2nd December, 2016, the Sectoral Council directed that CIMIC activities prior to Partner States Armed Forces Day be organized once annually on rotational basis commencing in the Financial Year 2017/18.
Amb. Mfumukeko commended the Republic of Uganda and the UPDF for accepting to host the first EAC Armed Forces Day that was preceded by a week of CIMIC activities and involved the Armed Forces from the EAC Partner States.
He expressed gratitude to the support and leadership by the EAC members of the Summit of Heads of State, the Sectoral Council on Cooperation in Defence and the Heads of the Defence Forces for making the event a great success.
The Secretary General expressed appreciation to the Defence Forces for consolidating and spearheading the EAC integration agenda.
“The planning and execution of the CIMIC activities is a testimony to further strengthening the cause of East African Community unity, common defence, security, peace and development. It is also great inspiration to the people of East Africa to see members of the Armed Forces from different Partner States participating together,” said the Secretary General.
“We need unity, peace, stability and strength to defend our common interests as East Africans. This will in effect provide a conducive and attractive environment for investment and development and prosperity in the region. While partnership with the International Community is important, Africans and more so East Africans, we have to find lasting solutions to our own problems. To this effect, the EAC Cooperation in Defence offers such great scope and prospects,” added the Secretary General.
Notes to Editors
CIMIC activities are designed and conducted to support national development agenda, enhance civil-military cooperation, improve rural economic transformation, improve health, reduce poverty, conserve the environment and ensure food security in order to win the people’s hearts and minds. In this first edition, CIMIC activities were conducted in the fields of health and engineering services.
The East African region continues to be faced with real and potential complex emergencies, which can easily translate into threats to the social economic, cultural and political wellbeing of the people of East Africa. These threats range from natural to man-made disaster, poverty and disease, porous borders and proliferation of small arms and light weapons, internal strife, terrorism and insecurity in states neighboring the Community. These dangers to human life and development cannot be under estimated. It is for these reasons that it is very important to develop the East African Community’s capacity to handle such emergencies and threats.
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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.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, 11th December, 2017:
A two-weeks East African Community Armed Forces Command Post Exercise dubbed Ushirikiano Imara 2017 is ongoing at the Tanzania Peoples Defence Forces’ Peace Keeping Training Centre in Kunduchi in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The Command Post Exercise is being held in the context of the East African Community Protocol on Cooperation in Defence Affairs. The Areas of cooperation embedded in the Protocol on four pillars include; military training, joint operations, technical cooperation, and visits and exchange of information.
Addressing the official opening session of the exercise on 7th December, Tanzania’s Minister of Defence and National Service, Hon. Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi commended the EAC Sectoral Council on Cooperation in Defence and the Partner States for implementing some of the provisions of the Protocol on Cooperation in Defence Affairs.
He also commended the EAC Secretariat and the Partner States for the excellent arrangements put in place to conduct the exercise in Dar es Salaam, saying, “the commitments put in are a testimony of the importance the region puts in the exercise and regional integration agenda”.
The guest of honor urged the participants to exhibit utmost commitment and discipline in order to reap maximum benefit to their respective Partner States and the region as a whole.
Addressing the same occasion, Uganda’s Defence Minister and Chairperson of the EAC Sectoral Council on Cooperation in Defence, Hon. Adolf Mwesige said the objective of the Command Post Exercise was to enhance the ability of the EAC Partner States’ Defence Forces and other key stakeholders to work together in an operational theatre.
“This Exercise offers a platform on which to evaluate the readiness of the EAC Partner States’ Defence Forces and key stakeholders to respond to complex security challenges. It also avails an opportunity to practice the EAC Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Peace Support Operations, Disaster Management, Counter Terrorism and Counter Piracy operations” noted Uganda’s Minister of Defence.
He noted that the changing security environment in the region and globally calls for regular training that is well coordinated especially where threats do not respect borders.
The Chairperson expressed his gratitude to the Summit of EAC Heads of State and the Sectoral Council on Cooperation in Defence for excellent leadership and guidance the sector has always received, which has enabled it to achieve so many milestones within a short time.
He appreciated the EAC Defence Forces for the good camaraderie exhibited in preparing for the Exercise, which further strengthens the cause of East African Community unity, common defence, security, peace and development.
On his part, the Deputy Secretary General in charge of Political Federation, Mr. Charles Njoroge, who represented the Secretary General, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, said the Exercise was designed to practice participants from the military, civil police and civilians in the planning and conduct of Peace Support Operations, Disaster Management, Counter Terrorism and Counter Piracy operations with the purpose of enhancing the capabilities of the Partner States’ Defence forces to combat complex security challenges.
He said the Security challenges within the region are addressed through such military exercises that help the Armies build required capabilities. “It must be mentioned here that the EAC Defence Forces have gone beyond exercises and are operating together in several missions such like AMISOM in Somalia,” said the DSG.
The EAC official reiterated that the Military Exercise was being held at a time when the EAC integration process was intensifying on all fronts. “Our Community has strengthened its Customs Union and is now a Single Customs Territory, Non-Tariff Barriers to Trade along our major corridors have come down and Intra EAC trade has grown. Significant progress has been made on the type of Political Federation East Africa will have, which is the Ultimate aim of our Community”.
Mr. Njoroge informed the guests that all Partner States were being represented in the exercise except for the new member, the Republic of South Sudan which sent an apology, was represented by the Under Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Major General Simon Ananias.
Present at the official opening were; Members of the East African Legislative Assembly and Members of Parliament of Tanzania; Chiefs of the Defence Forces; Members of the Diplomatic Corps; Service Commanders and General Officers; Defence Liaison Officers at the EAC Headquarters; Members of the Defence Forces Contingents of the EAC Partner States, Civil Police and Civilians
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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.
This morning the Facilitator to the Inter-Burundi Dialogue H.E. Benjamin William Mkapa, Former President of the United Republic of Tanzania, adjourned the 4th Session of the Inter-Burundi Dialogue after twelve days of interactions. He thanked the participants for their dedication in trying to find a solution to the Burundi Political problem.
This session was convened in order to allow the participants to engage each other and agree on issues of common interest for the welfare of all the Barundi. The Facilitator noted that throughout the session the concerned parties remained rigid in their positions and therefore failed to realize the expectations of the millions of the Barundi at home at as well as many other well wishers who eagerly waited for a positive outcome from the session.
The Facilitator informed the participants that he would report to the Mediator, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda and Chairperson of the East African Community Heads of State Summit on his assessment of the Session, on areas of convergence and divergence. The Facilitator will then seek the guidance of the Mediator on the way forward.
The Facilitator reiterated his call to all the participants to continue to denounce all forms of violence and hate speech. He reminded the participants that despite the divergent views they have expressed they should continue to embrace each other as brothers and sisters and work towards sustainable peace and development of their country.
8th December 2017, Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge, Arusha, Tanzania.
