EAC Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 8th November 2017:
H.E Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda on Monday 6th November, 2017, toured the EAC Partner States stand at the World Travel Market (WTM) and recognized the joint tourism promotion efforts by the Partner States. The President was at the World Tourism Market to receive his World Tourism Awards given in recognition of his efforts to foster sustainable tourism development in Rwanda. The award exemplified the commitment by East African leaders in promoting sustainable tourism.
Meanwhile, the EAC High Commissioners/ Ambassadors in London, Heads of Tourism Boards for Partner States, and the Secretariat staff held a pre- WTM meeting on 5th November 2017 at the Uganda High Commission premises.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, 8th November, 2017:
The East African Community (EAC) together with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) will launch the first ever EAC Industrial Competitiveness Reports (ICR, 2017) on 10th November 2017, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The aim of the ICR is to provide a compass to policy-makers, the private sector (in particular manufacturing firms and associations), and generally a wider range of stakeholders on the broad direction of the industrial development trajectory of the EAC and of the internal competitiveness dynamics among Partner States.
The report assesses EAC’s industrial performance vis-à-vis other regions and role models in Asia and Africa and sheds light on strategic short- and long-term industrialization paths that EAC should pursue.
The Draft report has been presented and discussed at various consultative meetings culminating in its validation, by the programme Regional Steering Commitee, at the regional workshop held in March 2017 in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.
Speaking ahead of the launch the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sector, Hon Christophe Bazivamo, said the report provides a synopsis on the ‘State of Industrial Competitiveness in the region and highlights the policy actions required to restore or sustain competitiveness.
Notes to Editors
The EAC Secretariat in collaboration with UNIDO is implementing a programme on “Strengthening Capacities for Industrial Policy Formulation and Implementation in the East African Community” which was approved by the Sectoral Council on Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment during its meeting held on 22nd May 2015.
Through the Programme specific trainings have been delivered at both regional and national levels to create, among others, capacity for industrial competitiveness analysis as envisaged in the EAC Industrialization Policy and Strategy. As a result, the programme has greatly contributed to enhancement of capacity for industrial policy analysis, design, monitoring and evaluation at Partner States and the Secretariat levels.
To ensure sustainability and full use of knowledge acquired in the trainings, the Secretariat in collaboration with UNIDO and a team of experts from Partner States took the initiative of preparing an EAC Industrial Competitiveness Report, 2017 (ICR-2017).
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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 Secretariat, Arusha, Tanzania, 7th November, 2017:
A four-day training workshop on the East African Community integration process for Public Communications Officers and journalists from media houses in the Republic of South Sudan (RSS) kicked off at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania today.
The workshop is part of a comprehensive capacity building programme on the integration process to enhance the young nation’s integration into the Community.
In a speech read on his behalf by the Director of Infrastructure, Eng. Kamugisha Kazaura, at the official opening of the workshop, EAC Secretary General, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, said that the Community had put in place a roadmap to gradually integrate the world’s youngest nation into the Community’s structures, programmes and activities.
“The capacity building programme for RSS government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, and other stakeholders will focus on all aspects around the EAC integration,” said Amb. Mfumukeko.
He said that the EAC Heads of State Summit had at their 18th Ordinary Meeting held in Dar es Salaam on 20th May, 2017 appointed a judge from South Sudan to sit on the bench of the First Instance Division of the East African Court of Justice which is based in Arusha.
“RSS will later appoint a judge to the Court’s Appellate Division once the relevant laws are amended to raise the number of judges from five to six. RSS has also appointed a Defence Liaison Officer to the EAC Secretariat as is required of all Partner States,” said the Secretary General.
“The Judiciary in the RSS also agreed to provide space for the EACJ to establish a sub-registry like is the case in the capital cities of the other EAC Partner States,” said Amb. Mfumukeko, adding that the sub-registry would enable any person who files a case with the Court to do so in Juba without traveling all the way to Arusha.
On the East African Legislative Assembly, the Secretary General disclosed that the South Sudan National Legislative Assembly had already elected nine Members of Parliament to represent the country in the Assembly.
“The Assembly will start its business the moment the Republic of Kenya finalizes the election of the country’s MPs to the regional Parliament,” he said.
The training has drawn nine Public Communication Officers from Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, and 14 reporters/editors from various media houses in South Sudan. The objective of the training is to actively engage the participants with a view to enhancing their appreciation of the EAC integration process.
The Secretary General singled out the media as a strategic ally in the integration process saying that the Community would always endeavour to strengthen its relationship with the media for efficient communication.
He said that the EAC has overtime organised media training workshops on specific sectors and specialized matters on the integration so that journalists can report EAC issues effectively and with accuracy.
“The mass media are powerful tools for raising awareness on various issues. The media therefore stand out as a special stakeholder group that ought to be educated if the EAC integration message is to trickle down to opinion leaders at the grassroots,” he said.
In his remarks, the GIZ Programmes Officer, Mr. Bernd Multhaup, said that there was a lot of information coming out of the EAC daily in various sectors including education, culture, ICT, political affairs, tourism, among other areas.
“I urge you to be creative, investigative and honest in delivering content to the public. Responsible journalism is at the centre of building nations, fostering peace and unity among the different stakeholders and this can be of particular benefit to a young nation like yours and East Africa,” Mr. Multhaup told the participants.
Noting that regional integration was a process that would take time, Multhaup urged the participants to lobby their government, the civil society, citizens and other non-state actors to join in, and create a powerful knowledge base on the benefits of EAC integration.
“Today, a unique training starts, especially focused on building your capacities as editors, journalists and communication officers. Take advantage of this opportunity and challenge your writing and reporting skills,” he said.
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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.
EAC Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 7th November 2017:
Preparations are in high gear for the Joint EAC Heads of State Retreat on Infrastructure and Health Financing and Development slated for 29th November 2017 at the Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala Uganda.
Convened under the Theme “Deepening and Widening Regional Integration in Infrastructure and Health Sector Development in the EAC Partner States”, the Joint Retreat will be the first engagement of the EAC Heads of State to address health issues and the fourth on matters of infrastructure financing and development.
The Joint Retreat is expected to give impetus to infrastructure and health development by way of possible funding commitments, political support to flagship projects, possible Public Private Partnership arrangements as well as the development of a projects implementation roadmap.
On Infrastructure matters, the Heads of State are expected to address the development of quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure and quicker delivery of the same, including regional and trans-border infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all. In addition the Heads of State will discuss rapid enhancement of transport efficiency in the EAC through the development of interconnected multimodal transport systems (rail, road, pipelines, inland waterways, airports and seaports among others), which would result in the reduction of transportation costs and times and improved movement of the factors of production.
With regard to the health sector, the Heads of State Retreat will seek to build consensus on regional health sector investment priorities for the attainment of Universal Health Coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals; Mobilize investments for the identified health sector priorities; as well as revitalize regional partnerships and linkages for improved health outcomes in the EAC Partner States.
The Joint Retreat will be preceded by separate Infrastructure and Health sector Investors’ and Development Partners’/Donor’s roundtables scheduled for 28th November 2017 at the same venue. The sub-themes for the infrastructure and health sector components are, “Enhancing Infrastructure Development to Facilitate Trade and Accelerate Industrialization in the EAC” and “Investing in Health Infrastructure, Systems, Services and Research for the Accelerated Attainment of Universal Health Coverage and Health-Related Sustainable Development Goals” respectively.
The Retreat Programme includes an Infrastructure and Health Sector International Exhibition that will run from 28th to 29th November, also at the Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala Uganda. The Exhibition will provide a platform for players in the Infrastructure and Health sectors to showcase new products and services as well as exhibit the latest advances in research and innovation.
Exhibitors will include Pharmaceutical and Medical Technologies Manufactures and Dealers; Health Insurance Providers; Regional Centres of Excellence for Healthcare; Network of Reference Laboratories; Traditional/alternative Medicine Producers, Infrastructure Contractors (Ports, Railways, Airlines, Oil and Gas); Investment Banks; Telecommunication Companies; Civil Society Organizations; Community Based Organizations; Private Sector; Academic and Research Institutions; as well as Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies among many others.
The Joint EAC Heads of State Retreat on Infrastructure and Health Financing and Development is being organized by the EAC Secretariat in collaboration with the EAC Partner States and leading international and regional Development Partners.
For more information on the Joint Retreat, visit the retreat website: www.eacihr17.eac.int
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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, 7th November, 2017:
The Board of Directors and staff from the East African Business Council (EABC) led by the Chairman, Mr. Jim Kabeho yesterday met the EAC Secretary General, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko at the EAC headquarters, in Arusha ,Tanzania .
The two parties had an in-depth discussion on areas of collaboration and key priority projects that can make a difference in the region as well as generate results for the integration process.
Addressing the meeting, the EAC Secretary General Amb Liberat Mfumukeko informed the EABC Board of Directors that EAC has developed the 5th EAC Development Strategy under the EAC Vision 2050 which will provide strategic direction for the Community for the next 5 years. The goal is to build a firm foundation for transforming the East African Community into a stable, competitive and sustainable lower middle income region by 2021. The participation and the involvement of private sector is key towards the achievement of this goal, added, Secretary General.
He informed the EABC Board Members that for the last three or so years EAC has been seized of the importance of putting the East African business sector at the heart of promoting intra-regional trade and investments. “I am optimistic that by the end of our meeting, we shall be able to identify in concrete terms those areas of collaboration for the next phase and how to improve on what we have been doing’’.
On his part, the Chairperson of EABC Board of Directors, Mr. Jim Kabeho said EABC is committed to providing a regional platform through which the business community can present their concerns to ensure a conducive business environment within the East African Community.
“I pledge our commitment and support to the EAC Secretariat towards making our region conducive for investments and doing business at large’’
The two parties discussed key areas of collaboration including; EAC - Private Sector Development Strategy and Development of the new version; Priorities areas for joint implementation and synergy during the financial year 2017/2018 and 2018/2019; Joint resource mobilization for the next financial year as well as setting up joint EAC Private Sector Fund.
At the end of the EAC-EABC consultative meeting, the Secretary General addressed the Press accompanied by the EABC Board Members and EAC official.
Also present at the meeting were the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Planning and Infrastructure, Eng. Steven Mlote, and Director of Trade at the EAC Secretariat, Alhaj Rashid Kibowa.
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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 Secretariat, Bujumbura, Burundi, November 3, 2017:
A two-day workshop on the Integrated Corridor Development Initiative—Lake Tanganyika Transport Programme organized by the East African Community and the Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency in close collaboration with the World Bank is underway at the Le Panoramique Hotel in Bujumbura, Burundi.
The objectives of the workshop are threefold: to identify and support project packaging to be included in the Programme for matching with available funds and additional fund mobilization; identify the next steps to finalize programme design and move to its implementation, and; identify potential Development Partners and investors to support the programme.
The workshop will give an opportunity to Partner States and regional organizations to highlight the projects they would like to be considered under the LTTP. In addition, Development Partners will also make presentations on projects they are committed to support.
Opening the workshop, Burundi’s Minister for Transport, Public Works and Equipment, Hon Jean Bosco Ntunzwenimana, underscored the importance of infrastructure development in the region and called for more financial support from stakeholders both in public and private sectors to implement all the project under Lake Tanganyika Programme.
Hon. Ntunzwenimana thanked the World Bank for supporting the Integrated Corridor Development initiative in and its continued commitment in supporting the implementation of the intermodal projects.
The Minister said improving connective infrastructure and removing policy barriers to trade can help drive economic diversification, the creation of new jobs and poverty reduction. He challenged member states to improve the regional transport network, in sustainable manner because it is essential for competitive and improved integration into the region and global market.
On his part, the EAC Director General—Customs and Trade, Mr. Kenneth Bagamuhunda, said that the Community recognizes that an integrated and efficient transport system is critical for attaining socio-economic development at the desired pace.
Mr. Bagamuhunda noted that the Lake Tanganyika Transport Programme represents yet another coordinated initiative between Partners States, Development Partners and Regional Organizations to deliver an integrated, efficient and cost effective transport system in the regions.
The Director General (DG) who represented the EAC Secretary General Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko emphasized the importance of infrastructure and efficient transport systems to the regional economic development in the EAC remains imperative.
“It is also apparent that required investment to deliver infrastructure projects to bridge the existing infrastructure deficit at a desired pace, cannot be achieved single-handedly by respective Governments,” added the DG.
Mr. Bagamuhunda commended the World Bank for their commitment to support the Lake Tanganyika Transport Programme.
The World Bank, Country Director in Burundi, Mr. Nestor Coffi, said that the Bank recognizes that regional integration plays a critical role in connecting people to markets, both within Africa and the global economy.
He reaffirmed Bank’s commitment to support the Riparian Countries, EAC, Central Corridor for Transport and Trade Facilitation, as well as Lake Tanganyika Authority, to design and implement infrastructure development programmes.
NOTES TO EDITORS
In 2014, the East African Community in collaboration with the World Bank commissioned a study to define an Integrated Corridor Development in EAC Countries (the Intermodal Strategy). The Strategy was endorsed for implementation during the Heads of State Retreat on Infrastructure Development and Financing held in Nairobi on 29th November 2014. The Strategy identified a mix of physical and institutional interventions to facilitate the implementation of an efficient and cost effective inter-modal transport system along the East African corridors.
The interventions have been packaged into a program for Integrated Corridor Development in EAC Countries comprising of (i) Lake Victoria Transport Program, (ii) Lake Tanganyika Transport Program (iii) Capacity building interventions and (iv) Restoring and strengthening of the physical infrastructure for ports and surface transport system. Implementation of the LVTP under this program has already commenced and the 2ndphase of the integrated corridor initiative will involve implementation of projects under the Lake Tanganyika Transport Programme.
Initiatives for integrated corridor development have also been undertaken by the Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency (CCTTFA) along the Central Corridor. In March 2015, the Central Corridor Presidential Round Table endorsed the Corridor Acceleration Initiative and tasked the Central Corridor Secretariat to coordinated resource mobilization to implement the identified programme. In the course of implementation of the corridor Acceleration initiative, a Central Corridor High Level Consultative Meeting held in July 2017 Kigoma, Tanzania; prioritized and developed an Action Plan for the ‘’Lake Tanganyika Integrated Transport Programme.
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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 East African Community Bujumbura, Burundi, 1st November, 2017:
The East African Community Secretary General, Amb Liberat Mfumukeko, on Tuesday addressed the Media on the upcoming Lake Tanganyika Transport Programme workshop to be held from 2nd to 3rd November, 2017 in Bujumbura, Burundi.
The Secretary General was accompanied by the Chair of the EAC Council of Ministers and Uganda’s Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of East African Affairs, Rt Hon. Kirunda Kivejinja, the Executive Secretary of Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency, Captain Dieudonne Dukundane, and the Executive Director of Lake Tanganyika Authority, Engineer Nibirantije Jean-Marie.
Speaking at the press conference Amb. Mfumukeko said he was delighted at the take-off of the Lake Tanganyika Transport Programme saying the programme would yield tangible benefits for ordinary East Africans.
“Lake Tanganyika is uniquely placed to provide intermodal linkages between Tripartite Regional Economic blocks of EAC, COMESA and SADC and therefore a critical conduit not only for transport needs but also for wider economic benefits,” said Amb. Mfumukeko.
Amb. Mfumukeko told the press that the World Bank had committed about US$500 million to support the Lake Tanganyika Transport Programme. He however called for more support from other Development Partners by way of project uptakes, co-financing and blending.
The Secretary General said that Investment in infrastructure projects continues to receive the utmost political attention by the EAC Heads of States as expressed during their biennial retreats on infrastructure development and financing.
He said successful implementation of the Lake Tanganyika Transport Programme was expected to result into numerous benefits for the riparian states and the communities around the Lake.
On his part, the EAC Council of Ministers Chairperson, Rt Hon Kirunda Kivejinja, thanked the World Bank for supporting the Integrated Corridor Development initiative in EAC through the Intermodal Strategy.
He assured East Africans that the Community was fully committed to putting in place an integrated transport system with the Lake Tanganyika Transport Programme as part of the system.
“I wish to re-affirm the EAC’s commitment to building an efficient and reliable transport infrastructure that will spur economic growth and development throughout East Africa,” said Hon. Kivejinja.
The Executive Secretary of the Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency, Captain Dieudonne Dukundane, emphasized the importance of Lake Tanganyika in providing intermodal linkages between the EAC, COMESA and SADC.
Captain Dukundane said Lake Tanganyika was critical for promoting movement of people and goods within the East African region.
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, 31st October, 2017:
The 27th Meeting of the Sectoral Council of Ministers Responsible for EAC Affairs and Planning (SCMEACP) is currently underway in Arusha, Tanzania.
The five-day meeting started with the Session of Senior Officials which was scheduled for October 30th and 31st, 2017 followed by the Coordination Committee comprising Permanent/Principal Secretaries from 1st November to 2nd November, 2017. The meeting will be capped by the Ministerial Session which will take place on Friday, 3rd November, 2017.
Among the items on the agenda of the meeting are:
Consideration of report on the Implementation of previous decisions of the SCMEACP;
Consideration of the report on the status of integration for the period July 2016 – June 2017;
Consideration of a Progress Report on the Status of Implementation of the EAC Common Market Protocol;
Consideration of a Progress Report on COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite Arrangement;
Consideration of the Draft 5th EAC Development Strategy (2016/17-2020/21);
Consideration of the key priority areas for the FY2018/19;
Consideration of the Progress Report on the Development of a Roadmap for the Integration of the Republic of South Sudan into the EAC;
Consideration of the Progress Report on the Status of Implementation of the EAC Brand Architecture Strategy, and;
Consideration of EAC Audit and Risk Committee Matters
The Session of Senior Officials is being chaired by Dr. Andrew Musiime, Director of EAC Affairs at the Ministry of EAC Affairs in the Republic of Uganda. Uganda is the current Chair of the Community.
The Session was officially opened by the EAC Deputy Secretary General for Planning and Infrastructure, Eng. Steven Mlote.
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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, 23rd October 2017:
The East African Community Short Term Election Observation Mission to Kenya’s 26th October Presidential Election has been launched in Nairobi, Kenya.
Launching the exercise this morning, the Head of the Mission, Hon. Prof. Edward B. Rugumayo commended the people of Kenya for being an example in the region on the promotion of the rule of law through use of judicial processes to address electoral disputes, respect for governance institutions and an open space for political competition and contestation so far exhibited.
The Head of the Mission noted that the forthcoming Presidential Election in Kenya was unique and the first of its kind in the region where a Presidential Election is repeated as a result of Court decision.
He urged the EAC Observers to remain focused to their role and professionalism as they undertake the mission and ensure thorough exercise of due diligence in thier tasks and positive discretion in making judgements on the situation on the ground.
“By its very nature it is expected that this election carries with it a heavy sense of emotion and anxiety among the difference stakeholders and therefore no wonder that tension and elements of violence is being reported in some parts of the country”, asserted the Head of Mission.
He therefore urged the EAC Observers to be cautious of the emotions in regards to the personal and collective conducts and always remember that as International Observers, their mandates and limits were well stipulated by the International Election Observation Standards, as well as the EAC Principles for Elections Observation and Evaluation.
The Mission Leader was optimistic that the whole process will be peaceful and successful and will forever remain a reference point of best practice in electioneering in the EAC region and beyond. He wished the Kenyan people peaceful, free and fair elections as they exercise their rights to choose the Leader of their choice.
At the same occasion, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Political Federation, Mr. Charles Njoroge, reiterated that the Kenya democracy was advancing and the adherence to the rule of law and democratic principles and respect of Institutions was growing in the same measure.
He said Kenyans will go back to the polls on 26th October 2017 to elect the President in fulfilment of the requirements of the very laws governing democratic dispensation on elections.
The EAC official said nullification by the Supreme Court of Kenya of the outcome of the Presidential election of 8th August 2017 is a testimony to the operational independence the Constitution of Kenya grants to the Organs of governance, which is an important example in the region on the promotion of the rule of law through use of judicial processes to address disputes of all kinds.
“The repeat elections are thus a sacrifice Kenyans have to bear in promotion of democracy, access to justice and rule of law”, affirmed the EAC Deputy Secretary General.
Notes to Editors
The Observation Mission is partly a continuation of the August 2017 mission that was deployed to observe the General Elections in Kenya. It is also partly a result of developments that took place after the declaration of the Presidential Election result of August 2017 where the Supreme Court of Kenya annulled the same results.
As the EAC commitment to fulfil the obligation of enhancing democratic principles as enshrined in the Articles 3 (3)(c) and 123 6(d) of the Treaty, the Community is deploying again to observe this presidential election in accordance with the EAC Principles for Elections Observation and Evaluation and Council decision.
The Mission comprises over 60 members, drawn from Electoral Management Bodies, National Legislative Assemblies, members of the Former East African Legislative Assembly, National Human Rights Commissions, Civil Society, EAC Youth Ambassadors and the EAC Secretariat. The Mission will be deployed in most of the Constituencies in the Republic of Kenya.
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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 1st EAC Development Partners Consultative Forum kicked off at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania today.
The EAC called the forum purposely to share with Development Partners the 5th EAC Development Strategy and priorities for the Financial Year 2018/2019.
Speaking when he officially opened the forum, EAC Secretary General Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko said that the EAC had significantly strengthened its financial systems and procedures.
Amb. Mfumukeko disclosed that the Community had largely attained most of its objectives under the 4th Development Strategy, its implementation had suffered from inadequate financial resources.
“Development Partners’ contribution to the EAC Budget for the last five years remained almost constant for financial years 2012/13 and 2013/14, increased in 2014/15 and started decreasing in 2015/16 and significantly went down in 2016/17,” said the SG.
The SG said that despite the challenges, the Community had registered a number of achievements including the establishment of an interim Projects Coordination Unit to improve the management of donor-funded projects in the EAC.
The SG further said that the EAC had already recruited a Fund Manager for the Partnership Fund who has since reported for work, adding that this would enhance the management of the Fund and increase its efficiency.
“The Partnership Fund is a very special vehicle for EAC in terms of coordinating Development Partner support. It has continuously played a pivotal and catalytic role in supporting activities geared towards accelerating the Community’s agenda since its inception 10 years ago,” he said.
The 5th Development Strategy has seven key Priority Areas including: the consolidation of the Single Customs Territory to cover all imports and intra-EAC traded goods, particularly agricultural and other widely consumed products; infrastructure development; enhancing free movement of all factors of production as envisaged in the Common Market Protocol, and; enhancement of regional industrial development.
Other priority areas are: improvement of agricultural productivity, value addition and facilitation of movement of agricultural goods to enhance food security; promotion of regional peace, security and good governance, and; Institutional transformation at the regional and Partner States levels.
On the upcoming presidential election in the Republic of Kenya, Amb. Mfumukeko urged the Kenyan electorate to uphold the country’s pride as a regional leader by conducting their election peacefully on 26th October, 2017.
In his remarks, Danish Ambassador to Tanzania and the EAC Einar Jensen said that Partner States would eventually take full control of funding the Community and urged them to remit their contributions to the EAC in time.
Amb. Jensen, who is also the Chair of the Partnership Fund, observed that funding levels to the EAC had been on the decline over the years, adding that this was not healthy for the Community’s financial situation.
“There is need for immediate intervention to address this situation. The Development Partners remain optimistic that together with steady, persistent effort, with strong principled commitments and hope, we will resist the challenges and emerge as stronger and truly collaborative partners,” said the Danish envoy.
Amb. Jensen said that misalignment between the EAC Medium Term Expenditure Framework and activities/projects approved by the donors have increasingly posed challenges in implementation of annual work plans, including notorious delays in approving the annual plans,” he said, adding that this has at times led to poor performance and a series of negative impacts.
He said that the potential of EAC as a region lay in the possibility of making it a truly single market, free from barriers, unnecessary tariffs, mutual understanding, predictable business environment in addition to peace and stability.
“It is out of such space the Partner States will do business and grow businesses, and create value and companies that will last and that will help to build a great future for the region. The Development Partners are determined to be that partner to accelerate the next era of East African growth for all East Africans,” said Amb. Jensen.
“The EAC is expected to be a real stimulant of growth and enrichment of the EAC people. We would like to see the EAC as a booming, growing, thriving market, where we can do business and where you have a young population that is surging. We are your partners in making this a reality,” he added.
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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.
