106 VIPs, 291 Match officials, 310 Team officials, 1630 Players to participate
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 12th July 2018: The Republic of Burundi will host the 1st Edition of the East African Community Games (EACoG) from 16th to 30th August 2018 in the city of Bujumbura, and in the towns of Ngozi and Gitega, under the theme Fostering EAC Integration andPeace through Sports.
The Games will take the form of all East Africa Games and will include multiple sports disciplines including: Athletics, Football, Handball, Basketball, Netball, Volleyball, Tennis, Rugby, Judo, Karate, Boxing and Taekwondo to be competed among the 6 Partner States that form the East African Community.
EACoG is a Regional Sports initiative that emanates from the decision of the 20th EAC Council of Ministers, which directed the Secretariat to organize and hold Sports Tournaments on regular basis with partnership of private sector, civil society, voluntary organizations/ institutions/individuals and Development Partners.
This was in recognition of the important role sports play towards reinforcing the spirit of East African unity and development and galvanizing a passionate, visionary and broad participation among the East African people, reflecting the basic principle of a people-centered regional integration.
Commenting on the ongoing preparation for the Games, the EAC Secretary General Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko disclosed that EACoG aims at showcasing the diverse sporting talents and provides a platform for sports talent exchange, learning and celebration.
“This initiative is aimed at providing an opportunity for East Africans to showcase the diversity of sporting talent in the region with particular focus on amateur/upcoming sports men and women with a limited emphasis on the competition”. “We are also aiming at making the event attractive to the public to enable East Africans to move across borders to interact freely within the region”.
The Secretary General also disclosed that the Burundi Government through its Ministry in the Office of the President Responsible for EAC Affairs has already extended invitation to the Partner States to participate in the Games.
According to the EAC Principal Sports and Culture Officer, Mr. Bernard Bakaye Lubega, it is expected that EACoG will attract 106 VIPs, 291 Match officials, 310 Team Officials, and 1,630 players in various disciplines.
Notes to Editors
Article 119 (a) of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community states that: “The Partner States shall promote close co-operation amongst themselves in culture and sports with respect to the promotion and enhancement of diverse Sports activities”.
The overall objective of the EAC games is to foster regional integration and solidarity among the People of East Africa.
Some of the exiting Regional Sport Initiatives Events include:
EAC Military Games and Culture Event: They have been held seven times on rotational basis in all the EAC Partner States – Under the Memorandum of Understanding on EAC Cooperation in Defense. The games involve the following disciplines; Basketball, Handball, Netball, Soccer and X-Country. The Games are sponsored by EAC Partner States;
EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games: These have been held 5 times on rotational basis since the establishment of EALA. The games involve the following disciplines: Netball and Soccer. They are sponsored by the national Parliaments and the East African Legislative Assembly;
East African Secondary Schools Games: This has been held 13 times on rotational basis since the EAC was re-established. It is organized by the Federation of East African Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSSA). The games are sponsored by the participating secondary schools and private sector;
East African Inter -University Games: These have been held six time since the EAC was re-established. The tournament is sponsored by the participating Universities and the private sector;
East Africa University Female Games: This has been held once so far. The games are organized by East Africa University Sports Federation with support from International University Spots Federation (FISU), through Federation of African University Sports (FASU). Games are aimed at promoting and celebrating women involvement in University Sports (especially those marginalized Sports). The Competition features the following disciplines: Handball, Football, Netball, Tennis and Chess;
East african Netball Championship: Last Event was held in Dar es salaam, Tanzania in 2013. The Tournanent features only Netball;
East Africa Rugby Cup (EARC): This is organized by the East African Rugby Football Union. The Tournanent is for Only Rugby;
East African Rugby Super Cup: This is organized by the East African Rugby Football Union. The Tournanent is for Only Rugby;
East African Cup: This is a ten year old tournament.It is usually held in Moshi;
East Africa Handball Championship: This is organized annually by the East and Central Africa Handall Federation – for men. The games have been held succesfully for 28 years.
East African Cricket Cup;
East African Beach Volleyball Championships;
East African Athletic; and
East Africa Sports for People with Disability
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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, 5th July, 2018: The 15th Meeting of the Sectoral Council on Transport, Communications and Meteorology (TCM) was from 25th to 29th June, 2018 at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
Speaking at the opening session, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Planning and Infrastructure, Eng. Steven Mlote, noted the considerable developments that are being registered in the infrastructure subsector in the region including the fast pace in the development of multinational roads, the rapid expansion of airports and national airlines, the on-going development of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) on the Northern and Central corridors, the expansion of seaports, as well as the increase in mobile penetration and related mobile services.
“The EAC Heads of State, during the Joint EAC Heads of State Retreat on Infrastructure and Health Financing and Development held on 22nd February 2018, approved 286 projects including 17 flagship projects for championship at the Heads of State Level, whose total investment requirement amounts to US$ 79 billion,” stated the Deputy Secretary General.
Eng. Mlote further emphasized that political support and leadership by the Ministers responsible for infrastructure sectors was a critical factor for successful implementation of the identified regional priority projects.
In his remarks, Hon. Bagiire, Minister of State for Works and Transport, Ministry of Works and Transport, Uganda, stressed on the need to make headway on relating to air transport services liberalization and the EAC roaming framework.
The meeting discussed various projects and programmes under the Infrastructure sub-sectors - roads, railway, civil aviation and airports, maritime transport, meteorology and communication.
The meeting agreed on the proposal to develop Phase II of the One Stop Border Posts, as well as the need to fast track the implementation of Vehicle Load Control and One Stop Border Posts Acts. In an effort to further enhance the sub-sector in the region, the meeting also approved the EAC Railway Enhancement Study report and the EAC Postal Strategy.
In attendance were Ministers/Cabinet Secretaries, Permanent and Principal Secretaries and Senior Officials of the EAC Partner States responsible for infrastructure sectors; Civil Aviation Safety and Security Agency (CASSOA); the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) and the EAC Secretariat. Also in attendance as observers were representatives from the East African Communications Organizations (EACO); Trademark East Africa (TMEA); Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD); IGAD Climate Prediction and Application Centre (ICPAC); World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC).
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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.
Nairobi, Kenya: June 29, 2018: The East African Business Council appoints Mr. Nicholas Nesbitt from Nairobi, Kenya as the new EABC Chairman for the period 2018/2019 during the 19th Annual General Meeting (AGM). Mr. Nesbitt takes over from Mr. Jim Kabeho from Uganda who has served for the period 2017/18. Mr. Nicholas Nesbitt is also the Chairman of Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) & General Manager Eastern Africa, IBM East Africa Limited.
Dr. Manu Chandaria, EABC Founding Chairperson in his remarks during the 19th AGM urged the Private Sector to be committed in the EAC Integration and spearhead for full inclusion of EABC in the EAC as a constituent member of the EAC Integration process.
“As the Private Sector our interest should be one East Africa and not our country.” Dr. Manu Chandaria, EABC Founding Chairperson emphasizes the need to for concerted strengthen Private Sector advocacy efforts at regional level.
In his acceptance remarks, Mr. Nesbitt reiterated the need to increase competitiveness of East African companies and SMEs to compete at continental as well as international level.
“Let’s focus on competitiveness of our businesses to sell our goods at regional, continental, and international scale ” said Mr. Nicholas Nesbitt.
He urged for close collaboration with the governments of the EAC Partners States and called for the government to improve the business environment support the operations of the Private Sector to thrive. The new chair also called for improvement of technological infrastructure to fast track free movement of goods and services in the region.
“Adopt technology such as block chain to solve regional challenges like counterfeits and contrabands” said Mr. Nicholas Nesbitt, new EABC Chairperson.
The East African Business Council also appointed Vice Chairs and Members of the EABC Executive Committee who strategically guide EABC’s mission to promote sustainable Private Sector driven growth. The Annual General Meeting (AGM) is the supreme policy making organ of the East African Business Council (EABC). The AGM meets once a year to elect the Executive Committee headed by the Chairperson, receive annual report on the initiatives undertaken by the Secretariat and give overall direction to the Secretariat in line with the Strategic Plan and interests of the business community in East Africa. The EABC Board of Directors consists of 22 members, headed by a Chairperson, elected from the Partner States on an annual rotational basis. Each country nominates 4 Members to the Executive Committee.
In his remarks, the outgoing Chairman Mr. Jim Kabeho lauded the EABC Secretariat for the good work that has been done in the year under review and congratulated the incoming board of directors, urging them to continue the ongoing initiatives of the EAC Integration process.
Mr. Nesbitt further appreciated efforts by the former chair Mr. Jim Kabeho in steering the work done in the year 2017 together with the Executive Committee. Mr. Nesbitt reiterated his commitment and passion to work with colleagues, Executive Committee members and requested full support from EABC Members, EABC National Focal Points, Secretariat, as well as the East African Community Secretariat, Organs & Institutions, Governments of the EAC Partner States and Development Partners.
During the 19th EABC Annual General Meeting, EABC also honored outgoing board directors for their distinguished service to the council in the year 2017.
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Notes to Editors
About East African Business Council
The East African Business Council (EABC) is the regional apex body of Private Sector associations and Corporates from the 6 East African Countries. It was established in 1997 to foster the interests of the Private Sector in the Integration process of the East African Community. Being the representative of Private Sector associations in the region, EABC was granted observer status in organs and activities of the East African Community (EAC). EABC therefore participates in various sectoral meetings, meetings of the Coordination Committee, the EAC Council of Ministers, and the Summit of the EAC Heads of State; with a view to ensure, that the agenda of the Private Sector is well articulated and received by the policy makers.
Vision: Borderless East Africa for business and investment.
Mission: To promote sustainable Private Sector-driven growth.
EABC Membership is drawn from the six East African Partner States and is open to all national and regional associations as well as Corporates with interest in the EAC Integration process or operations in the region. At national level, EABC activities are coordinated through the EABC National Focal Points, who are also the national Private Sector umbrella bodies. These are Federal Chamber of Commerce and Industries Burundi (CFCIB), Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), Rwanda Private Sector Federation (PSF), Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF) and Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU).
For more information about EABC, visit www.eabc.info
East African Legislative Assembly, Luanda, Angola: 28 June, 2018:Industrialization is a key component achievable within economic communities through enhanced push for integration and commitment to the ideals of an economic bloc.
In order to achieve the same, legislators among other stakeholders need to effectively undertake their role, EALA Member, Hon Kasamba Mathias has said. Hon Kasamba made the remarks at a symposium on the sidelines of the on-going 43rd Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF) in Luanda, Angola.
Hon Kasamba who is Chairperson of the Agriculture, Tourism and Natural Resources said the EAC region continued to underscore importance of industrialization in the quest to realise full benefits of integration. The legislator was reacting to a paper presented by the Senior Officer, in charge of Industrialization and Competitiveness at the SADC Secretariat, Dr Johansein Rutaihwa entitled deepening SADC Economic Integration through Industrialisation: the Role of Parliament.
Dr.Rutaihwa informed the Symposium that SADC region was making progress in improving the business environment and its competitiveness in general, although the performance was mixed as a result of the macro-economic background.
In order to enhance industrialization, Dr Rutahiwa informed participants of SADC’s Industrialisation strategy (2015-2963) which anticipates three key guiding principles; Industrialization as champion of economic and technological transformation, competitiveness (at the firm/industry, country and regional level) and the uptake of regional integration in the context for industrial development and economic prosperity. Dr Rutaihwa said the SADC region was keen to prioritise agro-processing, minerals beneficiation and the pharmaceuticals.
The presenter urged Parliaments and legislators to encourage Member States to mainstream the regional industrialization strategy in their national policies and to be fully involved especially with regards to domestication of the industrial policies within their national set-ups.
The vision of SADC is to build a region in which there will be a high degree of harmonisation and rationalisation, to enable the pooling of resources to achieve collective self-reliance in order to improve the living standards of the people of the region.
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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.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 28th June, 2018: UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has commended the East African Community for leading the Inter-Burundi Dialogue process and thereby assist Burundians to restore stability in their country.
Mr. Guterres further described the EAC as having strong potential for integration in Africa backed by homogeneity and vast economic opportunities.
Mr. Guterres, who met the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Political Federation, Mr. Charles Njoroge, on 26th June, 2018 at the UN Headquarters in New York, reiterated the African Union/United Nations complementary on all spheres of cooperation and reaffirmed the need for African leadership in Peace and Stability in the continent.
The Secretary General disclosed that he will be participating in the upcoming AU Summit in Mauritania where an action plan for the AU/UN partnership will be concluded.
On his part, Mr. Charles Njoroge, who is in New York to participate in the 3rd Review Conference on the implementation of the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons and also to attend the UN High Level Conference on Counter Terrorism, reaffirmed the EAC’s commitment to full implementation of the UN Programme on SALW consistent with the goals set in SDG 16.4.
Mr. Njoroge noted that the Community appreciates the importance of a peaceful, stable and secure environment and respect for human rights to achieve sustainable development and informed the UN Secretary General that the Community has unwavering support for the work of the Peacebuilding Commission particularly in respect to the Burundi and the South Sudan peace processes.
Mr. Njoroge hailed the Partnership on Burundi developed through the Joint Technical team that brings together the UN/AU/EAC to collectively and synergistically support the Burundi process and the EU support. He declared that “EAC remain committed to walking with Burundians towards peaceful credible elections in 2020”.
The EAC official also informed the UN Secretary General that EAC had a standing MoU with the UNHCR to support comprehensive and proximate management of Refugees in the region in conformity with the provisions of the regional and global instruments on the same.
Meanwhile, addressing the 3rd review conference on the implementation of the UN programme of action on SALW and its tracing instrument, the Deputy Secretary General in charge of Political Federation, Mr. Charles Njoroge, stated that the East African Community had launched the 5th Development Strategy, which has specific targets on SALW control that relate to the AU silencing the Guns Initiative 2020.
He informed the Conference that the Community views the implementation of the Joint United Nations-African Union Framework for Enhanced Partnership in Peace and Security signed on 19th April 2017 as providing an enabling vehicle for SALW control initiatives with an eye on addressing both the demand and supply driving factors.
He disclosed that at regional level, the EAC had established a Regional Ballistics Referral facility in Kampala, Uganda through EU Support to procurement and commissioning of a state of the art Integrated Ballistics Identification System, intended to address the dual challenges of enhancing investigative capacity in arms related offences but also ease the tracing instrument.
“This is one of the flagship interventions under the East and Southern Africa Maritime Security Project intended to among others Interdict Sea bound illicit trafficking of SALW, and EAC remains immensely appreciative to the EU for this support,” said the Deputy Secretary General.
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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, 26 June, 2018: The East African Community (EAC) Secretary General, Amb Liberat Mfumukeko has called on the Partner States to support innovative developments from the private and public sectors that bring the vision of a fully integrated and developed EAC closer to reality.
''I realized the urgency for East Africa to grasp the business opportunities offered by new technologies to create a competitive advantage for industries in our region.''
The Secretary General was speaking during the opening session of Google Project Loon Workshop at the Ole Sereni Hotel in Nairobi,Kenya
He disclosed to the participants that the EAC had established the East African Science and Technology Commission; the East African Health Research Commission and the Inter-University Council of East Africa because it believes that education, mainly sciences and technology, as well as research are the foundation of any competitive economy.
Amb. Mfumukeko added that the EAC’s 5th Development Strategy covering the period 2017 to 2022, underscores the centrality of technology and industrialisation in the overall development of the Community as the cornerstone for regional development .
"It is an exciting time for EAC that the launch of the balloon anchored internet infrastructure by Loon targeting the under-served areas of the world makes its debut on the continent in the EAC Region'', added the Secretary General.
''I assure Loon that the choice of EAC will undoubtedly anchor the Project on a positive growth and expansion trajectory on the African Continent'' The EAC Secretary General reiterated how critical the access to ICT in the EAC integration process underpinnings to unlock the growth and market potential for the region and contribute to equitable and sustainable development envisaged in the EAC’s Vision.
He appealed to the Partner States to embrace Google Project Loon and extend to it the support required to launch and operate in all the Partner States. "I thank Loon for choosing EAC as the launch pad for this clearly transformational Project", added Amb Mfumukeko.
Meanwhile, the EAC Secretary General on behalf of the Secretariat and Ms Anna Prouse, Google Project Loon Coordinator signed a Letter of Intent to deepen cooperation and collaborate in good faith on provision of access to internet for all East African citizens.
Earlier in a day the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology, Hon. Joe Mucheru congratulated Google Project Loon for the ambitious project that is geared towards providing internet access to rural and remote areas in the region.
In his speech, which was read by the Principal Secretary, Ministry of Information,Communication and Technology, Mr. Sammy Hemere, Hon. Mucheru belived that the region has the repsonsiblity to use broadband as a power force for change.
''I am convinced that all of us here, have the united purpose to facilitate increased accessibility, affordability, availabilty, reliabilty and usage of broadband services throughout our region'', added the Cabinet Secretary.
The two-day workshop is aimed at providing stakeholders in the East African Community with an overview of Project Loon and its benefits for the states in the region; share technical information on balloon operations including the safety of flights and landing; the operations compliance with international and national safety and security requirements and standards; and to seek engagement and support from the EAC States and stakeholders in providing necessary overflight and landing rights to Loon balloons for their operations in the region.
Notes to Editors
Nearly two-thirds of the world’s population do not have Internet access. There is no one single company or technology that is able to solve this issue alone as the barriers to access are many and varied: limited financial resources, lack of content relevancy, lack of language and digital literacy as well as limited or non-existent basic infrastructure.
Project Loon is a network of balloons 20km above the Earth’s surface, well above aircraft and weather events, aimed at addressing the connectivity challenge by bringing Internet coverage to rural and remote areas, areas affected by disaster and mobile Internet coverage black spots. Transmitting signal from way up in the sky, Loon balloons can provide a much larger coverage area than terrestrial LTE infrastructure and so are perfectly suited to covering larger areas with lower population density.
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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.
…calls for its transformation to regional Assembly
East African Legislative Assembly, Luanda, Angola: 26 June, 2018:EALA is rooting for its Southern African counterpart, the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF), to speedily transform itself in to a regional Parliament so that it may effectively address the needs of its constituents.
Delivering a goodwill message from the EALA Speaker at the 43rd Plenary of the SADC-PF, which commenced yesterday morning in Luanda, Angola, EALA Member, Hon Fatuma Ibrahim Ali rooted for the SADC-PF transformation into a Legislative Assembly, saying it was good for the SADC region and for Africa.
“Evidently, Africa needs strong institutions at this point in time and in the future to steer her to the much-cherished unity and prosperity of a united continent. EALA would like to fully associate itself with the SADC-PF towards looking into all aspects relating to the establishment of a regional Parliament”, Hon Fatuma Ali said.
“We believe that together, we can transform Regional Economic Communities (RECs) into one United African bloc in the near future for the common good of all people of Africa. Our co-operation should therefore be seen as building blocks from which we can draw vital lessons”, the legislator added.
Hon Ali further hailed the recent signing of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in Kigali, Rwanda, saying it would go the extra mile in boosting intra-African trade and in enhancing the region’s industrial content. “Essentially, the Continent must as a necessity, remove all Non-Tariff Barriers on goods and related to services, to smoothen the mega-regional trade agreement, promote development and spur industrialization”, Hon Fatuma said.
The 43rd Plenary Session of SADC-PF, runs through from June 20th until July 1st, 2018 under the theme: Deepening SADC Economic Integration through Industrialisation – the Role of Parliament. In attendance at the Plenary is Hon Mathias Kasamba, EALA Member and Chair of the Agriculture, Tourism and Natural Resources Committee as well as Senior Public Relations Officer, Bobi Odiko.
Addressing the participants, the President of the Republic of Angola, H.E. João Manuel Goncalves Lourenço reiterated his country’s commitment to the ideals of regional integration in the Southern African region. President Lourenço termed good governance, pace, security and competitiveness as key goals and attributes the SADC region should and must pursue. The President maintained the necessity of economic prosperity of the 14 Member State bloc and rallied on all countries to seek self-introspection. President Lourenco, himself a former Member of SADC-PF said his country had pioneered the establishment of SADC in 1992 and underscored the support of the Summit of Heads of State of SADC.
On his part, Hon Helio de Jesus Pina Sanches, the representative of the President of the Pan African Parliament (PAP), said the continent was looking forward to a time when there is total free movement of persons. Hon Sanches commended the efforts realized by SADC-PF so far as transforming itself in to a regional Parliament is concerned.
The SADC-PF is hoping to transform itself in to a regional Parliament with legislative powers as anticipated under Article 8 of its Constitution. At the moment, SADC-PF is an Advisory caucus of Parliamentarians who are constituted from the 14 Member States. EALA is currently the only regional Assembly in the African continent with legislative powers. The Assembly has to date enacted over 70 pieces of legislation, many of which are currently undergoing assent by the EAC Heads of State Summit.
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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.
East African Community Secretariat, Arusha, Tanzania, 25th June, 2018: The EAC Secretary General Amb Liberat Mfumukeko over the weekend concluded his working visit to the different Diplomatic Missions in Dar es salaam, Tanzania.
The first visit was at the Chinese Embassy where he met Counsellor Lin Zhiyong, Economic and Business representative of China. The two officials had a lengthy discussion on the status of integration, projects supported by China in the region and new areas of cooperation among other things.
Counsellor Zhiyong called for EAC to take advantage of existing opportunities to export EAC-made products to the Chinese market and extended an invitation to EAC to attend the “China International Import Expo” which will take place in November 2018 in Shanghai. The two officials agreed that a seminar will soon be held to define the areas of cooperation between EAC and China.
At the US Embassy, the Secretary General met Dr. Inmi K. Patterson, Charge d’Affaires. Ms Patterson decried the low awareness about EAC and the progress of integration. She emphasized on the need for information sharing especially on the investment climate as well as EAC countries to make it easy for inter-regional Trade.
Ms Patterson pledged her support to the ongoing discussions between EAC and the US Corporate Council on Africa to enhance trade and partnerships between US and EAC private sector actors.
Amb Mfumukeko concluded his missions by visiting the Ambassador of Japan to Tanzania, H.E Masaharu Yoshida. The Secretary General briefed Amb. Yoshida on the progress of key infrastructure projects supported by the government of Japan.
Oh his part, Amb. Yoshida invited Secretary General to Tokyo International Conference of African Development (TICAD VII) 2019 meeting in Yokohama. He advised that it will be strategic for EAC to participate.
H.E Yoshida informed Secretary General of the African Business Education Initiative for Youth which aimed at providing youths in Africa with opportunities to study at Japanese universities as well as to intern at Japanese enterprises in order to foster sustainable and sound industrial development in Africa.
In all the visits, the Secretary General reiterated on the need for partnership in implementation of the 5th EAC Development Strategy and briefed the missions on the status of integration.
Amb Mfumukeko appealed to the missions to consider supporting regional programs in addition to their bilateral support to countries.
During the three meetings it was agreed that the EAC need to improve on the business climate, eliminate non-tariff barriers and design a way of sharing investment information in a timely manner as well as regular meetings for exchange information.
The Secretary General was accompanied by by the Director of Infrastructure, Dr. Eng. Kamugisha Kazaura and the Chef de Cabinet, Dr. James Njagu.
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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, 21st June 2018: The 11th meeting of the Sectoral Council on Agriculture and Food Security (SCAFS) that concluded on 15th June 2018 in Arusha, Tanzania, has directed the Secretariat to urgently convene a meeting of the Technical Working Group on Transboundary Animal and Zoonotic Diseases (TADs) to address the issue of Rift Valley Fever outbreak, which has been reported in the region.
The 11th meeting of the Sectoral Council, which was attended by, among others, Hon. Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja, Uganda’s Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and Hon. Eng. Dr. Charles John Tizeba, United Republic of Tanzania’s Minister of Agriculture, also directed the Secretariat to include emerging and re-emerging diseases as a permanent agenda item in the subsequent meetings of the Sectoral Council on Agriculture and Food Security.
At least 26 people in two north-eastern counties in Kenya are suspected of having contracted Rift Valley Fever (RVF). By 16 June 2018 seven of these cases were confirmed and six of the people had died according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The outbreak was reported to WHO and OIE, the International Organization for Animal Health. In Rwanda, the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources confirmed cases of RVF among cattle after samples were tested at the Rwanda Agriculture Board Laboratory. South Sudan reported an outbreak of RVF in March and is reported to be containing the situation.
The East African Community (EAC) Secretariat is closely monitoring the outbreaks and is urging the Partner States that are not yet affected by RVF to step up surveillance to detect any spread of the disease to their territories at an early stage and to inform the public about the risk and about preventive measures.
The affected areas in Kenya include the counties of Wajir and Tana River on the border to Somalia and in Rwanda the districts of Kayonza, Kirehe and Ngoma. Kirehe borders Burundi, Tanzania and Uganda causing a risk for the cross-border spread of RVF.
RVF is a virus disease that is transmitted by infected mosquitos. This year’s heavy rainfall has resulted in widespread flooding in low-lying grasslands. Flooding and standing water enabled a higher number of mosquito eggs than usual to hatch and thus increased the potential for RVF to spread among people and animals. The RVF virus is endemic in the EAC region and has caused repeated outbreaks in the past. It affects primarily ruminant livestock, such as cattle, sheep, goats and camels, and also wildlife, such as buffalos. In these animals it causes abortions and deaths and significant economic loss.
The RVF virus can also affect humans. Most infections are mild, but some people fall severely ill and even die with symptoms such as fever, weakness and bleeding from gums and mouth. The majority of human infections result from direct or indirect contact with the blood, body fluids, or tissues of infected animals. This can happen during slaughtering or butchering, while assisting with animal births, treating the animals and from contact with disposed carcasses or foetuses. Human-to-human transmission of RVF has not been documented.
The EAC Partner States of Kenya and Rwanda have increased their surveillance and put measures in place to stop the disease from spreading further. These measures include cost-free vaccination, restrictions in the movement of animals, bans on slaughtering animals for public consumption and trade bans as well as awareness raising campaigns among the public and especially among herders and small holders. They are advised to immediately report any domestic ruminant that show signs and symptoms of RVF.
Against this backdrop and to supplement the efforts of the Partner States in combating RVF in the Community, the EAC Secretariat urges the owners of livestock, people working with wildlife and citizens in the region to be alert and comply with the following precautionary measures:
Livestock farmers should contact the Veterinary Services Authorities in the respective Partner States for information on vaccinating their animals against RVF and restrict animal movement to limit the spread of RVF;
People in contact with ruminants should practice hand hygiene, wear gloves and other appropriate individual protective equipment when handling sick animals or their tissues or when slaughtering animals;
People should avoid consuming fresh blood, raw milk or animal tissue and products without thoroughly roasting them; and
They should protect themselves against mosquito bites through the use of impregnated mosquito nets, personal insect repellents - if available, light coloured clothing (long-sleeved shirts and trousers) - and by avoiding outdoor activities at peak biting times of mosquitos.
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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 Court of Justice Kigali, 21th June 2018:The East African Court of Justice, First Instance Division on 21st June 2018 delivered Judgment in the matter between The Managing Editor of Mseto & Hali Halisi Publishers Limited and the Attorney General of the United Republic of Tanzania (Reference No. 7 of 2016).
It was the Applicants case that, on 4th August, 2016, Mseto published an article entitled“Waziri amchafua JPM” (“Minister soils JPM”). The news item was to the effect that one Engineer Edwin Ngonyani, an Assistant Minister in President John Pombe Magufuli’s (JPM’s) government had taken bribes from certain persons and entities in a bid to raise funds for President Magufuli’s election campaigns.
Following the publication, on 8th August, 2016 Mseto was served with a notice from Mr. Nape Nnauye, the former Tanzania Minister of Information, Youth, Culture and Sports demanding explanations regarding the published article by 9th August 2016 on specified hours.
On 9th August, 2016, the Applicants responded to the letter by stating that the news item was published to safeguard the image of the President of the United Republic of Tanzania and that of his office and that in the Applicants view, they had committed no illegality. However, on 10th August 2016 the Applicants were issued with an order banning Mseto publication. That, on 11th August 2016 a press conference was held by the Minister where he announced the Order banning Mseto publication.
Among other reasons given verbally during the press were that Mseto has been publishing incitements and false news and it has been cautioned several times. That, on the same day, the Applicants were served with a letter from the Office of the Registrar of newspapers informing them of the above mentioned order that Mseto publishing was banned from 11th August 2016 onwards for a period of 36 months.
The Applicants therefore instituted the Reference challenging the aforesaid Order for being in contravention of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community (EAC). It was the Applicants case that, the order restricts press freedom and the right to freedom of expression, which in turn violates the Respondent State’s obligation to uphold and protect the fundamental and operational principles of the EAC and the universally accepted human rights standards.
Further alleged that the Order made by the Minister pursuant to Section 25 of Tanzania Newspapers Act (repealed) did not specify reasons for making the Order. The Applicants sought among other reliefs a declaration that the Order constitutes a violation of Tanzania’s obligation under the Treaty and a violation of Mseto’s right to freedom of expression.
The Respondent alleged that the right to freedom of expression is not absolute and the Order complies with the Respondent’s obligations under the Treaty, the African Charter and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Further contended that the reasons for the order were set out under Section 25 of the Newspaper Act (repealed) and submits that the Order was made against the Applicant’s newspaper because it was publishing incitements and false news. Further that, the punishment inflicted under Section 25 of the Newspapers Act is reasonable and in conformity with Articles 6(d), 7(2) & 8(1)(c) of the Treaty.
The Court in its Judgment found that the Respondent having failed to establish how the publication in the Mseto newspaper violated the public interest, or the interest of peace and good order of the people, lead to the conclusion that the impugned order was made in violation of the right of freedom of expression provided in Article 18(1) of the Constitution of Tanzania, or as provided for in Articles 19(3) of the ICCPR and 27(2) of the African Charter as a measure of universally accepted human rights standards.
Further, the order derogates from the principles of democracy and adherence to the principles of good governance, the rule of law and social justice. Court also found the order failed to conform with and adhere to the principles of accountability and transparency. By issuing orders whimsically and which were merely his “opinions” and by failing to recognize the right to freedom of expression and press freedom as a basic human right which should be protected, recognized and promoted in accordance with the provisions of the African Charter, the Minister acted unlawfully.
The Court in making the findings noted that, the provisions of Articles 6(2) and 7(d) as well as 8(1) the Treaty, are binding and not merely aspirational. The provisions are justiciable and create an obligation to every Partner State to respect those sacrosanct principles of good governance, and rule of law which include accountability, transparency and the promotion and protection of democracy. That these principles were violated in this case and further found that whereas the rights to press freedom, to received and impart information are not absolute, in the present case, the restrictions were unlawful, disproportionate and did not serve any legitimate or lawful purpose.
The Court having held that the Minister acted in breach of the Treaty, it ordered that an unlawful action must be followed by an order taking the parties to the state of affair that existed previously as of 9th August, 2016 by ordering the resumption of the publication of Mseto as prayed.
The Court finally emphasised that, according to Article 38(3) of the Treaty, the United Republic of Tanzania is expected to take measures without delay, to implement this Judgment within its internal legal mechanisms.
The Judgment was delivered by the following Honourable Judges: Lady Justice Monica Mugenyi (Principal Judge), Mr Justice Isaac Lenaola (Deputy Principal Judge), Justice Dr. Faustin Ntezilyayo, Mr Justice Fakihi A. Jundu and Mr Justice Audace Ngiye.
Note for editors:
Articles 6(d) provides on; Fundamental Principles of the Community
The fundamental principles that shall govern the achievement of the objectives of the Community by the Partner States shall include:
(d) good governance including adherence to the principles of democracy, the rule of law, accountability, transparency, social justice, equal opportunities, gender equality, as well as the recognition, promotion and protection of human and peoples rights in accordance with the provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights;
Article 7 : Operational Principles of the Community
2. The Partner States undertake to abide by the principles of good governance, including adherence to the principles of democracy, the rule of law, social justice and the maintenance of universally accepted standards of human rights.
Article 8: General Undertaking as to Implementation
The Partner States shall: (c) abstain from any measures likely to jeopardise the achievement of those objectives or the implementation of the provisions of this Treaty.
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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.
