East African Community Secretariat; Nairobi, Kenya; 12 April 2017:
The Secretary General of the East African Community (EAC), Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko paid a courtesy call on the Trademark East Africa (TMEA) CEO, Mr. Frank Matsaert on Tuesday, 11th April, 2017, at the Trade Mark East Africa Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.
The two officials had a lengthy discussion on a number of issues including the support to the East African Community by TMEA and the importance of Partnership between the two parties.
The Secretary General briefed Mr. Frank Matsaert on the reforms being undertaken at the EAC and that EAC was now ISO certified. He disclosed to the TMEA CEO that the impact of reforms had led to cost reduction in the way EAC does business and emphasized that the reform agenda will continue to ensure efficiency in the use of available resources.
On management of different projects at the EAC Secretariat, Amb. Mfumukeko informed Mr. Matsaert that the Projects Coordination Unit will be fully functional by July 2017. On his part, Mr. Frank Matsaert emphasized that TMEA takes EAC partnership seriously, and congratulated the EAC for passing the EU Fiduciary Risk Assessment, which TMEA supported.
Mr. Matsaert informed the Secretary General that a commitment had been made to support the initial phase of operationalization of the Projects Coordination Unit at the EAC Secretariat. “Already a consultant had been recruited by TMEA to help in the finalization of the design of the unit”. The report will be finalized by end of April 2017, added the CEO.
Mr. Matsaert also expressed his happiness on the video conferencing facility installed at the EAC Secretariat and in the Partner States supported by TMEA that is working and contributing to the reduction of costs.
He made a request to the Secretary General for computation of the savings by the video conferencing facility since it started operating. “There is need to double up the video conferencing facility to allow two or three meetings at the same time.”
The Secretary General and the Trade Mark CEO agreed to work more closely with other Development Partners to avoid any potential duplication of programs. They also noted the need for a joint meeting especially between EAC, TMEA and European Union (EU) to identify areas of joint implementation.
The two officials also agreed to review the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between EAC and TMEA. They identified level of engagement especially at Projects Coordination Committee as one area that needed to be revisited.
Mr. Matsaert told the Secretary General that TMEA is planning to send a high level mission to visit EAC for deeper discussions.
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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; 10 April 2017:
African countries have been called upon to develop the necessary tools to ensure the implementation of the June 2014 African Union Heads of State Malabo Declaration on Agriculture Growth and Transformation in Africa.
Mr. Mbosonge Mwenechanya, the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development (CAADP) Focal Point at the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), said that African governments need to know where their countries were on the implementation of the Malabo Declaration and why.
Mr. Mwenechanya said that agriculture was the engine of economic growth, development and transformation for most African countries, adding that without visionary leadership, African agriculture would suffer.
Mr. Mwenechanya said that agriculture provides the most diverse base for industrialization and the biggest potential for poverty reduction and employment creation in Africa.
He said that within the COMESA region, for instance, agriculture is the source of 50% of the raw materials for industry and employs 70% of the workforce.
Mr. Mwenechanya was addressing delegates during the opening session of a five-day regional training workshop on the preparation of the Biennial Report on the Malabo Declaration in Arusha, Tanzania.
The workshop which is being attended by delegates from Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda has drawn participants from CAADP Member States, African Union and three Regional Economic Communities, namely COMESA, East African Community and the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development.
In his remarks, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sectors, Hon. Christophe Bazivamo, said that the EAC had made steady progress in embracing the CAADP agenda.
In a speech read on his behalf by the Director of Productive Sectors, Mr. Jean-Baptiste Havugimana, Hon. Bazivamo disclosed that the EAC had realized steady progress with the support of the African Union Commission, NEPAD and USAID.
“The EAC Secretariat is working closely with Partner States and has developed key CAADP instruments including the EAC CAADP Compact and Results Framework. A draft Regional Agriculture Investment Plan (RAIP) has been developed and is currently undergoing validation at the national level in the EAC Partner States,” said Hon. Bazivamo.
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Notes to Editor:
The Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) is Africa’s policy framework for agricultural transformation, wealth creation, food security and nutrition, economic growth and prosperity for all. In Maputo, Mozambique, in 2003, the African Union (AU) Heads of Summit made the first declaration on CAADP as an integral part of the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD).
The AU Summit of June 2014 gave renewed legitimacy and mandate to CAADP as Africa’s policy framework for agriculture growth and transformation for shared prosperity – the Heads of State adopted the Malabo Declaration on Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Transformation for Shared Prosperity and Improved Livelihoods.
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; 10 April 2017:| The Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sectors, Hon. Christophe Bazivamo, has commended the EAC Partner States for their willingness to promote Tourism and Wildlife Management sector in a coordinated manner as illustrated by their renewed commitment in supporting regional tourism development and wildlife conservation, in the overall context advancing the EAC integration agenda.
The Deputy Secretary General, who was addressing Partner States’ delegates attending the just concluded 7th Meeting of the Sectoral Council on Tourism and Wildlife Management in Kampala, Uganda, reiterated the need to continuously market the region as a single destination and the need for the region to enhance its marketing strategies not only internationally but also regionally.
East African Community Secretariat; Arusha, Tanzania; 10 April 2017: The East African Community in collaboration with the Arusha and Moshi Rwandan Community and the UN Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals (MICT) commemorated the 23rd Anniversary of the Genocide Against the Tutsi on 7th April 2017, at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
This year, Rwanda marks the 23rd commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Themed “Remember the Genocide against the Tutsi – Fight Genocide Ideology – Build on Our Progress”, the commemoration was an occasion to pay tribute to the more than one million innocent lives lost through the heinous extermination of Tutsis in Rwanda in 1994.
The commemoration began with a walk to remember from the East African Community Secretariat Headquarters to Arusha City Centre followed by a wreath laying ceremony led by the Regional Commissioner, Arusha, Mr. Mrisho Gambo; the High Commissioner of Rwanda in Tanzania, Mr. Eugene Kayihura; the EAC Secretary General represented by the Deputy Secretary General in charge of Finance and Administration, Hon. Jesca Eriyo; and the MICT Registrar, Mr. Olufemi Elias.
The East African Community (EAC) staff led by Hon. Jesca Eriyo and Hon. Christopher Bazivamo; Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sectors, participated in a somber ‘walk to remember’ from the EAC Headquarters to Arusha City center.
On return to the venue, the front-liners of the ‘walk to remember’ lay flowers at the Genocide Memorial Plaque at the EAC headquarters, after which commemorative candles were lit in honour of the lives lost during the horrendous genocide.
The commemoration brought together a broad spectrum of stakeholders including local government, religious groups, Trademark East Africa, GIZ, Rwandans from the diaspora, Arusha and Moshi Rwandan Community, EAC staff, United Nations Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals, University youth and schools children.
Speaking during the commemoration, Arusha Regional Commissioner, Mr. Mrisho Gambo called for East African Community to be at the forefront of preventing conflicts and fighting against genocide ideology and denial in the community that do escalate into mass murders, extermination and the genocide as we experienced in Rwanda in 1994.
“Let me register my appreciation to the Secretariat for having taken it over as EAC family to own this commemoration event as you have demonstrated by hosting us here in your premises’’.
Mr. Gambo urged the EAC Secretariat to continue in that spirit by putting in place policies geared towards preventing conflicts in the region and more specifically to adopt measures to combat the spread of genocide ideology and its denial in the Community.
“I am happy that there is a good number of youth in this room. The youth are usually misled and used in cases of violence, conflicts and as we witnessed in Rwanda the youth were very active in the killings of their peer innocent children during the genocide. It was awful, added Regional Commissioner.
He called upon the EAC leadership to do all it takes to design programs to support the youth to grow into responsible citizens. Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Tanzania, H.E. Ambassador Eugene Kayihura thanked the EAC Executive for taking the lead in organizing the event and standing with the Rwandan Community in this year’s commemoration.
Amb. Kayihura disclosed that Rwanda experienced a tragedy in which over a Million innocent Tutsis were savagely exterminated in a very horrific and systematic manner, during a three months’ Genocidal killing from 7th April to 4th July in 1994; meaning on average, 10,000 people were killed per day, yet all this happened as the entire world was simply looking.
He informed the invited guests that for the last 23 years Rwandans chose a completely different path of resilience and courage necessary to get solutions for their problems, rejecting the rotten politics of hatred and divisionism, thus, rebuilding Rwanda from the ashes.
Amb. Kayihura expressed his appreciation to the governments and the people of East African Community for standing in solidarity with the government and people of Rwanda during trying moment. “Not forgetting the African Union (AU) and the United Nation (UN) who have also set apart this day the 7th of April every year on their calendars as a special day to commemorate the 1994 genocide against Tutsi”, noted the Ambassador.
On her part, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Finance and Administration, Hon. Jesca Eriyo said that as the region and world at large commemorate for the 23rd time, it is important to reaffirm the fundamental truth that we are all created equal and we have certain alienable rights that include the right to life and no one has the right to take it away as it was done 23 years ago from the innocent children, men and women of Rwanda.
“Let’s join the Government and people of Rwanda to commemorate the 23rd anniversary of the Genocide against Tutsi and to encourage all EAC Partner States to be part of the event”.
The EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sector, Hon Christophe Bazivamo said the EAC region in general and the Government and the People of Rwanda in particular ask the world to stand against genocide denial and its ideology and to recognize the incredible bravery of those who rescued others during the genocide – at great risk to themselves and their families.
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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; 07 April 2017: The 35th Meeting of the East African Community Council of Ministers took place from 30th March to 4th April 2017 at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
Among other highlights was the key resolution of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) on promoting the use of Kiswahili and adopting it as one of the official languages of the Community.
The Council considered amendment of Article 137 of the EAC Treaty to include Kiswahili as one of the Official Languages of the Community and directed Partner States to formulate National Kiswahili Language Policies and enhance the use of Kiswahili in official domains as well as initiate the process of institutionalization of Kiswahili as one of the EAC Official Languages through the establishment of National Kiswahili Councils and National Kiswahili Associations.
In August 2016, EALA passed a Resolution to urge the Summit of EAC to amend the Treaty for the establishment of the East African Community to provide for Kiswahili as one of the official Languages of the Community.In January 2017, the resolution sailed through at the 4th Meeting-5th Session of the 3rd Assembly held in Kampala, Uganda during which, the lawmakers underscored the need to elevate Kiswahili as one of the official languages of EAC from its current status of lingua franca.
Article 119 of the EAC Treaty, provides for the development and promotion of indigenous languages especially Kiswahili as a lingua franca of the region. Kiswahili is not only recognized as a unifying language spoken by East Africans but it is rich in dialect and expression.
This therefore means that Kiswahili will soon be adopted as an official language within the Community as soon as the EAC Summit of Heads of State amend the treaty to accommodate the new resolution. After amendment, Partner States are expected to facilitate adoption of the language at the national level.
Adopting Kiswahili as the second official language within the region will therefore mean a step towards uniting the people of the region. It will also deepen and widen integration within the region. Embracing the language at the regional level will increase the participation of the people of East Africa in the affairs of the community.
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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; 07 April 2017: The East African Community Council of Ministers has appointed 31 East Africans to various positions at the EAC Secretariat.
The 35th Meeting of the Council which met at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania from 30th March-4th April, 2017 also appointed three (3) members of staff to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) and one to the East African Court of Justice (EACJ).
The Council further appointed four officers to the Lake Victoria Basin Commission, and one officer each to the East African Science and Technology Commission and the East African Health Research Commission.
The appointments to the Secretariat will address a biting staff shortage at the Secretariat which was occasioned by the departure of 26 members of staff due to retirement either on attaining the mandatory retirement age of 60 years or the expiry of their fixed term contracts.
The appointments were made after interviews conducted by the EAC Ad Hoc Service Commission which draws Commissioners from Public Service Commissions in the Partner States.
Among the appointees is Mr. Kenneth Apollo Bagamuhunda as the Director General, Customs and Trade to replace Mr. Peter Kiguta who retired on 1st December, 2016. Mr. Bagamuhunda was previously the Director of Customs at the Secretariat.
Mr. Kamugisha Kazaura is the new Director, Infrastructure replacing Mr. Philip Wambugu whose contract expired on 1st February, 2017.
Ms. Ruth Mtoi Simba is the new Director, Human Resources and Administration replacing Mr. Joseph Edison Ochwada who exited the Secretariat on 19th March, 2017. Ms. Simba was until her appointment the Principal Human Resource Officer.
Professional staff at the EAC are recruited on a five-year term, renewable once subject to a mandatory retirement age of 60 years.
The Council resolved that the appointments take effect from 4th April, 2017 and directed the Secretariat to conduct due diligence for the successful candidates before confirmation of their appointments.
The Council further directed the EAC Secretariat to ensure that an induction programme is conducted before the appointed staff assume office.
Full list of the appointed staff is available here
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For more information, please contact:
East African Community EAC Close, Afrika Mashariki Road P.O. Box 1096 Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania Tel: +255 (0)27 216 2100 Fax: +255 (0)27 216 2190 Email: eac [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, Tanznaia; 07 April 2017: The 35th EAC Council of Minister’s meeting has directed Partner States to commence issuance the New EA e-Passport by 31st January 2018, after the consideration of the different status of preparedness by the Partner States during their recent meeting in Arusha.
The Council directives came on the backdrop of the 17th Ordinary Summit of the EAC Heads of State directed the Partner States to commence issuance of the New EA e-Passport by 1st January, 2017 and implement the phase out programme for the current machine readable East African and National Passports from 1st January 2017 to 31st December 2018.
According to the 35th EAC Council of Minister’s report, Republic of Burundi reported that through Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement had completed the process of procuring the EA e-Passport booklets and is ready to commence issuance by 3rd April 2017.
The Republics of Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda reported to commence issuance of the New International EA e-passport not later than April 2017 while the United Republic of Tanzania will be ready to commence the issuance of EA e–Passport by 1st January 2018.
EA e-Passport is expected to boost free movement of people across the region and it will be in line with implementation of the Common Market protocol which guaranteed the right to move between countries in East Africa.
The EAC e–Passport will have Diplomatic, Service and Ordinary categories and is different from the current machine readable passport being issued by the Partner States. It will be valid for up to 10 years while the Diplomatic passport and service passport will be valid according to specific term of the service of the holder.
The standard international e-Passport will have a chip that holds the same information that is printed on the passport’s data page, the holder’s name, date of birth, and other biographic information. It will also contains a biometric identifier and have a digital photograph of the holder and security features to prevent unauthorised reading or “scanning” of data stored.
The new EAC travel document will come in red, green and sky blue —the colours of the EAC flag — but with text and national emblems, in gold to complete its face.The colour of the passport will depend on categories. For instance, EAC diplomats will carry a passport that is red in colour, green for officials and sky blue for ordinary people.
The outer front cover will have the words ‘East African Community’ in gold on top and below the name of the issuing Partner States will be pasted.
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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; 06 April 2017: The 35th Meeting of the EAC Council of Ministers that concluded on 4th April 2017 appointed the following successful candidates for the various positions at the EAC Secretariat and the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) with effect from 4th April, 2017 (EAC/CM 35/Decision 118)
EAC Secretariat
S/N
Position
Grade
Candidate Name
Partner State
Gender
1.
Director Infrastructure
P5
Kamugisha Kazaura
Tanzania
M
2
Director of Human Resources & Administration
P5
Ruth Mtoi Simba
Tanzania
F
3
Principal Planning and Research Officer
P4
Aime Uwase
Rwanda
M
4
Legislative Draftsman
P4
Kibirige Denis Kawooya
Uganda
M
5
Principal Customs Officer (Procedures and Facilitation)
P3
Arthemon Ndizeye
Burundi
M
6
Principal Librarian
P3
Hesbon Shikuku Kionge
Kenya
M
7
Principal Education Officer
P3
James Otieno Jowi
Kenya
M
8
Principal Tourism Officer
P3
Simon Wathigo Kiarie
Kenya
M
9
Principal Information Technology Officer
P3
Daniel Murenzi
Rwanda
M
10
Principal Resource Mobilization Officer
P3
Beata Mukabaranga
Rwanda
F
11
Principal Customs Officer (Compliance and Enforcement)
P3
Flavia Busingye
Rwanda
F
12
Principal International Relations Officer
P3
Suma Watson Mwakyusa
Tanzania
F
13
Principal Agricultural Economist
P3
Fahari Gilbert Marwa
Tanzania
M
14
Principal Trade Officer (Internal Trade)
P3
Monica Mihigo
Tanzania
F
15
Principal Political Affairs Officer
P3
David Michael Onen
Uganda
M
16
Principal Standards Officer
P3
Apolot Stella
Uganda
F
17
Principal Economist (Investment and Private Sector)
P3
Charles Omusana
Uganda
M
18
Senior Statistician
P2
Beatrice Niyonsaba
Burundi
F
19
Senior Meteorologist
P2
James Wewa Kivuva
Kenya
M
20
Senior Records Officer
P2
Caroline Mbula Wambua
Kenya
F
21
Senior Human Resources Officer (P2)
P2
Theophile Bazimaziki
Rwanda
M
22
Senior Materials Pavement Officer
P2
Suleiman Ahmed Athumani
Tanzania
M
23
Senior Accountant
P2
Alexis Songomwa
Burundi
M
24
Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Officer
P2
Samson Manirakiza
Burundi
M
25
Senior Livestock Officer
P2
Dr. David Balikowa
Uganda
M
26
Senior Energy Officer
P2
Byempaka Elsam Turyahabwe
Uganda
M
27
Customs Officer (Procedures and Facilitation)
P1
Evariste Munyampundu
Rwanda
M
28
Customs Officer (Tariff and Valuation)
P1
Anthony Aminiel Minja
Tanzania
M
29
Budget Officer
P1
Beatrice Jerono Rono
Kenya
F
East African Court of Justice (EACJ)
S/N
Position
Grade
Candidate Name
Partner State
Gender
1
Accountant - EACJ
P1
Alusaria Daniel Swai
Tanzania
F
The 35th Meeting of the EAC Council of Ministers appointed the following successful candidate for the position of Director General - Customs and Trade at the EAC Secretariat with effect from 4th April, 2017(EAC/CM 35/Decision 119)
S/No
Position
Grade
Candidate Name
Partner State
1.
Director General (Customs and Trade)
D1
Kenneth Apollo Bagamuhunda
Uganda
The 35th Meeting of the EAC Council of Ministers also appointed the following successful candidates for the various positions at the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) with effect from 4th April, 2017(EAC/CM 35/Decision 125)
S/N
Candidate’s Name
Position
Partner State
1.
Nahayo Anatole
Senior Research Officer
Burundi
2.
Patrick Muchoki
Assistant Sergeant-At-Arms
Kenya
3.
Ali Dotto Ntegwa
Accountant
Tanzania
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For more information, please contact:
East African Community EAC Close, Afrika Mashariki Road P.O. Box 1096 Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania Tel: +255 (0)27 216 2100 Fax: +255 (0)27 216 2190 Email: eac [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; 05 April 2017: The Republic of Uganda has officially taken over from the United Republic of Tanzania as the new Chairperson of East African Community.
The Republic of Rwanda became the new rapporteur during the 35th Meeting of EAC Council of Ministers which concluded yesterday at the EAC headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The tenure of office of the Chairperson of the EAC is one year and it is held on rotational basis among the Partner States as per Article 12 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC.
Speaking after taking over, the new Chairman of the EAC Council of Ministers, Hon. Dr Ali Kirunda Kivenjija, Uganda's Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of East African Affairs, said that the Council of Ministers meeting came at a time when there was growing demand by the East African citizens to see, touch and feel the tangible benefits of the regional integration especially following the launch of the Customs Union in 2005, the Common Market in 2010, and the Monetary Union in 2013.
"At this critical period, the Council’s contribution towards the regional integration process therefore cannot be overemphasized," Hon. Kivenjija. He urged EAC Partner States to enhance the visibility of the tangible benefits of the integration by implementing fully the Customs Union and Common Market protocols.
Hon. Kivejinja said that since the operationalization of the Customs Union and Common Market protocols, Partner States have not fully allowed the citizens to enjoy the anticipated benefits.
"Our people are still experiencing non-tariff barriers, harmonization of national laws to conform to the Protocols are still far, and popular participation in the integration process is still generally low in all the Partner States," said the Minister.
The new Chair of the Council also reminded members of the Council on the Summit directive to the Council to present a report on Alternative Financing Mechanism including the option of 1% of Imports from outside the Community in line with the Principle of Financial Solidarity and Equity. He urged the Ministers of Finance to finalize the proposal as soon as possible so that the Summit can be guided to this outstanding matter.
On his part, the outgoing Chair, Amb. Augustine Mahiga Tanzania's Minister for Foreign Affairs, East Africa, Regional and International Cooperation, called upon the Organs and Institutions of the Community to refocus and re-engineer how to move forward the integration agenda.
"I urge them to refrain themselves from unnecessary expenditures which amount equally to wastage of tax payers money," said Amb Mahiga. Amb. Mahiga disclosed that there are inbuilt challenges in any regional integration schemes which need to be addressed as long as they are known.
“Generally what I can say during our tenure we came across plains, hills and valleys but all is well."
EAC Secretary General, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, congratulate the new Chair on his appointment and expressed confidence that the Republic of Uganda would steer the Council and the Community to greater heights during her tenure as Chair. "I pledge my total commitment and support to you."
The Secretary General also thanked Dr Enos Bukuku, the outgoing Deputy Secretary General in charge of Planning and Infrastructure for six years of dedicated service to the Community. Dr. Bukuku is from the United Republic of Tanzania. "A lot of achievements have been registered during his tenure, the most notable one being finalization of the negotiations for the Monetary Union," said Amb. Mfumukeko. Dr. Bukuku was appointed by the EAC Heads of State Summit in April 2011. According to the EAC Treaty, the Deputy Secretaries General shall each serve on a three year term, renewable once and shall deputise for the Secretary General. Dr. Bukuku will be concluding his tour of duty at the end of April 2017. The 35th Meeting of the EAC Council of Ministers was also attended by the Uganda First Lady, Hon. Janet Kataha Museveni, who is also the Ugandan Minister of Education.
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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 Legislative Assembly; Dhaka, Bangladesh; 03 April 2017: EALA Speaker, Rt Hon. Daniel Fred Kidega is calling on global Parliamentarians to pay more attention in ensuring promotion of economic stimulus programmes that address social challenges and support local value chains in a bid to narrow the widening poverty gaps and redress inequalities.
At the same time, Rt Hon. Kidega says Parliaments should appropriate more resources in the States’ budgets to check on rising inequalities and hold Executive accountable on the same.
The Speaker was addressing the 136th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly (IPU) taking place in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The annual event which is themed: Redressing inequalities: Delivering on dignity and well-being for all” brings together over 50 Speakers and 1400 legislators from the globe.
In his remarks, Rt Hon. Kidega maintained that despite the emergence of BRIC countries and other economies as well as attempts to generate wealth, much more was needed to reduce the inequality and to raise the standards of living.
He said the East African Community region had similarly been gravely affected by inequalities. “The State of East Africa Report 2016 depicts not all citizens have seen or felt the benefits of increasing national GDP figures at the individual/family front. If anything, life continues to be harsher and harder. The economic boom has not generated the jobs as was expected, while levels of poverty and malnutrition remain high”, the Speaker said, while remaining optimistic the trend could be reversed.
The Speaker cited issues contributing to inequality as disparity in income levels throughout the world, uncertain political environments, the gender norms and stereotypes and the imbalance of economic power.
In many countries, Rt Hon. Kidega said, fruits of economic development increasingly failed to reach those who deserve the same – instead benefitting companies, financial services and vested interests. He said the rate of unemployment in the globe was similarly high.
“Statistics in East Africa reveals that 7 out of the 10 persons you see walking in the streets are jobless, while another 6 out of 10 live in informal settlements. Yet, the largest population, the youth, constitute about 8 out of 10 persons and their age range is below 30 years”, Such is replicable in many parts of the globe”, he noted.
The Speaker called on Parliaments to enact relevant legislation to make greater impact. He informed the convention that EALA had legislated a number of pieces that protect society and address inequalities including; the EAC Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2016, the EAC Gender, Equity and Equality Bill, 2016, the EAC Conflict Management Bill, 2011 and the EAC Human and Peoples Rights Act, 2011.
“He further called for dialogue to resolve political issues saying politically instigated inequalities more often than not arise from disputed elections and uncertainties which result into conflicts and sometimes wars. The ramifications are sometimes too much to bear leading to refugee crises and instabilities in the nations”, Rt Hon. Kidega said.
Analysts contend that Poverty reduction is often compromised by income inequality. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) urges poor and resource rich nations to simultaneously explore reduction of inequality and bolster long-term economic growth. However, inequality correlates to shorter spells of economic expansion and volatility to crises.
The 136th IPU was opened by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bangladesh, Hon. Sheikh Hasina at the Parliament of Bangladesh yesterday. The Prime minister thanked delegates for electing Bangladesh as the chair of both Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) and Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA). The Prime minister mentioned her government’s short, medium and long-term initiatives for the development of the country and said the government is making stride to build the country in a planned way.
“The 100 Million young people are prepared to make the world a better place. Let us not make them frustrated. They are the face of change and let us globalise human compassion”, he said.
The Emergency items include a call for urgent international action to save millions of people from famine and drought in parts of Africa and the Yemen jointly presented by the Republic of Kenya together with Belgium and the United Kingdom. Speaker of the Senate of Kenya, Rt Hon. Ekwe Ethuro, presented the merged proposal to the Assembly yesterday.
“We need to request for international organisations to come to the aid of the affected nations. Without global action, people will simply starve to death”, the Speaker remarked.The Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, Rt Hon. Rebecca Kadaga and the Speaker of the Burundi National Assembly, Rt Hon. Pascal Nyabenda also addressed the Assembly
In attendance also are a delegation of the Parliament of Rwanda led by the Deputy Speaker and legislators from the Transitional Assembly of the Republic of South Sudan.
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is the global organization of national Parliaments. It works to safeguard peace and drives positive democratic change through political dialogue and concrete action. To that end, IPU fosters contacts, co-ordination, and the exchange of experience among Parliaments and Parliamentarians of all countries. IPU also contributes to the defence and promotion of human rights - an essential factor of Parliamentary democracy and development. EALA is an Associate Member of the IPU.
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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 Legislative Assembly:
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.
