East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, 13th March, 2019: Preparations for the 4th Edition of the East African Community Arts and Culture Festival, popularly known as Jumuiya ya Africa Mashariki Utamaduni Festival (JAMAFEST), are already in high gear with the 1st meeting of the Regional Steering Committee (RSC) being held from 4th to 8th March, 2019 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The 1st meeting of the Regional Steering Committee was chaired by Mr. Nyakana Oswald, the EAC and Eastern Africa Officer in Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, while Mr. Gwamaka Lazarous Mwandwani, the Community Development Officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Tanzania was the Rapporteur.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, 12th March, 2019: The Republic of Ireland has hailed the commitment of the six East African Community (EAC) Partner States to the EAC integration process.
Ireland’s Ambassador to Tanzania and the EAC, H.E. Paul Sherlock, further disclosed that his country would continue to promote trade and development cooperation between his country and the EAC.
East African Court of Justice Arusha 12th March, 2019: The First Instance Division on Monday heard the case filed by the government of Burundi (Applicant) challenging the process of electing the current Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) which was held on 19th December, 2017.
The Applicant argues that the elections that were held in the absence of the Honourable Members of the Republic of Burundi and the United Republic of Tanzania are in violation of the fundamental Principles of the Community under Articles 6 (d), 7 and 57 (1) and Rule 12 (1) of EALA Rules of Procedure.
The matter came before Honourable Judges Lady Justice Monica Mugenyi (Principal Judge), Justice Dr Faustin Ntezilyayao (Deputy Principal Judge), Justice Fakihi A. Jundu, Justice Dr. Charles Nyawello and Justice Charles Nyachae.
Mr. Nestor Kayobera, the Counsel representing Burundi, submitted to court that the election of the Speaker of EALA is governed by the EAC Treaty and the Assembly’s Rules of procedure and that Article 9 (4) of the Treaty obligates Organs and Institutions of the Community to perform the functions and act within the limits of the powers conferred upon them by the Treaty.
Mr. Kayobera also contended that the issue of quorum is a Treaty obligation under Article 57 and rule 12 (1) of EALA Rules of Procedure which provides that; The quorum of the House or of the Committee of the Whole House shall be half of the elected Members and such quorum shall be composed of at least one third of the elected Members from each Partner State”.He argued that, violation of the rule on quorum entails violation of the Treaty.
Counsel further submitted that on 19th December, 2017, the Speaker of EALA was elected without the Members from Burundi and Tanzania hence a violation of the principles of good governance and Rule of Law. Mr. Kayobera also argued that Article 23 of the Treaty provides powers to the Court as the judicial organ to ensure adherence to law in the interpretation and application of and compliance of the Treaty.
Summing up his submissions, Mr. Kayobera said that the Speaker of EALA was not elected in accordance with the Treaty and the Rules of the Assembly and therefore asked the Court to order re election in accordance to the Treaty and rules of the Assembly. Mr Kayobera appeared with Mr Vyzigiro Diomede, State Attorney in the Attorney General’s Office Burundi.
Dr Anthony Kafumbe, representing the Secretary General (Respondent), on his part, submitted that the election of the Speaker was done under Part III of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly. He further submitted that under Part III of EALA Rules of procedure, Rule 6 (9) (c) on the election of the Speaker, it is not mandatory for every member to vote, hence the Members of Burundi and Tanzania had liberty not to vote. Rule 6 (9) (c) states that; “After all Members who wish to vote have voted, the Clerk shall in full view of the Members present, empty the ballot box and immediately count the ballot paper contained in it”.
He also argued that the issue of quorum does not apply, that it only applies when the house is duly constituted. He therefore submitted that there was no illegal election process, that the Speaker was elected under relevant provisions of the Rules of procedure of the Assembly and that the election process did not violate the Treaty.
Dr. Kafumbe further submitted that as Article 9 of the Treaty obligates the Organs and Institutions of the Community, the Assembly acted within its mandate and in accordance with its rules of procedure.
Dr. Kafumbe also contended that Members of the Assembly have accepted the Speaker and a lot of business is going on and therefore, it would not be helpful to nullify the election and order fresh election.
Dr. Kafumbe also took issue with the Affidavits sworn by the Applicant’s Counsel on the basis of information relayed to him by EALA’s Members from the Republic of Burundi and submitted that the Court should reject the said affidavits as evidence since Counsel was not a witness and could not even have been a witness and a Counsel at the same time; the impugned affidavits ought to have been sworn by the Burundi’s Members of EALA, he argued.
In light of his submissions, Dr. Kafumbe prayed that the Reference be dismissed with costs to the Respondent. Dr Kafumbe was accompanied by Ms. Brenda Ntihinyurwa, a Legal expert in the Office of the Counsel to the Community.
The Intervener, Hon. Fred Mukasa Mbidd,e represented by Mr Donald Deya, Mr. Justin Semuyaba and Mr Nelson Ndeki in court, associated their submissions with the Respondent and asked the Court not to grant the orders sought by the Applicants.
The Court will deliver the judgment on notice.
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
The current Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly is Rt Hon Martin Ngoga from the Republic of Rwanda, he was elected on 19th December 2017. The position of the Speaker is rotational and serves a period of five years.
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For more information please contact: Yufnalis Okubo, Registrar, East African Court of Justice Tel: +255 27 2162149 Arusha, Tanzania Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. http://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.
East African Health Research Commission, 11th March 2019: Bujumbura: The 2nd meeting of the Regional Steering Committee for the preparation of the 7th East African Health and Scientific Conference (EAHSC) concluded on Friday in Dar es salaam, with delegates commending the National Steering Committee of the Host Country (United Republic of Tanzania) for the good work done so far in preparation for the event.
The Regional Steering Committee that met on 7th to 8th March 2019 at the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), reviewed progress and provided advice where necessary on the preparations.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, 8th March, 2019: The East African Community has joined the rest of the world in marking the 2019 International Women's Day under the theme, Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change. The 8th March 2019 event was held at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
As provided for in Articles 121 and 122 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC, Partner States have undertaken various efforts to enhance the Role of Women in Business and Socio-Economic Development.
East African Legislative Assembly, Arusha, Tanzania: 8th March, 2019: EALA yesterday considered and approved supplementary budget estimates for the Financial Year ending June 2019, totaling $12,162,587. Subsequently, the House also passed the EAC Appropriation Bill 2019 to anchor the said budget and to avail the funds for additional expenditure of the Organs and Institutions of the Community.
The Deputy Minister of the EAC in the United Republic of Tanzania, Hon Dr Damas Ndumbaro acting on behalf of the Chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers, presented the Budget Speech to an attentive House.
East African Legislative Assembly, Zanzibar, Tanzania: 8 March, 2019: The regional Assembly is urging Partner States to fully implement the Common Market Protocol to allow for free movement of persons, goods and services. In addition, there is need for enhanced visibility of the regional bloc and for all Partner States to harmonise their national laws to conform to that of the Community. EALA late yesterday afternoon adopted the report of the sensitization activities undertaken in the Partner States between February 1-6th, 2019, under the theme, “EAC Integration agenda: Accessing the Gains and Assessing the Challenges”. At the sensitization activities, the EALA Members met with representatives of the private sector, parliamentarians, civil society, the private sector and media among others. The objectives of the week-long activity among others, were to sensitize EAC citizens on the overall integration process and promote liaison with EAC National Assemblies and other key stakeholders.
Lake Victoria Basin Commission Secretariat, Kisumu, Kenya: Scientists from International Nitrogen Management Systems (INMS), Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, and Makerere University in partnership with Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) collectively reflected on strategies of harnessing Nitrogen for productivity in Lake Victoria Basin region.
East African Health Research Commission, 7th March 2019: Dar es Salaam: The Executive Secretary and CEO of the East African Health Research Commission, Prof. Gibson Sammy Kibiki, has disclosed that all is set for the 7th East African Health and Scientific Conference (EAHSC) due to take place on 27th to 29th March 2019 at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNCC) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Prof. Kibiki, who was addressing a Press Conference on the sidelines of the 2nd Meeting of the Regional Steering Committee of the 7th EAHSC taking place at the Tanzania’s National Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) in Dar es Salaam, confirmed that the Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania, H.E. Samia Hassan Suluhu has confirmed gracing the official opening of the event.
The theme of the 7th East African Health and Scientific Conference (EAHSC) is Technology for health systems transformation and attainment of the UN-Sustainable Development Goals.
At the press conference, the Executive Secretary was flanked by Prof. Mohammed Bakari Kambi, the Chief Medical Officer in Tanzania’s Ministry of Health; Prof. Yunus Mgaya, the Director General of NIMR; and Prof. Eligius Lyamuya, the Chair of the 7th East African Health and Scientific Conference (EAHSC).
Prof. Kibiki informed the Journalists that the EAC Council of Ministers approved convening of the biannual event and hosted on a rotational basis by the EAC Partner States through their respective National Ministries responsible for EAC Affairs, Ministries responsible for Health, and other relevant organizations, and in close collaboration with regional and international health-related NGOs, civil society organizations, individuals, and stakeholders.
He noted that the EAHSC contributes towards strengthening regional cooperation in health in line with Article 118 of the Treaty for the Establishment of EAC as well as other relevant provisions of the EAC Common Market Protocol. “It enhances the ideals of the EAC, which is free movement of People, Services, and Goods”.
Prof. Kibiki informed the media that based on the Protocol establishing the East African Health Research Commission (EAHRC); the Commission is tasked with the responsibility of coordinating the East African Health and Scientific Conference & International Health Exhibition and Trade Fair.
The EAHSC will bring together stakeholders of the health sector from EAC (EAC Secretariat, East African Legislative Assembly, East African Court of Justice, members of the EAC Council of Ministers, members of the Summit, and EAC institutions, EAC Partner States that include Ministers of Health, Finance, Higher Education, Science and Technology, Members of Parliament from National Assemblies, government officials, researchers, scientists, practitioners, civil society, media, donors and development partners and the public at large.
As part of the pre-conference meetings, the East African Health Research Commission will organize the 1st East African Government Leaders, Legislators, and Legal Executives’ Forum (EAGLES’ Forum) on 26th March 2019 also in Dar es Salaam.
EAGLES’ Forum was approved by the 15th EAC Sectoral Council of Ministers of Health as one of the pre-conference meetings of the East African Health and Scientific Conference. It is a dialogue between Bureaucrats and Technocrats that brings together EAC government leaders, members of parliament, Officials from the judiciary system, health experts and the EAHRC to discuss health issues.
“Bringing together the three pillars of governance in the EAC and its Partner States, the forum allows for attaining consensus and collective position on pertinent health issues” noted Prof. Kibiki, adding that “the 1st EAGLES’ Forum will focus on the Digital Regional East African Community Health (REACH) Initiative Strategic Plan approved by the 17th Sectoral Council of Ministers”.
The dialogue will center on alignment of Digital REACH Initiative and Digital Health Initiatives in EAC Partner States; and on addressing issues of resources mobilization for the Digital REACH Initiative. Digital REACH Iniitative will be launched during the opening ceremony of the 7th EAHSC.
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For more information, contact:
Office of the Executive Secretary East African Health Research Commission (EAHRC) East African Community Quartier Kigobe, Avenue des Etats Unis, n°71 B.P. 350 Bujumbura, Burundi Mob: +25775568506 Tel: +(257) 22 27 99 80/1/2 Web: http://www.eac.int
About the East African Health Research Commossion:
The East African health Research Commission (EAHRC) is an Institution of the East African Community is a mechanism for making available to the Community, advice upon all matters of health and health-related research and findings necessary for knowledge generation, technological development, policy formulation and practice; and for related matters. It is the principal advisory institution to the EAC on health Research and Development (R&D).
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 5th March, 2019: Above normal rainfall is expected in the East African region over the next few months, a scenario that could expose the region to increased risks of disease outbreaks.
This forecast is based on the regional climate outlook for the March to May 2019 long rainfall season provided by the Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum held in Entebbe, Uganda.
