East African Community Secretariat; Arusha, Tanzania; 30 June 2017:
The Deputy Director of Productive and Services Sector in Kenya’s Ministry of East African Community (EAC), Labour and Social Protection, Mr. Julius Mwabu, has challenged the youth in Kenya and the EAC region as a whole to actively take part in the competition to design the new EAC brand that will stand the test of time.
Mwabu, who represented the State Department of EAC (SDEAC) Principal Secretary at the sensitization and launch of the EAC emblem and logos design competition SDEAC Headquarters in Nairobi, said the re-design of the EAC brand architecture was occasioned by the current brand lacking visual connection between the EAC Organs and Institutions, as well as being not adaptable to the expansion of the Community.
“EAC is expanding because it is attractive and progressing, the benefits are visible like the Single Customs Territory, a Common Market, a common higher education area, One Stop Border Posts, among other things. These achievements are making our region the envy of the neighboring countries and they want to be part of us and therefore the youth should help the Community to design the brand architecture that will bring out all these developments and stand the test of time,” said Mwabu.
He underscored the importance the Community attaches to the youth in re-designing the new look for the Community “because the youth are the future of any activity and entrusting this critical activity in their hands was a decision made by the Council of Ministers, the EAC’s policy making organ.
He commended the EAC Secretariat for implementing the Council decision on EAC brand architecture and ensuring that the EAC Emblem and Logos re-design competition was launched in all the six Partner States, namely South Sudan, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.
The EAC Secretariat dedicated the month of May/June 2017 for conducting sensitization workshops and launch of the EAC Brand Architecture by involving the youth in all the Partner States. In this regard, sensitization workshops and launch events were held in the University of Juba on 29th – 30th May, 2017 (South Sudan); Ecole Technique des Arts de Gitega, 1st – 2nd June (Burundi); Huye campus, University of Rwanda, 5th to 6th June 2017 (Rwanda); University of Dar es Salaam, 8th to 9th June 2017 (Tanzania); Makerere University, Kampala, 26th – 27th June, 2017 (Uganda).
The Nairobi event was the last leg of the EAC Secretariat’s round trip to the Partner States to sensitize and launch the design competition. The Ministries responsible for EAC Affairs will now develop strategies for reaching out to other Universities, Artists, and Creative/Graphic Designers in the Partner States to interest and attract as many entries as possible.
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Notes to Editor:
Eligibility to participate in the EAC Brand Architecture Competition
(i) Youth aged between 18 years and 35 years; (ii) Organizations (Design companies) formed and owned by youth; (iii) Citizens from EAC Partner States (Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan; and Kenya; (iv) EAC youth living in the diaspora, and; (v) Participating youth must submit proof of age limit
Competition Awards
The EAC will award the first three winners of this competition as follows:
(i) 1st Prize award USD 25,000; (ii) 2nd Prize award USD 5,000; (iii) 3rd Price award USD 2,500;
Competition Deliverables
The primary deliverables expected from bidders will be the following:
(i) One EAC Emblem; (ii) 11 Logos for the EAC Organs (3) and EAC Institutions (8); (iii) The EAC Corporate Colour (s); (iv) Unique Identifier that will be adopted in the Emblem and Logos; (v) Justification for all proposals submitted, and; (vi) Brief graphic demonstration of the application of the Emblem and Logos in offline, and digital forms.
Technical Presentation and Submission of Concepts
The competition period will be held between 1st June 2017 to 31st August 2017. Submission of various design concepts will be allowed as long as they fulfill competition deliverables (as indicated above) for each design.
Bidders should submit their creative works in hard copy and digital forms (email and/or flash disk).
Digital files must be in their final form of publication and may be saved as JPEG or PNG or PDF formats submitted via email and/or flash disk. The resolutions should be at least 300 dpi. All submitted work will not be returned.
If electronic document transfer tools are used via email, they should NOT be time-bound or have expiry dates for downloading or sharing the documents.
Design samples must be submitted on not larger than an A4 size paper in either hard or soft copy through email or CD (inclusive of layout files, image files and all fonts used).
Submissions should be should be addressed to THE SECRETARY GENERAL, clearly marked “Design of EAC Emblem and Logos”. (i) By Registered Post: East African Community P.O. Box 1096 Arusha, Tanzania
(ii) By Hand Delivery: EAC Headquarter Barabara Ya Afrika Mashariki Arusha, Tanzania
(iii) By Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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; 28 June 2017:
Uganda’s Minister of State for East African Community Affairs, Hon. Maganda Julius Wandera, has urged the youth in the EAC region to embrace the spirit of competition.
Hon. Wandera said that the EAC and the world beyond were inherently competitive, adding that the youth would not benefit from the opportunities being created in the region if they were not ready to compete.
Hon. Wandera, who was speaking at the launch of EAC Brand Architecture Design Competition at the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) of Makerere University, Kampala, said ring-fencing the competition to the youths in the region is not by accident because the Community recognizes the significance of the youths in the integration process.
Hon. Wandera said that Partner States were obliged under Article 120 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC to engage the youth as a special interest group in the integration process.
The Minister said the Community encourages competition and that was partly the reason it enacted the EAC Competition Act 2006, which led to the establishment of the EAC Competition Authority, as one of the Institutions of the EAC.
“Although its main mandate is to curb unfair trade practices and protect consumers from sub-standard goods in the region in the region, its spirit is to engrain competitiveness in all our undertakings,” he said.
He told the students that the current EAC Logo and Flag were not adaptive to the expansion of the Community in terms of geographical location and the colour scheme, a situation which called for the re-designing.
The Hon. Minister commended the Team from the EAC Secretariat for ensuring that the EAC Emblem and Logo Re-design campaign takes off in the Partner States, which will eventually lead to redesigning of the identity symbols that will be aligned to the current developments in the region.
“The purpose of the EAC is to bring accelerated economic development for all and help us move away from a least developed to a developed region in the shortest possible time,” he added.
Earlier, a team from the EAC Secretariat led by the Head of Corporate Communication and Public Affairs Department, Mr. Owora Richard Othieno sensitized students/youths from CEDAT and other Universities within Kampala, who had converged at the CEDAT Conference Hall, on the latest developments taking place at the regional bloc and on the Brand Architecture Design Competition.
Mr. Othieno informed the students and youths that the positive developments taking place in all the pillars of the integration in the region were indicative of the right path EAC was pursuing. “Partly that is why some of the neighboring States want to associate and join the Community”, asserted Mr. Othieno, adding that “Our Community is moving forward, visible and focused”.
He said in the period ahead, emphasis will be on full implementation of the Single Customs Territory, EAC Common Market Protocol, East African Monetary Union Protocol, regional infrastructure development, and movement towards the Political Confederation as a Transitional Model of the East African Political Federation.
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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.
Inter-University Council for East Africa; Kampala, Uganda; 28 June 2017:
The Inter-University Council for East Africa will hold its 8th Meeting on 29th – 30th June, 2017 in Zanzibar, Tanzania under the theme “The Role of Universities in the Operationalization of the EAC Common Higher Education Area for Regional Integration.”
The meeting will be attended by Vice Chancellors and Principals of member universities, representatives from the Ministries responsible for higher education from each Partner State, and representatives from the private sector, The East African Community (EAC) Secretary General, the heads of commissions/councils for higher/university education, heads of national commissions/councils for science and technology, heads of EAC institutions and other higher education stakeholders including university students.
The first day the stakeholders will dialogue on The Role of Universities in the Operationalization of the EAC Common Higher Education Area for Regional Integration, the theme which has been chosen following the Declaration of the EAC as a Common Higher Education Area (EACHEA) during the 18th Ordinary Summit of EAC Heads of State held on 20th May 2017 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. On the second day the IUCEA members will discuss formal Annual Meeting business which will include report of activities implemented by IUCEA in the last year.
As a strategic institution of the East African Community (EAC) responsible for coordinating the development of higher education and research in the region, IUCEA has played a key role in coordinating various processes that have ultimately culminated into the Declaration of the EAC as a Common Higher Education Area, said the IUCEA Executive Secretary Prof. Alexandre Lyambabaje, adding that these include, among others, the Regional Quality Assurance System with its operational tools such the Road Map to Quality: A Handbook for Quality Assurance in Higher Education in five volumes; Principles and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in Higher Education, benchmarks for academic programmes and the East African Higher Education Quality Assurance Network (EAQAN), the East African Qualifications Framework for Higher Education (EAQFHE), which is both a human resources development tool and a platform for rationalization and mutual recognition of qualifications.
The Executive Secretary said that IUCEA is currently steering a number of initiatives on the development of centres of excellence in various fields maintaining that those centres will serve as hubs for the development of highly skilled human resources for the region. “Mobility of both academic staff and students, which is an important avenue for brain circulation; research and innovation are currently on top of IUCEA’s agenda to respond to various needs of our region. This is in cognizance of the fact that higher education plays a unique and pivotal role in promoting East Africa’s co-operation and regional integration,” he noted.
It is expected that at the end of the Dialogue Session, the participants will appreciate the account of what IUCEA has achieved in the development of various regional policies, guidelines, and standards that have contributed towards the transformation of the EAC into a Common Higher Education Area, be informed on the gist of the EAC Common Higher Education Area and what it entails as well as its contribution to the EAC integration agenda and socio-economic development, appreciate key roles each institution has to play in operationalising the EACHEA and take collective responsibility and devise common strategies to realize the long-awaited dream of an East African Common Higher Education Area.
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Notes to Editor:
The Annual Meeting is a platform for heads of higher education institutions to share the developments in higher education in the region and worldwide in order to maintain and enhance the standards and competitiveness of higher education in the region.
For more information, please contact:
Wilhelmina Balyagati Corporate and Public Relations Officer Inter-University Council for East Africa, Plot M833, Kigobe Road P. O. Box 7110 Website: www.iucea.org Tel: 256 414 256251/2 Mob: +256 774165467/ +255 768286690/+255788497339 Kyambogo, Kampala
About the Inter-University Council for East Africa:
The Inter-University Council for East Africa coordinates harmonisation of higher education and training systems in East Africa, facilitates their strategic development and promotes internationally comparable standards and systems.
East African Community Secretariat; Arusha, Tanzania; 27 June 2017:
A 3-day meeting of the Heads of Meteorological Service to spearhead the development of the Meteorological Sector in the region concluded at the EAC headquarters in Arusha,Tanzania on 21st July 2017.
Addressing participants at the opening session, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Planning and Infrastructure Eng. Steven D.M Mlote, informed the meeting that the provision of accurate and timely weather and climate information provides useful inputs into sectors such as agriculture; livestock development and food security; road, air and maritime transport; building and construction industry; health and public safety; disaster management and water resources management among others.
He further informed the meeting that the ratification of the EAC Protocol on the Cooperation in Meteorological Services was one of the key priorities. The protocol, once fully implemented, will rekindle the glory of the East African Meteorological Services. He called upon Partner States to fast track the ratification process.
Eng. Mlote requested the Heads of the Meteorological Services to explore new avenues in the unexplored territories to make the sector more visible. Some of the new opportunities worthy exploring includes: Weather Services for the Road Transport to reduce road fatalities associated with bad weather; Weather Services to the Health Sector; Weather Services for the New Standard Railways; Weather Services to support the new digital television broadcasting services; and Development of an EAC weather forecasting platform.
In his remarks the Chairman Dr. Festis Luboyera, Executive Director of Uganda National Meteorological Authority informed generally the seasonal March to May season was well forecasted and in line with the forecast made by the National Meteorological Services. He encouraged partner states to work with development partners to stabilize food security.
Director of Infrastructure (DI) at the EAC Secretariat, Dr Kamugisha Kazaura promised that the EAC Secretariat will continue to support the Meteorological Services and explore avenues through which the EAC can facilitate in supporting acquiring capital equipment to improve service delivery.
Among the key output of the meeting was the formation of a taskforce to assess the optimum number of weather stations and location of Radar Stations to avoid duplication of efforts and save on costs of procurement of meteorological instruments and equipment.
The meeting was attended by Heads of the Meteorological Services, Representative of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Weather Information Service Africa (WISER), IGAD Climate Prediction and Application Centre (ICPAC) as well as USAID PREPARED.
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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; 23 June 2017:
The EAC Partner States have marked a major milestone in their aspiration of placing agriculture as the engine of social and economic growth in the integration process with the signing of the EAC Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Compact.
The EAC CAADP Compact details regional development priorities and defines actions, commitments and partnerships required to achieve agricultural transformation in line with the CAADP goals and targets.
Addressing officials during the singing ceremony of the EAC CAADP Compact, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sectors, Hon. Christophe Bazivamo noted that the process of developing the EAC CAADP Compact has been a lengthy, inclusive and consultative one, aimed at building census and securing ownership among various stakeholders.
“The Compact is designed to facilitate coordination of regional and cross-cutting programmes that are best handled regionally and those that compliment agricultural programmes and projects at the national level in the Partner States,” added Hon. Bazivamo.
On his part, Uganda’s Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and Chairperson of the EAC Sectoral Council on Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Ssempijja V. Bamulangaki reaffirmed the EAC Partner States’ commitment to transforming agriculture for inclusive economic growth in the region.
“Over the years, efforts have been put in different sectors of integration such as infrastructure, it is now time that we assert ourselves, move with greater speed and ensure we take agriculture to the lead”, said the Minister.
CAADP’s overall goal is to use agriculture to eliminate hunger and reduce poverty in Africa. Through the CAADP agenda, African governments have agreed to increase public investment in agriculture to 10% of national budgets per year and to raise and maintain agricultural productivity and annual growth by at least 6%.
With the vision of “A Competitive and prosperous agriculture sector in East Africa”, the EAC CAADP Compact priorities focus on considerations for accelerating agricultural growth and transformation, that targets: increased agriculture production and productivity; increased intra African regional trade and better functioning of national and regional markets; expanded local agro-industry and value chain development inclusive of women and youth; increased resilience of livelihoods and improved management of risks in agricultural sector; and improved management of natural resources for sustainable agriculture.
The priority and focus areas in the EAC Compact include sustainable natural resource use and management; rural infrastructure, ICT and trade-related capacities for improved market access; food supply and reducing hunger; agricultural research, technology dissemination and adoption; enhancing resilience of livelihoods and production systems and Management of Risks; institutional and financial Strengthening; and cross cutting issues.
The Compact was signed by the EAC Partner States, the EAC Secretariat, the Inter- University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), the East Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF), the East African Business Council (EABC), the East Africa Civil Society Organizations’ Forum (EACSOF), the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
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Notes to Editor:
The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) is an African Union (AU), Africa-owned and Africa-led initiative designed to boost agricultural productivity in Africa. It was endorsed at the African Union Heads of State Summit as a New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) programme in July 2003.
The adoption of Malabo Declaration on Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Transformation in June 2014 by the AU Summit gave renewed legitimacy and mandate to the CAADP agenda. The Malabo Declaration focuses on delivering measureable results and impact, deepening the earlier CAADP Maputo commitments, and bringing focus on the need for institutional and policy change to create an enabling environment for concerted country and regional efforts directed towards delivering agricultural transformation.
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; 23 June 2017:
The Incubator for Integration and Development in East Africa (IIDEA) developed as a joint initiative between the EAC Secretariat, Regional Dialogue Committee (RDC), and GIZ was launched on Thursday, 22nd June, 2017, by Uganda’s 2nd Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of EAC Affairs and the Chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers, Hon. Dr. Ali Kirunda Kivenjija, at the commencement of the 5th Annual Secretary General's Forum for Private Sector, Civil Society and other Interest Groups, in Bujumbura, Burundi.
Speaking during the launch event, Hon. Kivenjija said through the IIDEA project, the EAC is not only very proud to support private sector, civil society and other interest groups in East Africa, who are the region’s most committed partners in integration, but also to be able to provide tangible opportunities for citizens to enable them support, own and champion the integration agenda.
"We believe doing this will not only bridge the gap between East African Citizens and the EAC, but also strengthen the integration process.”
He informed the participants that since the commencement of IIDEA’s activities in April 2016, a total of sixteen projects have been approved by the IIDEA Committee for support. “Two projects have been successfully completed, fourteen are currently under implementation and all are producing promising results”, asserted the Chairperson of the EAC Council.
“In addition, IIDEA pioneering projects focus on issues ranging from technological innovation, gender empowerment, cross border trade, SMEs promotion and development, market access and information, youth skills enhancement and employment, saving for healthcare, art incubation, cultural integration among others”, stated Hon.Kivenjija.
The Chairperson of the Council commended Regional Dialogue Committee (RDC), IIDEA Committee and GIZ for their contributions towards making the EAC integration more than just empty words. "We applaud you and ask that you continue with the good work.”
Addressing the participants of the forum earlier during the official opening of the 5th SG’s Forum, Burundi’s Minister to the Office of the President responsible for East African Community Affairs, Hon. Isabelle Ndahayo said the 5th Annual Forum was first and foremost organized in the spirit of widening and deepening the EAC integration process.
“As a matter of fact, the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community and especially Article 7 paragraph 1 (a) stipulates that the principles that shall govern the practical achievements of the objectives of the Community shall include people-centred and market driven cooperation”, added the Minister.
“I have no doubt that the themes and sub-themes developed in this 5th Annual Secretary General’s Forum are going to emphasize the involvement of the citizenry and its implementation in the context of multi-stakeholder partnerships.”
She reiterated the commitment of the Government of Burundi to the involvement of Private Sector Organizations (PSO), Civil Society Organizations (CSO) and other Interest Groups in the integration process by establishing a National Dialogue Committee in accordance with the directive of the Council of Ministers.
On his part, the EAC Secretary General, Amb Libérat Mfumukeko informed the participants that Article 127 (4) of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC specifically provides for an Annual Forum convened by the Secretary General of the East African Community that brings together the Parties to the Dialogue to discuss issues of mutual interest and engagement through sector specific fora.
He disclosed that the Civil Society Organizations has been fulfilling the principal of a people-centered Community by playing a major role in the implementation of the 4th EAC Development Strategy (2012/2016) and also advocacy for the extended Jurisdiction of East African Court of Justice (EACJ).
“Through their engagement in the integration process we have witnessed the negotiation and conclusion of Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) by professionals in the following areas; Accountants, Engineers, Architects; Veterinary Surgeons; the Land Surveyors and Advocates in East Africa, harmonization of education curricular with draft structures and frameworks leading to the harmonization of the EAC curricula developed and harmonized Draft Rules and Regulations guiding the conduct of Examinations in EAC Education institutions have been developed,” added the Secretary General.
Amb. Mfumukeko also highlighted the role of Private Sector in fulfilling the market driven principle of the Treaty by implementing the commitments enshrined within the EAC Customs Union and Common Market Protocols by improving the business and economic environment through evidence-based policy advocacy in the areas of harmonization of trade facilitation and regulatory framework, harmonization of product standards, advocating for free movement of the factors of production, as well as addressing trade barriers faced by women-owned businesses and Micro, Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
The Vice President of the East African Law Society, Ms. Anne Abeja said the biggest concern for any organization should be when their most passionate people become quiet. ‘’Let us, as participants and stakeholders of the SG’s Forum, not become quiet on matters of regional Integration‘’. We are here representing the people of East Africa, I believe we are passionate, that is why we are here to begin with, we therefore owe it to us all, to not just be heard but to be seen and felt as well in matters of Regional Integration and in implementing agreed recommendations”, affirmed Ms. Abeja.
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Notes to Editor:
EAC has been implementing the Consultative Dialogue Framework since December 2012 after its adoption by the 26th Meeting of the Council of Ministers. The Consultative Dialogue Framework provides for a structured dialogue between the East African Community, Private Sector Organizations, Civil Society Organizations and other Interest Groups and is guided by the principles enshrined in the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC (Articles 127, 128 and 129). The EAC Secretariat is organizing the SG’s Forum with support from GIZ.
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; Nairobi, Kenya; 20 June 2017:
A four-day planning meeting ahead of deployment of the EAC Election Observer Missions in the Kenya General Elections and Rwanda Presidential Elections due in August 2017, is underway in Nairobi, Kenya.
The meeting is being attended by officials from the National Human Rights Commissions, National Independent Electoral Commissions, Offices of the Registrar of Political Parties, and Ministries in charge of EAC Affairs in the Partner States of the United Republic of Tanzania, Burundi, Uganda, and South Sudan.
Addressing participants at the opening session, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Political Federation, Mr. Charles Njoroge noted that this was the first time the Community was engaging in two Election Observer Missions at the same time in two Partner States within a period of ten days. “That means we will need to double our efforts and level of preparations”, said the EAC official, adding that getting involved in Electoral Observation in the region is in fulfilment of the EAC Treaty objectives on democratization.
He said the upcoming elections in the Republics of Kenya and Rwanda were the last in the 2010-2020 Electoral Calendar and that the next General Election in the region will take place in 2020.
Mr. Njoroge disclosed that the upcoming Missions will be characterized by a slight departure from the traditional Mission composition as for the first time since EAC commenced Election Observations; the Community will not have the much-needed regional political dimension traditionally offered by members of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) because the 4th EALA is not yet constituted.
“Additionally, we will be welcoming on board the Republic of South Sudan who are to take part in the Missions for the first time. As we deliberate we will look at ways of ensuring that the absence of the EALA does not in any way impair the quality of the observation mission and the subsequent Report”, assured the Deputy Secretary General.
In the next four days, participants will be able to share information on election observation as a democratic benchmark, prepare for Election Observation in the Republics of Kenya and Rwanda including discussing the deployment plans and insight into the Kenyan Electoral Landscape.
Participants will also be able to engage with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission of Kenya. Consultation with the Rwanda National Electoral Commission will take place at a later date.
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Notes to Editor:
Pursuant to the provisions of Articles 123, 6 (d) and 3 (3) (b) of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community, the EAC will be deploying Electoral Observers to the Presidential Elections to be held in the Republic of Rwanda on 4th August 2017 and the General Elections to be held in the Republic of Kenya on 8th August 2017.
The Observer Missions headed by Eminent Persons from the EAC Region and comprised of nominees from the EAC Partner States facilitated by the Secretariat will undertake the exercise in line with guidelines contained in the EAC Principles on Electoral Observation and Evaluation, which heralded the institutionalization of Election Observation in the EAC Partner States.
The EAC has previously fielded Election Observer Missions to Elections in the Republic Kenya 2013, Republic of Rwanda, Republic of Burundi 2005, 2010, 2015, The United Republic of Tanzania 2015, the Repeat Elections in Zanzibar 2016, and the Republic of Uganda 2016, among others.
The deployment of the Short-Term Observation Mission will be preceded by Pre-Election Monitoring Missions whose remit will be to look at the playing field based on a number of variables. The length of both Missions will thus be 14th July to 12th August 2017 for the Republic of Kenya and 9th July to 7th August 2017 for the Republic of Rwanda.
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; 19 June 2017:
The 10th meeting of the EAC Sectoral Council of Minister on Agriculture and Food Security is ongoing with the Session of Senior Officials at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The Session of Senior Officials will be followed by the Coordination Committee Session which comprises Permanent/Principal Secretaries of Agriculture from the EAC Partner States on Wednesday 22nd June, 2017, and Ministers/Cabinet Secretaries Session on 23rd June, 2017.
Among the items on the agenda are consideration of the reports on Implementation of previous Council and Sectoral Council Decisions, Formulation of EAC Food Security Action Plan Phase 2 ( 2017-2021) and Development of EAC Food and Nutrition Security Strategy ( 2017-2021).
In addition on the agenda for discussion will be reports on Promoting Youth Employment in Agriculture Project as well as Livestock and Fisheries Development.
Addressing the Sectoral Council at the official opening session, Director of Productive Sector at the EAC Secretariat, Mr. Jean Baptiste Havugimana informed the meeting that the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) was adopted by the 9th Sectoral Council on Agriculture and Food Security (SCAFs) in January, 2016 and subsequently approved by the 34th Council of Ministers during the same year.
Mr. Havugimana who represented Hon Christopher Bazivamo, EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sector, said the adoption EAC CAADP Compact defines regional high level commitment and agricultural transformation priorities. It focuses on facilitating coordination of regional programs that complement agricultural programs at the national level contained in national agriculture investment plans.
"I am grateful to inform you that, the approved final EAC CAADP Compact will be signed during this Sectoral Council by the designated stakeholders."
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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; 19 June 2017:
Preparations for the 5th Annual Secretary General's Forum for Private Sector, Civil Society and Other Interest Groups, to be held in Bujumbura, Burundi on 22nd to 23rd June 2017, are in high gear with participants drawn from Governments of EAC Partner States, Private Sector Organization’s (PSOs), Civil Society Organisation (CSO’s), Professional bodies, Academia/Universities, Media and EAC Organs and Institutions, Development partners and other interest groups.
The forum aims to provide an opportunity for the private sector, civil society and other interest groups to share experiences and good practices of the integration process experienced in the last 15 years and work out a coordinated strategy towards a common future of a political integration and a borderless community.
Each year, the Secretary General’s Forum deals with a wide range of topics that are at the heart of the integration process in East Africa. This year, the central topic will concern the progress, challenges and future of the implementation of the Common Market Protocol, particularly the free movement of labour and services. Through consultation and dialogue, non-state actors and EAC officials will agree upon concrete policy measures to be implemented by the EAC Secretariat and Partner States.
The two-day 5th Annual Secretary General's Forum themed “15 Years of The EAC: Towards a Borderless Community” will discuss different topic including;
The implementation of the free movement of labour and services between the six Partner States of the EAC.
Sustainable development in relation to improving food security and agricultural value chains, localising the climate change agenda and increasing gender equality.
The promotion of local production through public procurement, especially in relation to infrastructural projects within the EAC.
The impacts of ICT in enhancing the free movement of goods and services and impact of media as enablers of stronger citizen participation in the process.
This year’s forum will see the launching of Incubator for Integration and Development in East Africa (IIDEA) as one of the key event. IIDEA was developed as a joint initiative between the EAC Secretariat, Regional Dialogue Committee (RDC) and GIZ in order to demonstrate the tangible benefits of integration to citizens. Through IIDEA, regional integration projects are proposed and implemented by civil society, private sector and interest groups.
The inclusion of private sector, civil society and interest group stakeholders through the consultative framework of the Secretary General’s Forum is key to realising the goals envisaged in the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community. Through the Annual Secretary General’s Forum, East Africa takes another step towards the vision of one people, one destiny.
The forum is being organized by the EAC Secretariat with support from GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH)
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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; 16 June 2017:
The Registrar of the Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals (MICT), His Worship Olufemi Elias, accompanied by Mr. Samuel Akorimo, Head of Office MICT Registry Arusha Branch and Mr. Ousman Njikam, External Relations Officer, Arusha Branch today paid courtesy call on the EAC Secretary General, Amb Liberat Mfumukeko. The Secretary General and his guests explored areas of collaboration including Peace and Security in the region.
The Secretary General briefed His Worship Olufemi Elias on the current achievements in the pillars of the regional integration and development process. He disclosed to the Registrar that the Community had expanded tremendously within a short spell of time which has necessitated a review of its institutional set-up and work on a sustainable financing mechanism.
On his part, the Registrar informed the Secretary General on the structure of MICT and explained that, the Mechanism has two branches: one in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania, which covers functions inherited from the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), Arusha Branch, and the other in the Hague, the Netherlands, which covers functions inherited from the International Criminal Tribunal for Yugoslavia (ICTY), the Hague Branch. The Arusha Branch additionally has a satellite field office located in Kigali, Rwanda ("Kigali Office”).
In addition, his Worship said that, the Mechanism is responsible for the preservation, including the management and access, of the ICTR, the ICTY, and the Mechanism archives. These archives includes; investigations documents , indictments, and court proceedings, the protection of witnesses, work relating to the detention of accused persons, the enforcement of sentences, and the Tribunals’ relationships with other law enforcement authorities in member countries.
Mr. Samuel Akorimo, Head of Office MICT Registry Arusha Branch added that with the completion of the ICTR’s mandate at the end of 2015, and the expected completion of the ICTY’s mandate at the end of 2017, further cases related to crimes committed in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia are now being tried within national jurisdictions.
Accompanying the Secretary General at the meeting was the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Finance and Administration, Hon Jesca Eriyo.
Meanwhile, the Secretary General also met the Director of the East African Local Governments Association (EALGA), Eastern Africa Regional Office, Dr Juma Menhya accompanied by his Programme Assistant, Mr Baraka Marandu who had paid him a courtesy call in his office.
The Secretary General and his guest discussed several issues including how EALGA can strengthening their advocacy and commitment with EAC and other intergovernmental bodies by establishing structured dialogue platforms.
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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.
