East African Community Secretariat; Arusha, Tanzania; 16 June 2017:
The outgoing German Ambassador to the United Republic of Tanzania and the East African Community, H.E Egon Kochanke, on Thursday 15th June 2017, paid a courtesy farewell visit on the Secretary General of the East African Community, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. H.E Egon Kochanke will be returning to Germany in June 2017 after three years’ tour of duty.
Addressing the Secretary General, Amb. Kochanke, who was accompanied by Dr. Helmut Schon, the Director of KfW Office in Dar es Salaam and Bernd Multhaup, the outgoing Head of GiZ-EAC Integration Office in Arusha, said he was proud to be associated with the positive developments taking place in the regional integration agenda.
The outgoing Ambassador said he was happy to have witnessed the construction of the EAC Headquarters and its official opening by the EAC Heads of State in November 2012. The German government contributed fully to the construction of the USD18.8m office complex.
He said during his tenure, he had great interaction with the EAC Secretariat and the Executive staff that made his work easier. He said he was contented with the German contribution to the Health and Education sectors, which were very critical in the livelihood of the East African citizens.
Amb. Konchake said he was leaving the region when peace and security was improving in both Burundi and the Republic of South Sudan.
The Ambassador disclosed that the business community in Germany were now viewing the EAC as a huge market, “for example the German carmaker Volkswagen (VW) will soon set up production plant in Kenya as it looks to sell more vehicles across the entire East African region and beyond“.
On his part, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, who was accompanied by his Deputies in charge of Finance and Administration, Hon. Jesca Eriyo; in charge of Productive and Social Sectors, Hon. Christophe Bazivamo; and in charge of Planning and Infrastructure, Eng. Stephen Mlote, congratulated his guest upon his successful tour of duty and for strengthening the relations between the EAC and Germany.
“You have been the champion of the EAC integration agenda and your personal support and involvement has been very encouraging to us”, asserted the Secretary General.
Amb. Mfumukeko informed his guest that the Secretariat will continue to stream its activities focusing on a few priorities which will produce results that impact on the lives of the East African citizens.
He said the Secretariat was currently assessing the performance of the 4th EAC Development Strategy as the basis for preparing the 5th Development Strategy.
The Secretary General commended the outgoing Ambassador for being behind some of the milestones in the EAC - Fedral Republic of Germany relations during his term in office.
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Notes to Editor:
During H.E Egon Kochanke’s term in office, the Federal Republic of Germany signed an Intergovernmental Agreement with the East African Community (EAC) to support regional health programmes.
In total, 30 million euros (USD 34 million) were to be invested in vaccines and health supply chain management. German Development Cooperation was also to provide 20 million euros for the procurement of vaccines against different diseases for children in the EAC. The programme is being implemented in collaboration with GAVI. The new commitment brought Germany`s contribution to regional immunisation programmes with the EAC to 60 million euros since 2012.
Germany also made available a grant of 10 million euros to support the establishment of the EAC Regional Centre of Excellence for Health Supply Chain Management.
The Federal Republic of Germany and the East African Community (EAC) also signed a Government Agreement of 7 million euros on Tuesday, December 6th 2016. The Secretary General of the East African Community Ambassador Liberat Mfumukeko signed on behalf of the Community while His Excellency Egon Kochanke, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the United Republic of Tanzania and also accredited to the East African Community signed on behalf the Germany Government.
Out of the 7 million euros, 3 million euros (in technical assistance) was to be invested in strengthening the pandemic preparedness of the region. The project was to support the operationalization of the EAC Regional Contingency Plan and a Regional Risk and Crisis Communication Strategy.
The other 4 million euros (in technical assistance) was to be invested in an Academic Center for Digital Innovation. The project was to support the set-up of a State of the Art Master programme focusing on embedded and mobile systems at an East African University, supporting the development of a skilled labor force in East Africa.
For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
East African Court of Justice; Arusha, Tanzania; 16 June 2017:
The First Instance Division heard an inter parties Application file by Wani Santido from the Republic of South Sudan against the Attorney General of the Republic of South Sudan, the Speaker of the Parliament of South Sudan and the Secretary General of the East African Community on 15th June 2017.
He was seeking court order to restrain the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) from administering the oath of office, or otherwise recognizing nominees from the Republic of South Sudan.
The Applicant represented by Donald Deya withdrew the Application after the consent by the Representatives of the Attorney General of South Sudan (1st Respondent) and the Speaker of the Transitional Legislative Assembly of the same (2nd Respondent). The two Respondents revoked the nomination of the nine (9) members to East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) as indicated in Resolution No. 04/2017, dated 13th June 2017 and adopted by the Transitional National Legislative Assembly of the government of South Sudan.
The 1st and 2nd Respondent also committed that they will hold fresh election which will meet the requirements of Article 50 of the Treaty for the establishment of the East African Community. The Secretary General of EAC 3rd Respondent aslo committed to provide a concise legal opinion and otherwise assist the 1st & 2nd Respondents to the best of his ability to abide by the requirements of the Treaty.
On 5th June 2017, the Court granted an interim Ex- parte order pending hearing of the Inter parties’ application. committed that they will hold fresh election that will meet the requirements of Article 50 of the Treaty for the establishment of the East African Community. The Secretary General of EAC will provide a concise legal opinion and otherwise assist the 1st & 2nd Respondents to the best of his ability to abide by the requirements of the Treaty. After they reached this consent the Applicant withdrew the Application which had been eariler filed to Court seeking the Court's order restraining the East African Legislative Assembly from administering the oath of office, or otherwise recognising nominees from the Republic of South Sudan. On 5th June 2017, the Court granted an interim Ex- parte order pending hearing of the Inter partes application today. The Applicant is called Wani Santido Jada . committed that they will hold fresh election that will meet the requirements of Article 50 of the Treaty for the establishment of the East African Community. The Secretary General of EAC will provide a concise legal opinion and otherwise assist the 1st & 2nd Respondents to the best of his ability to abide by the requirements of the Treaty. After they reached this consent the Applicant withdrew the Application which had been eariler filed to Court seeking the Court's order restraining the East African Legislative Assembly from administering the oath of office, or otherwise recognising nominees from the Republic of South Sudan. On 5th June 2017, the Court granted an interim Ex- parte order pending hearing of the Inter partes application today. The Applicant is called Wani Santido Jada .Mr. Wani Santino Jada who represented himself in Court at the ex parte hearing said that on or about the 11th March 2017, His Excellency the President of the Republic of South Sudan, Salva Kiir, appointed nine (9) persons to represent the said Partner State in EALA which was in violation of Article 50 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community. The swearing-in of EALA MPs that was due to take place on 5th June 2017 was postponed by the Assembly until further notice.
Both the Applicants and the Respondents have jointly applied for adjournment of the hearing of the main Reference which was scheduled for next week Wednesday 21st June 2017, until the elections have been held. The Applicant went ahead and submitted that, they got assurance from the 1st and 2nd Respondents that they will hold elections possibly next week.
The Court accepted the consent by the Respondents and allowed to be filed in the Registry.
The Representatives for the Respondents were Mr. James Mayen Oka for the Attorney General, under the Secretary of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Mr. Alalla Younis Said Loro, Clerk of Assembly Transitional National Legislative Assembly South Sudan, Ms. Florence Ochago Principal Legal Officer and Brenda Ntihinyurwa Legal expert for the Secretary General EAC. The Applicant was also present in Court.
The matter was before a bench of the First Instance Division of the Court comprised of Justices Monica Mugenyi, (Principal Judge); Isaac Lenaola, (Deputy Principal Judge); Faustin Ntezilyayo, Judge; Fakihi Jundu, Judge and Audace Ngiye, Judge
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Notes to Editor:
Article 50 (Election of Members of the Assembly)
The National Assembly of each Partner States shall elect, not from among its members, nine members of the Assembly, who shall represent as much as it is feasible, the various political parties represented in the National Assembly, shades of opinion, gender and other special interest groups in that Partner State, in accordance with such procedure as the National Assembly of each Partner State may determine.
For more information, please contact:
Yufnalis Okubo, Registrar, East African Court of Justice. Tel: 255-27-2162149 Email Okubo [at] eachq.org East African Court of Justice Arusha, Tanzania 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 Court of Justice; Arusha, Tanzania; 12 June 2017:
The President of the East African Court of Justice Hon. Justice Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja paid courtesy call to the Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Sam Rugege and Minister of Industry, Trade and East African Community Affairs, Hon. François Kanimba of the Republic of Rwanda on Tuesday and Wenesday last week.
The purpose of the courtesy call was to establish the collaboration with the Judiciary of Rwanda through preliminary rulings of National Courts, whenever they have any matter to refer to the EACJ for Treaty interpretation and application under Article 34 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community.
His Lordship the President told the Chief Justice that there is need to strengthen this relationship by educating the Rwandan Judicial Officers (Judges, Registrars and other officers) on this provision to enable them understand and utilize it whenever a question on interpretation of the Treaty raises before any Court or tribunal in Rwanda or any other Partner State.
In addition, Justice Ugirashebuja explained the impact on the jurisprudence of the EACJ in the regional integration process.
He emphasized that, the decisions of this Court (EACJ) on the interpretation and application of the Treaty, have precedence over decisions of national Courts on similar matter as it is stipulated under Article 33 (2) of the Treaty.
Justice Ugirashebuja also informed the Chief Justice on the EACJ strategy, to hold court sessions in the Partner States as a way of bringing Justice closer to the East Africans which will at the same time enhance the visibility of the Court. He added that the Court has so far conducted its sessions in two Partner States, the Republic of Kenya and United Republic of Tanzania and therefore it should be rotational to all other Partner States as well.
The President further expressed the need of support from the Judiciary of Rwanda in providing court rooms and offices whenever there is sitting of EACJ in Rwanda. Further he thanked the Chief Justice for hosting the EACJ Sub-registry in Kigali that, it a sign of existing relationship that needs continued collaboration.
On his part the Chief Justice of Rwanda, thanked the President for having thought about collaboration with the Judiciary and finally pledged his support to East African Court of Justice in its collaboration with the national courts in particular.
His Lordship the President of the Court, while meeting the Minister of Industry and Trade, Hon. Kanimba, explained the jurisdiction of the Court which was extended to handle matters on trade and investment, pending ratification by the Partner States.
He further appealed to the Minister to follow up on the Government of Rwanda through His Excellence the President of the Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagame to speed up the ratification process and deposit the instruments for ratification to the Secretary General.
Justice Ugirashebuja also requested the Minister to champion and advocate for the Court to the Council of Ministers to end the ad-hoc nature of the services of the Judges. He further said that, because some Judges serve as judges in their national courts and therefore it might cause delays in disposing off some cases in the EACJ due to their busy schedules in their Partner States judiciaries.
In addition, the President of the Court asked the Minister, the Council of Ministers to request the Summit to determine the permanent seat of the Court as the Treaty provides under Article 47 of the Treaty.
Justice Ugirashebuja, finally called upon the Minister to table the EACJ Administration Act, to the Council of Ministers and be submitted to the President to assent to it. His Lordship further requested the Minister to facilitate the process and to ensure the Act is expeditiously assented to, so that the Court can be granted its fully Financial Autonomy.
The Minister commended the President for the initiative to visit the Ministry, to explain the role and jurisdiction of the Court in the furtherance of the EAC Integration agenda. The Minister assured him his fully support to ensure the EACJ smooth operations in delivering quality and quick justice to the East Africans, especially on the utilization of the trade and investment jurisdiction as the Partner States continue the implementation of the Customs Union and Common Market Protocols, where a number of disputes may a raise.
The President further proceeded to Nyanza, at the Institute of Legal practice to deliver a lecture on the contribution, role and jurisdiction of the Court.
The president said that the courtesy calls started in the Republics of Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, now Rwanda and the will still continue to other Partner States. The President was accompanied by the Registrar of the Court, His Worship Yufnalis Okubo and other support staff.
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For more information, please contact:
For more information please contact: Yufnalis Okubo, Registrar, East African Court of Justice. Tel: 255-27-2162149 Email Okubo [at] eachq.org East African Court of Justice Arusha, Tanzania 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 Community Secretariat; Arusha, Tanzania; 11 June 2017:
The Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, United Republic of Tanzania, Amb. Ramadhani Mwinyi, on Friday launched the EAC Youth Competition to design a new emblem and logo for the Community.
The launch, which took place at Nkrumah Hall, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, was witnessed by the University’s Vice Chancellor (Research), Prof. Cuthbert Kimambo; the Deputy Principal, College of Humanities, Dr. Adam Korogoto; Dr. Abdullah Mohammed of the Department of Creative Arts, the media, and; students.
Addressing the students and staff of the University, the Ag. Permanent Secretary said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recognizes that as young people, the youth not only have the imagination and creativity, but also possess the speed and dynamism of technology that older age groups lacked.
Amb. Mwinyi urged the students and youths, from all corners of Tanzania including Zanzibar, to take advantage of the opportunities being offered by the Community to give it a new corporate identity.
The Ag. PS said that Tanzania had talented and creative youths who can demonstrate distinctive architectural capacity in the competition whose winners win awards in addition to bringing honour to the country.
Amb. Mwinyi disclosed that the Ministry would organize other events to mobilize more youth in the country to participate in the competition.
In his remarks, the University’s Vice Chancellor in charge Research, Prof. Kimambo thanked the Ministry for picking on the University of Dar es Salaam to host the launch of the competition, which he described as critical to the country, the youth and the region as a whole.
Earlier, the EAC Secretariat sensitized the students on the latest developments in the EAC integration process and on the guidelines for the competition. The Guidelines for participating in the EAC Brand Architecture Design Competition is available on www.eac.int. The Competition period will run from 1st June, 2017 to 31st August, 2017.
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For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
East African Community Secretariat; Arusha, Tanzania; 10 June 2017:
A regional inception workshop to launch the joint East African Community (EAC) and Food Agriculture Organization (FAO) Project on Youth Employment in the Agricultural Sector in the EAC kicked off in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Presiding over the opening session, Hon Christophe Bazivamo, the EAC Deputy Secretary General (DSG) in-charge of Productive and Social Sectors noted that the youth constitute the largest segment of the population across the EAC.
Hon. Bazivamo, however, said that economic growth within the Partner States was not generating enough jobs especially for the region’s ballooning number of young men and women.
“Rural poverty and food security remain persistent and are linked with this problem of jobless growth,” said Hon. Bazivamo.
The DSG informed the meeting that EAC with financial and technical support from the FAO had prioritized the promotion of youth employment in the agricultural sector as one of the Community’s flagship initiatives.
“This will be pursued under a Technical Cooperation Project (TCP) on Promoting Youth Employment in the Agricultural Sector in the EAC. The overall objective of the TCP is to contribute to reducing rural poverty and boosting economic growth by supporting the creation of better opportunities for youth in the agricultural sector,” said the DSG.
The DSG said it was unfortunate that Africa spends over $35 billion on food imports, which is a huge economic burden.
“Unless the current trend is reversed, Africa will spend $110 billion on food imports by 2025. The amount of money channeled to imports could make a big impact if invested to promote agricultural production and productivity,” he said.
He identified post-harvest food loss as one of the largest contributing factors to food and nutritional insecurity in Africa with more than 30 per cent of food produced for human consumption being lost or wasted through post-harvest losses, adding that the youth if supported could transform post-harvest losses into investment opportunities through value addition and agro-processing ventures.
The DSG urged EAC Partner States to look at agriculture in a multi-sectoral perspective, noting that Inclusive agricultural growth and transformation calls for an integrated approach.
He said that infrastructure development is critical for catalyzing transformation of the agriculture sector.
“The lack of infrastructure drives up the cost of doing business and also discourages the private sector from investing in agricultural value chains. Linkages with agro- industrialization fundamental. For instance agroprocesing would help stimulate production by expanding and enhancing access to markets.”
The DSG emphasized the need to identify youth involved in transformational agricultural initiatives so that they are recognized and rewarded, noting that this would motivate more young people to recognize that investing in agriculture was a highly profitable initiative.
Speaking at the event, Dr Patrick Kormawa, the FAO Sub-regional Coordinator for Eastern Africa and FAO Representative to the African Union and the UN Economic Commission for Africa, highlighted the worrying demographic trends in the EAC.
Dr. Kormawa noted that the EAC was becoming home to an increasingly young population.
“In 2010, East Africa’s youth accounted for 45% of the total population. This number continues to grow and it is estimated that 75% of East Africa’s total population will be under the age of 34 in 2030,” said Dr. Kormawa, adding that true rural transformation cannot be accomplished in the EAC without empowering the youth as actors of change.
“FAO believes that boosting youth employment in agricultural value chains is a low hanging fruit for harvesting sustainable development, food security, and rural poverty reduction,” said the FAO official.
He cited the strong comparative advantage of FAO in supporting rural institutions and agrifood value chains, especially small-scale, self-employed and informal agricultural occupations.
“The niche of FAO lies in capacity development and institutional strengthening,” said Dr. Kormawa.
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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; 09 June 2017:
EAC today celebrated the International Archives Day (IAD) which is a global event for archivists and records managers in order to make known the role of archives and exchange experiences with colleagues in regard to the importance of their work within EAC as an institution.
Under the theme “Archives, Citizenship and Interculturalism”, the inaugural IAD 2017 commemoration at EAC headquarters was marked by a showcase of EAC’s records and archives in visual and audio-visual form including old documentation of decisions, minutes, memoranda of understanding, magazines, newsletters, personal files of the preceding EAC Secretaries General, photographs and screening of various documentaries among others.
At the International Congress in Vienna in 2004, the 2000 participants adopted a resolution requesting the United Nations to create an International Archives Day. The UNESCO General Conference at its 33rd session in Paris 2005 proclaimed the 27th October as the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage. The World Day is an appropriate opportunity to raise public awareness of the importance of audiovisual archives. It brings new incentives to the benefit of the preservation of these archives. This was an excellent initiative, but these are not the only archives that are at risk and in need of attention.
Consequently, the International Council on Archives (ICA) decided at its Annual General Meeting in November 2007 to launch the International Archives Day by its own, on the 9th of June. The date was obvious: on the 9th of June 1948, the International Council on Archives was created under the auspices of the UNESCO. This choice was adopted by ICA Executive Board, and adopted by the archives community as a whole.
The Records and Information Resource Centre units used this platform to explain their mandate to other EAC staff, raise their profile internally by demonstrating how they can assist other departments/units within EAC to manage and preserve their records by regularly submitting copies of their respective documentation as well as demonstrating the use of TRIM.
Records and archives are documents, created, received and maintained as evidence and information by an organization or person, in pursuance of legal obligations, or in the transaction of business. Archival records are those documents that are preserved by their creators, successors or an appropriate archive institution because of their legal value or enduring historical significance.
Archives constitute a major cultural heritage and information resource. The archival heritage is a valuable testimony about the economic, political and social development of humanity. The diversity of archival sources and formats is considerable. To ensure the preservation of these sources, a comprehensive approach that considers all types and formats of archives, is required. It is not possible to focus solely on one type of record, as other categories of archives also deserve attention.
Through the International Archives Day, we can: raise awareness among the public of the importance of EAC records and archives, in order to make it understood that records and archives provide the foundation for their rights and identity; raise the awareness of senior decision makers of the benefits of records management for good governance and development; raise the EAC public, private and public sectors' awareness of the necessity of preserving archives for the long-term, and of providing access to them; promote and bring to the attention of the larger EAC public unique, extraordinary and rare documents preserved in archival institutions and improve the image of EAC records and archives and enhance their visibility within and outside the region.
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For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
East African Community Secretariat; Bujumbura, Burundi; 07 June 2017:
East African Community Partner States have been called upon to minimize dependence on imported fossil fuels.
Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza said dependence on fossil fuels exposes the EAC Partner States to the risks arising from volatility of petroleum prices in the international market and the associated challenges in attaining domestic energy security.
President Nkurunziza further noted that East Africa’s limited infrastructure in terms of refineries, pipelines and storage facilities remained a constraint to stability in fuel prices.
President Nkurunziza disclosed that EAC Partner States spend more than 10 per cent of their Gross Domestic Product to import refined petroleum products.
“We are all aware that without sufficient energy, we can neither create wealth nor enhance our competitiveness, production, trade and investments. The EAC therefore attaches great significance to cooperation in the exploration and development of energy resources available in the region,” said President Nkurunziza.
President Nkurunziza was addressing delegates when he officially opened the 8th East African Petroleum Conference and Exhibition 2017 (EAPCE’ 17) in Bujumbura, Burundi.
He said that the East African region had demonstrated high potential for oil and gas resources, adding that it was only through concerted efforts by various stakeholders that successful petroleum exploration ventures could be mounted.
“In Burundi, the exploration of petroleum resources at Rusizi and Lake Tanganyika basins has commenced in four blocks of 1,477.5 km2 offshore and 793.1 km2. The government of Burundi continues to encourage oil companies to invest in petroleum exploration. It is also reviewing the Petroleum Code of 1976 for purposes of attracting more investors,” he said.
President Nkurunziza said that recent discoveries made in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda in addition to the existing oil industry in South Sudan had positioned East Africa as the world’s most promising frontier for petroleum exploration and development.
The EAPCE’ 17 is being held under the theme: East Africa – the Emerging Hotspot for Oil and Gas Exploration, Infrastructure Development and Commercialization.
In his remarks, Dr. Ali Kirunda Kivejinja, the Chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers and Uganda’s Minister for East African Affairs, said that EAC Partner States had over the years invested huge resources – both human and financial – towards petroleum exploration, efforts which have begun to bear fruit throughout the region.
EAC Secretary General Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko said that there had been increased investments in the region’s oil and gas sector in recent times with the recent discoveries.
“Today, the East African region has benefited from advances in technology and management of exploration and production which has led to the discovery of commercially viable oil and gas deposits,” said Amb. Mfumukeko.
Alluding to the oil curse that has been the bane of many oil-producing countries on the African continent, the Secretary General said East Africa has an obligation to learn from other countries and put petroleum resources to good use.
Amb. Mfumukeko said that despite the effects of fluctuating global oil prices, EAC economies had been able to withstand the shocks, adding that the continued growth was testimony to the conducive environment in the region.
“This stability offers long term prospects for returns on investments to potential investors, irrespective of any headwinds the global economy may encounter,” he noted.
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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 June 2017:
An official from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and EAC Affairs of the Republic of Rwanda has commended the EAC Secretariat for implementing the Council decision on involving the Youth in the region to develop a new EAC Brand Architecture.
Speaking during the sensitization of and launch of the design competition for a new EAC emblem and logo in the Republic of Rwanda, held at the College of Arts and Social Sciences of the University of Rwanda, Huye (Butare) Campus on Wednesday 7th June 2017, the Ag. Director General of EAC Integration at the Ministry, Ms. Flavia Salafina, said the youths in region had potential and were capable of designing a new look for the Community.
Ms. Flavia Salafina, who was representing the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade, Industry and EAC Affairs, Ms. Rosemary Mbabazi, commended the Principal of the College, Dr. Didas Muganga Kayihura and the Dean of Students, Mr. Fabian Rugiriza for hosting the event at a busy time when the students were taking their exams.
She allayed the EAC Secretariat’s fears that in the event that none of the entries/proposals were accepted by the Secretariat and the Partner States, there shall be no winner and the Secretariat may seek designs via other procurement methods, saying “I want to assure the Secretariat that the youth in the region, including those in Rwanda, will be up to the challenge and do the job!”
She challenged the Graphic Arts students to work hard and ensure they make entries to the competition and win the prizes. “You will do the Community and Rwanda in particular proud if you propose the best new look for the EAC”, said the Ag. Director General.
The Dean of Students, Mr. Fabian Rugiriza was proud that the University of Rwanda was chosen to host the event and was affirmative that the Design Arts students at the College will take part and win prizes.
“Our students designed the logo for the University, so expect entries from them.” “Your coming to this University shows how passionate the Community is in regard to engaging the youth in regional integration process. By involving them in the design of the emblem and logos, they will now associate more with the integration agenda and the EAC”, said the Dean.
Guidelines for participating in the EAC Brand Architecture Design Competition is available on www.eac.int. The Competition period is from 1st June 2017 to 31st August 2017.
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For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States,
East African Community Secretariat; Arusha, Tanzania; 07 June 2017:
The 1st Extra-Ordinary Meeting of the EAC Sectoral Council of Ministers of Health began today 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 which comprises Permanent/Principal Secretaries of Health from the EAC Partner States on Thursday, 8th June, 2017.
The highlight of the event will be the Ministers/Cabinet Secretaries Session that will be held on Friday, 9th June, 2017.
Among the items on the agenda is the consideration of the reports of the EAC Joint Re-inspection of various Medical and Dental Teaching Hospitals in the region.
Also on the agenda for discussion will be the establishment of the proposed East African Community College of Medicine and Health Professions, which institution will provide and award specialist postgraduate training fellowship qualifications in medicine and other health professions in East Africa.
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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; 09 June 2017:
East African Community Partner States have a serious shortage of qualified health specialists, recent estimates show.
Uganda’s Minister of State for Health, Hon. Dr. Sarah Opendi, said that like most low and middle income regions, the EAC has far less than the 44.5 physicians, nurses and midwives per 10,000 people required to fast-track the attainment of health related Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) targets.
Dr. Opendi said that due to the low number of health specialists vis-à-vis the population, EAC Partner States could not provide quality healthcare to their citizens without addressing the issue of training of Human Resources for Health, both in terms of quality and quantity.
“Inspection of medical, nursing and other health professions training institutions is a critical quality assurance intervention that must be pursued in light of the attendant HRH challenges,” said Dr. Opendi.
“Strengthening the quality of training through peer inspections will significantly build confidence in our training institutions and expand the growth-inducing impact of healthcare employment on various socio-economic sectors such as trade, tourism and GDP,” said the Minister.
Dr. Opendi said that the population of the region had grown tremendously over the years without a corresponding investment in the training of healthcare staff.
“Our efforts to achieve the SDG 3 on good health and wellbeing, and in particular, the target of universal health coverage (UHC) is very much dependent on how we address the existing human resources for health challenges, including numbers and quality of training,” she added.
Dr. Opendi was speaking when she officially opened the Ministerial Session of the 1st Extra-Ordinary Meeting of the EAC Sectoral Council of Ministers of Health at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. Uganda currently holds the position of Chairperson of the EAC.
She commended Partner States’ National Medical and Dental Boards and Councils for championing efforts to uphold and strengthen standards in medical and dental schools in the EAC region.
“There shouldn’t be any compromise on these standards because poorly trained health workers will be a big threat to the lives of our population,” she said.
She hailed ongoing national and regional efforts to strengthen the training of HRH such as expanding the postgraduate training fellowships and award of sub-specialists qualification in medicine and other health sciences.
- ENDS -
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.
