The People’s Republic of China has donated US$200,000 to the East African Community Secretariat as part of support to the ongoing Inter-Burundi Dialogue.
Making the announcement at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Mr. Gou Haodong, the Minister-Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania reaffirmed China’s commitment to the success of the Burundi peace process.
Mr. Haodong hailed the EAC for playing a leading role in facilitating the talks, adding that China would continue to support the talks until Burundi realized a genuine and lasting peace.
Mr. Philip Wambugu, the Director of Infrastructure at the EAC Secretariat, who received the donation on behalf of the EAC Secretary General, thanked China for its generous contributions which he said have kept the talks going.
Mr. Wambugu said the Summit had at its 17th Extra-Ordinary Meeting held in State House Dar es Salaam on 8th September, 2016 directed the EAC Secretariat to continue mobilizing resources for the purpose of supporting the peace talks.
Also present at the talks were First Secretary at the Chinese Embassy, Mr. Xia Riu Jiu, and Dr. James Njagu, the Chef de Cabinet to the Secretary General.
The EALA Speaker, Rt Hon. Daniel Fred Kidega says the time for the Economic Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS) Parliament to get Legislative powers is now, Such a move, Rt Hon. Kidega notes would be a precursor to capacitate the Legislature to enact laws and respond to demands of the populace of the West African region. Consequently, the EALA Speaker is urging the 4th Legislature to up the push on the adoption and signing of the Supplementary Act on the Enhancement of powers of the said Parliament.
Rt Hon. Daniel Fred Kidega made the remarks on September 22, 2016, as he delivered a solidarity message to the Assembly at the commencement of the 2nd Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament at the Parliamentary buildings in Garki, Abuja, Nigeria.
He further remarked that it was in the best interest of the bloc to speed up integration to realise the aspirations of the founding fathers of ECOWAS and those of its citizens.
“In order to realise integration to its fullest, this may perhaps be – an opportune moment for the ECOWAS Parliament to transform itself into a legislative body capacitating it to enact laws that can influence change and to respond to the demands of the populations”, the Speaker said.
“I recall with vigour the 3rd Legislature had sought the enhancement of its powers to include the power to legislate in co-decision with the Council of Ministers, representation, budget appropriation and confirmation of statutory appointees of the Community Institutions. The 4th Legislature continues with the spirited campaign for the adoption and signing of the Supplementary Act on the Enhancement of the Powers of the Parliament, which shall give ECOWAS Parliament the desired legislative powers, an initiative that EALA totally and fully supports”, the Speaker added.
He said EALA had contributed to strengthening of the integration process at the EAC - given its legislative powers, by passing over 70 pieces of legislation, all key to upping the stakes for stability and development in the EAC region.
“Having superintended over an Assembly with legislative powers, there are enormous benefits of such an arrangement for the integration process,” he added.
The EALA Speaker remarked that it was also necessary for the discourse on legislative powers to be scaled-up to the continental level. At the moment, the South African based Pan-African Parliament (PAP) is also campaigning for the ratification of the new Protocol that is envisaged to give it powers to pass model laws for the continent. The new Protocol needs at least 28 ratifications to be enforced. At the moment, 10 countries have ratified the instrument but only two have returned (deposited) the same with PAP.
In an aired/televised message, the President of the Republic of Liberia and Chairperson of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf remarked that the ECOWAS Parliament was a catalyst and indeed at the fulcrum of integration.
President Sirleaf who was attending the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, USA, maintained that ECOWAS was committed to achieving its 2020 Vision of a borderless and peaceful region, devoid of terrorism and other insecurities, and one that embraces good governance and employs total free movement of persons in the bloc.
The President remarked that ECOWAS region had realised a number of successes including the introduction of a regional e-passport, the first in the Continent and for its timely dispatch of a regional peace-keeping force to States that were facing conflicts. She however maintained the need to prioritise infrastructural projects and completion of outstanding protocols and signing of agreements such as the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs).
The Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, H.E. Mustaffa Cisse LO, stated at the very least, the ECOWAS Parliament would continue in its quest to find solutions for the ever-increasing regional challenges in migration and maritime security. He said ECOWAS’ mandate included holding consultations in key sector areas such as trade and investment to improve the standards of living and filtering of such resolutions to the ECOWAS Commission for implementation.
The opening ceremony was also addressed by the Speaker of the Pan-African Parliament, H.E. Roger Nkodo Dang, Speaker of the Parliament of Sierra Leone, Rt Hon Sheku Badara Bashiru Dambuya, President of the ECOWAS Commission and the President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, Hon Justice Jérôme Traoré.
Over the next two weeks, the ECOWAS Parliament is expected to deliberate on a number of key matters including presentations of the draft report on the preparation of the preliminary draft of the 2017 budget of Parliament, consideration and adoption of reports of the Standing, Ad hoc and Joint Committees in Plenary. The Plenary shall also receive and consider the Country reports of its 15 Member States.
EALA has been collaborating with the regional Parliaments in sharing of information and in exchange of best practices. During the recent 8th Meeting of Annual Speakers, held under the aegis of the Pan-African Parliament in Midrand, South Africa, EALA Speaker was elected to chair the Caucus of Regional Speakers/leaders in Africa.
At the moment, other than the Parliament of the European Union, the EALA is the only other regional Parliament with legislative powers. EALA passes Bills on matters within the purview of the Community and such take precedence on the laws of the national Partner States on similar matters.
The First Instance Division heard a matter filed on 20th November 2015 by Mr. Manariyo Desire (Burundi citizen) versus the Attorney General of the Republic of Burundi. The Applicant’s complaint is that the Government of Burundi has failed to abide by its commitment to the fundamental operational principles it has committed to under the Treaty, specifically the principles of the rule of law, good governance and the recognition and protection of the human rights of the Applicant, especially his right to property and to peaceful enjoyment of property that he lawfully owns.
The Applicant alleges that sometime back in 1977, he had bought three pieces of land from Mr. Nzopfabarushe Simon, Mr. Habinimana Andre and Ms. Nizonzima Scholastique. In 1999 the Applicant and the above-mentioned three sellers, had their sale transactions authenticated before the Tribunal of Residence of Musaga, in Bujumbura and they procured from that Tribunal an authenticated contract, through an attested Affidavit. In 2010, Mr. Nzopfabarushe filed a suit in the Tribunal of High Instance of Bujumbura, against the Applicant, laying claim on the land that he had sold to the Applicant, and which was subject to the authenticated affidavit at the time of sale of the piece of land.
In 2012 the Tribunal delivered its judgment of the matter in favor of Mr. Nzopfabarushe and the Applicant was not satisfied with the decision and thus appealed to the Court of Appeal of Bujumbura, praying that it reverses the judgment of the Tribunal of High Instance and to recognize his legitimate property rights on the said land, based on the evidence he had produced, especially the authenticates Bill of Sale, that is the attested Affidavit. In October 2013, the Court of Appeal delivered its judgment and upheld the judgment of the Tribunal of High Instance.
The applicant went further and filed a petition before the Cessation Chamber of the Supreme Court, invoking many grounds for violations of Burundian Law, in particular the refusal by the Court of Appeal to recognize the legal and probative value of the attested affidavit. However, the Cessation Chamber of the Supreme Court dismissed the Applicant’s petition.
Mr. Donald Deya, representing the Applicant in Court, submitted that the failure or refusal by the Respondent through the judgement of the Supreme Court of Burundi on 24th June 2015 to recognize the legal and property value of the attested affidavit No 356/99 of 27th July 1999 was in violation of the commitment of the Respondent among others Articles 6 (d), 7 (2) of the Treaty and 15 (1) of the Common Market Protocol as well as Article 14 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
He further added that the case was filed on time, so it is not time barred and that the Court has jurisdiction to determine the matter because it has authoritatively established such jurisdiction in superior jurisprudence both the First Instance and Appellate Divisions. That the failure to recogonise the legal and property value of the attested affidavit is unlawful and violated the Applicant’s rights under National law, EAC Law and African Union Law.
Mr. Deya also stated that the trial in the Tribunal of High Instance of Bujumbura was not fair and that it had several irregularities. That the Applicant was never called for the hearing and only received the judgement and learnt that witnesses gave evidence while he never got the chance to cross examine them. He said that the High Instance could not have pronounced itself to the attested affidavit. The Applicant’s advocate finally asked the Court to declare that the Respondents actions and omissions are unlawful and they are an infringement of the Treaty provisions mentioned above. Also the Court to declare that the Applicant’s property rights have been violated by the Government of Burundi and as well as the order for reinstitution, an order directing the Respondent to restore the property rights of the Applicants and allow the Applicant to take his three sell agreements to consolidate them and get one title. Also the Court to order the Respondent to issue a report within 60 days on the residue mechanism it will have provided. The court also asked for costs to be met by the Respondents of this Reference and other orders as it may deem to be just in the matter. He added that the Applicant’s right to peacefully enjoy his property was violated and he is entitled to the remedies sought.
In response Mr. Elisha Mwansasu, the Senior State Attorney representing the Attorney General of Burundi, submitted that the matter is time barred because it was not filed within two months time limit as it is provided in Article 30(2) of the Treaty which states that: “The proceedings provided for in this Article shall be instituted within two months of the enactment, publication, directive, decision or action complained of, or in the absence thereof, of the day in which it came to the knowledge of the complainant, as the case may be;”. He added that the matter was filed on 20th November 2015 more that 2 months after the decision of the legality of the Attested Affidavit of 1999 being complained of.
The respondent also urged that the Court has no jurisdiction to hear the matter as it does not have appellate jurisdictions over decisions of the Supreme Court of the Partner States as provided under Articles 27(2) and 30(3) of the Treaty. He asked the Court to dismiss the matter with costs.
Court will deliver its judgement on notice.
The First Instance Division bench was composed of Honorable Judges Lady Justice Monica Mugenyi (Principal Judge), Justice Isaac Lenaola (Deputy Principal Judge), and Justice Audace Ngiye.
EAC Secretary General Amb. Libérat Mfumukeko today welcomed the new Deputy Secretary General in charge of Finance and Administration (DSG-F&A), Hon. Christophe Bazivamo, at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
Hon. Bazivamo who is from the Republic of Rwanda, was appointed by the EAC Heads of State Summit during their 17th Extra-Ordinary Meeting held at State House, Dar es Salaam on 8th September, 2016.
Amb. Mfumukeko congratulated Hon. Bazivamo on his appointment as DSG-F&A and wished him success in his new duties.
The Secretary General outlined a number of activities before the EAC Secretariat in the next few months as: the development of a roadmap on the EAC-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), and; the finalization of the EAC Institutional Review which will determine the Community’s future structures and the monumental changes that will come with the review.
Also present at the meeting were Deputy Secretaries General Dr. Enos Bukuku (Planning and Infrastructure), Mr. Charles Njoroge (Political Federation) and the Counsel to the Community, Dr. Anthony Kafumbe.
Prior to his appointment as DSG, Hon. Bazivamo was a Member of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) from Rwanda.
Meanwhile, with Hon Christophe Bazivamo having taken oath as new Deputy Secretary General of the EAC, a vacancy has arisen that shall shortly be filled. Already, the Speaker of the EALA, Rt. Hon. Daniel Fred Kidega has declared the vacancy and written to the Speaker of the Parliament of Rwanda in line with Article 51 (3) (a) of the Treaty for the Establishment for the EAC and the provisions of Section 7(3) (a) and (b) of the EALA Elections Act 2011.
It is now expected that the Parliament of Rwanda shall elect a new Member to replace Hon Bazivamo. The Member is to serve EALA for the rest of the tenure of the Assembly up to June 2017.
The Oath of Allegiance to the Community which was presided over by the Summit of the EAC Heads of State at the recent Summit in Dar es Salaam, was administered by the Registrar of the East Africa Court of Justice, His Worship Yufnalis N. Okubo and in the presence of the Counsel to the Community, Hon Anthony Kafumbe.
With the new appointment, Hon Bazivamo ceased to be a Member of EALA. Hon Bazivamo resigned shortly thereafter in a letter to the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon Daniel Fred Kidega.
“Aware of the fact that in accordance with article 50(d) of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community, I cannot serve at the same time as Member of Parliament of the East African Legislative Assembly and as Deputy Secretary General of the Community, I hereby submit my resignation as a Member of EALA, to allow me serve fully as Deputy Secretary General of the East African Community”, the letter of resignation reads in part.
Hon Bazivamo was elected to EALA in 2011 to take over from Hon Damien Habumuryemi who was appointed Minister for Education in a Cabinet reshuffle. Rt. Hon Habumuryemi would then be appointed the Prime Minister of the Republic of Rwanda, a position he served until he was replaced by Rt Hon Anastase Murekezi.
At EALA, Hon Bazivamo was Chairperson of the Agriculture, Tourism and Natural Resources Committee as at time of his appointment as Deputy Secretary General. He also served as a Member of the Committee on x and was captain of the EALA/EAC Football team, who are the current reigning champions of the Inter-Parliamentary Football Tournament. The new Deputy Secretary General also served as a Commissioner in EALA in 2012-2014.
Hon Bazivamo has served in different Ministerial positions in Rwanda including the Lands, Environment, Forestry, Water and Mines Ministry, that of Local Government and has also served as Minister for Internal Affairs. He is also the current Vice President of the RPF/Inkotanyi, the ruling political organization in Rwanda.
Speaking briefly to EALA Media Office, the former legislator thanked the Speaker and Members of the Assembly for their support and promised to ensure the integration process is strengthened as he takes over a new role at the EAC Secretariat.
Currently, the EAC Secretariat has four Deputy Secretaries General who serve different dockets. The dockets include; Productive and Social Sectors; Planning and Infrastructure; Political Federation and Finance and Administration.
Hon Bazivamo, is an agriculturist by profession. He had his elementary education in the current Rulindo District and joined Secondary School at Lycee de Kigali in 1975.
He joined the National University of Rwanda in 1981 where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Agro-engineering. Between 1988 and 1989, he worked as a teacher. He later on pursued his Masters’ Degree in Germany before working with a number of NGOs until 1994 when he served as the Prefect of the (then) Gitarama Prefecture. In 2002 he became a Minister for Local Government.
The East African Court of Justice (EACJ) First Instance Division today has made a ruling on the consolidated Applications from the cases filed by three members of Staff of the East African Community Early Warning Unit, accusing the Secretary General of allegedly giving them notice of termination of their employment contracts from 20th September, 2016.
On the bench of the First Instance Division bench were Honourable Judges Lady Justice Monica Mugenyi (Principal Judge), Justice Isaac Lenaola (Deputy Principal Judge) and Justice Audace Ngiye. The matter was in open Court.
The Court ruled that the matter has been settled after the Secretary General signed copies of letters to stop the termination of the contracts and served them on the Applicants’ Lawyers. The EACJ further said that the Secretary General had acted in accordance with the Council of Ministers’ resolution passed on 5th September, 2016 and so the application had been over taken by events. Court added that since the main Reference is still pending in court for determination, the costs of the Application shall abide the Reference.
The Applicants were asking the court to grant an injunction restraining the Secretary General from effecting his decision to terminate the Claimants’ contracts pending the hearing and determination of the main cases. Applicants claim that, on 17th June 2016, the Secretary General acted beyond his mandate in deciding to terminate the Petitioners’ contracts by serving them notices of termination of service, in breach of the Council of EAC Ministers decisions at its 16th , 18th , 19th meeting and 31st Extra-Ordinary meetings, Regulation 96 of the Staff Rules and Regulations 2006, the provisions of the Claimants’ employment contract, the official communication from the European Union (EU) and African Union (AU) as well as the Agreements between EU and AU and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) including EAC.
The Applicants also stated that on 7th July, 2016, they received, from the EAC Registry, a notice of three (3) months to terminate their employment contract effective 20th June, 2016 signed by the EAC Secretary General. That by that letter, the Petitioners were informed that EAC has no funds to support the African Union Peace and Architecture Support project staff and that for that reason, the Secretary General requested the Petitioners to handover all activities under them to the Deputy Secretary General in charge of Political Federation.
They further said that the reason given to justify the decision of termination of their services is not in the Treaty; neither is it in the staff rules and regulations nor in the employment contract of the Petitioners. The Petitioners added that instead the Treaty in Article 4(2) gives powers to the Secretary General to do all things including borrowing funds to keep the functions of the Community running.
The Claimants further contend that the Secretary General did not provide any evidence that the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) support programme has ended and instead the Regional Economic Community (RECs), EAC included, received communication from the European Union (EU) and African Union (AU) informing it that funds were in the process of being disbursed to support the said program and requesting that the staff employed under the APSA programme should be retained to ensure that the capacities that have been developed over the years by the program are sustained. In addition, that the EU and AU have informed the EAC that the new APSA programme will run from January 2016 to December 2018 and that the budget allocation has been approved for AU and other RECs with the EAC allocation funding at Euros 2,850,000.
However, Dr. Anthony Kafumbe, the Counsel to the Community, for the Secretary General, said that the 34th Council of Ministers directed the Secretariat to rescind the termination letters of the staff’ employees in the Peace and Security department {EAC/CM 34/Directive 59) and also directed the Secretariat to amicably settle the pending litigation related to APSA staff at the East African Court of Justice (EAC/CM 34/Directive 60). Dr. Kafumbe said that the Secretary General had since complied with the Council directive.
These Applicants who were present in Court were Benoit Bihamiriza and Didacus Kaguta with their Lawyer Ms. Alice Nijimbire. The third Applicant, Mr. Patrice Mulama, was not in Court but was represented by his advocate Aimable Malala. The Applicants filed their cases on the 15th July, 10th and 12th August 2016 respectively. Mr. Bihamiriza is a Conflict Early Warning Expert; Mr. Kaguta is a Peace and Security Officer, while Mr. Mulama is a Senior Analyst – Early Warning.
The Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), the East African Business Council (EABC) and the East African Development Bank (EADB) are jointly organizing the Academia-Public-Private Partnership Forum and Exhibitions 2016, which will be held under the theme “Quality Education, Research and Innovation as Drivers of New Economies in the EAC”. The Forum, which will be hosted by the Aga Khan University, an IUCEA member university, is expected to demonstrate some of the practical outputs emanating from research and innovation in the region, in the form of innovative products and services to drive the new economies, focusing on ICT, tourism, agro-industry, financial services, and oil and gas. Other discussions will focus on the establishment of centres of excellence in East Africa, including the Eastern and Southern Africa Higher Education Centers of Excellence (ACE II) project (supported by the World Bank), East Africa’s Centres of Excellence for Skills and Tertiary Education in Biomedical Sciences (supported by African Development Bank), and the proposed centres of excellence in humanities and social sciences (supported by IUCEA). Finally, there will be a session on the implications of the declaration of East Africa as a Common Higher education Area.
Running parallel with the Forum will be exhibitions, that are intended to enable the academia, the public and the private sectors to display the practical aspects of their operations, products, services and achievements as a way of enhancing linkages between the academia, the public and the private sectors in promoting innovation and entrepreneurship development in the region.
Call for Participation in the Exhibitions
Higher education institutions, private sector institutions, and public institutions are hereby invited to participate in the Exhibitions. Participation in the Exhibitions will be an excellent opportunity to showcase institutional profiles, services, and products to various stakeholders, including the academia, the private sector, and the general public. The exhibitions will also provide the opportunity for the exhibitors to interact with the best and most ambitious talents in the private sector and academia, for the eventual productive engagement between these complimentary systems.
Dates and Venue for the Exhibitions
The 2016 Forum and Exhibitions will be held on October 20-21 2016 at the Diamond Jubilee Hall, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The decision to host the Forum at the university is to encourage participation of academic and non-academic staff, students and the general public.
Participants Expected to Attend the Exhibitions
a) Those who will already be participating in the Forum, namely:
The private sector fraternity in East Africa and beyond - business leaders and employers (manufacturers, bankers, transporters, telecommunication providers, venture capitalists); SMEs; etc.
The academic and research fraternity in East Africa and beyond – education managers and administrators, including vice-chancellors, rectors, principals, provosts, registrars, deans, directors, and professors from higher education/research institutions across East Africa
Policy makers and government officials in East Africa
The media
b) Others expected to attend the exhibitions (to sample available opportunities) will include:
Students, i.e. current and prospective Alumni
Prospective candidates for higher education institutions
Leaders of higher education placement agencies
Parents
Invited groups and the general public
Potential buyers and customers of products and services
Provisions to Exhibitors
a) 3 m x 3 m exhibition stand with name, lighting, power and internet points at the exhibition section next to the venue of the Forum (Additional stands will be available on request but at a cost of USD 200)
b) Exhibition furniture, including one table and two chairs
c) One page profile in the official forum catalogue (each exhibitor to submit)
d) Visit by the Guest of Honor
e) Visit by more than 500 persons including Forum participants and the general public
f) Media coverage
Registration Fee for Participation
Each participating IUCEA member higher education institutions and members of the EABC and EADB will be provided with one free booth. If there is an institution that requires more space for exhibition, kindly let the organizers know in advance (this will cost US$ 200 per extra exhibition booth/stand). Maximum 2 participants per institution will be supported with teas and lunch.
Participation for non-members of IUCEA, EABC and EADB will be charged at US$ 500 per exhibition booth/stand.
Deadline for submission of intention to participate in the Exhibitions
Those intending to participate in the Exhibitions should register at www.iucea.org/forum by 30th September, 2016.
The officials from the Departments of Trade, Customs and Infrastructure of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) led by Transport Facilitation and Policy Expert, Mr. Appiah Christian and Trademark East Africa led by Director General, David Stanton today paid a working visit to the EAC Headquarters and held discussions with the Secretary General of the East African Community, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko and other EAC Senior officials.
The purpose of their visit was to gain insight on major developments realized as well as challenges experienced within the EAC especially on areas of Trade and Customs, Investment, and infrastructure as well as sharing experience of the same from ECOWAS.
In his welcoming remarks, the Secretary General hailed the good relationship between EAC and ECOWAS as well as the increasing opportunities for inter-regional trade brought about by the establishment of regional economic communities (RECs) in Africa.
Amb. Mfumukeko, emphasised the increasing collaboration between the EAC and ECOWAS. He said the EAC was keen on what ECOWAS has attained in the area of financial integration and movements of people.
Noting the establishment of a tripartite Free Trade Area (FTA) between the East African Community (EAC), South African Development Community (SADC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the Secretary General said he looked forward to the FTA linking up with ECOWAS and other RECs to form an African Continental FTA (CFTA).
Accompanying the Secretary General, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Planning and Infrastructure, Dr Enos Bukuku, briefed the ECOWAS delegation on the major developments taking place in the integration process, notably the operationalization of the EAC Customs Union especially on the Single Customs Territory and status of implementation of the infrastructure projects going on in the region.
Dr Bukuku informed the delegation that the EAC region was undertaking ambitious regional infrastructure development programme in roads, railways, telecommunications and civil aviation. He hailed the Trademark East Africa for their support to some of the projects particularly One Stop Border Post (OSPB) and the Establishment of Single Customs Territory.
The EAC official informed the delegation that EAC is a people-centered community and the involvement of the private sector, women and youth entrepreneurs, as well as ordinary citizens of East Africa in the integration agenda is critical.
On his part, the leader of delegation from ECOWAS, Mr. Appiah Christian, thanked his host for the warm reception and hospitality accorded to them and commended the EAC Secretariat for the enormous work done that has led to important milestones in the integration process.
Speaking on the ECOWAS administrative structure, Mr Appiah informed the EAC team that in January 2007, the Secretariat of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) with its headquarters in Abuja was transformed into a Commission headed by a President, assisted by a Vice President and Commissioners.
By becoming a Commission with enhanced powers and Commissioners in charge of smaller and clearly defined sectors, the ECOWAS Secretariat has more impact and become more visible in Member States, asserted Mr. Appiah Christian.
He elaborated a number of projects and programmes under ECOWAS Vision 2020 which focus on making EACOWAS more closer to the people than ever before.
The Director General of Trademark East Africa, Mr. David Stanton said that Trademark was very happy with the relationship with EAC. ‘’I am looking forward to a strong partnership in the development of the regional bloc and facilitating more regional bloc study visits in future”.
Media Registration/Accreditation is at TIS/Maelezo
The 17th Extra-Ordinary Meeting of the Summit of the EAC Heads of State is taking place on 8th September 2016 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The 17th Extra-Ordinary Summit will be considering the EAC Council of Ministers Report on EU-EAC Economic Partnership Agreement; His Excellency President Mkapa’s Report on the Inter-Burundi Dialogue; Council Report on matters relating to the Republic of South Sudan; and swearing in of the new Deputy Secretary General from the Republic of Rwanda.
Media Alert
All Local and Foreign Journalists intending to cover the 17th Extra-Ordinary Summit are alerted that the Accreditation Process will commence from the afternoon of Tuesday 6th September 2016 at the Maelezo offices (Tanzania Information Services-TIS) located on the 9th Floor of the Golden Jubilee Towers on Ohio Street in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The Republic of South Sudan today deposited the instrument of ratification on the Accession to the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community to the Secretary General of the East African Community (EAC) Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
Depositing the instrument of ratification with the Secretary General of the East African Community means the Republic of South Sudan is now a new family member of the East African Community with full and equal rights, obligations and privileges.
‘’I would, therefore, like to seize this opportunity to commend President Salva Kiir, the Government and the entire people of the Republic of South Sudan for their tireless efforts and commitment that enabled them to achieve this important milestone”, the Secretary General said at a short ceremony attended by the Chair of the EAC Council of Ministers and Tanzania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Amb. Dr. Augustine Mahiga; Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of East African Community, Labour and Social Protection, Hon. Phyllis Kandie; Burundi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Alain Aime Nyamitwe, and the one in the Office of the President responsible for EAC Affairs, Hon. Leontine Nzeyimana; Permanent Secretaries/ Principal Secretaries from Partner States, EAC Deputy Secretaries Generals, Counsel to the Community and members of media.
In addition, on the Republic of South Sudan were Secretary General, South Sudan EAC Secretariat, Mou Mou Athian Kuol, South Sudan Ambassador to Tanzania, Mariano Deng Ngor, Director of East African Community, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Amb. Agnes Oswaha and Legal Counsel, Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Juba, South Sudan, Lawrence Loro Kamilo.
Amb. Mfumukeko disclosed that now that South Sudan have taken a step further, the Secretariat will seek guidance from the Council of Ministers on developing a detailed roadmap for integrating the Republic of South Sudan into the ongoing EAC projects and programmes.“We shall be informing the Leardership in Juba of every step we shall be taking in this regard”.
The EAC Chief called upon the media to fully participate in integrating the Republic of South Sudan in the EAC by reporting objectively on the issues at hand. He said EAC attaches great importance to the role of the Media in promoting awareness, discourse and involvement of the broad range of stakeholders in the East African regional integration process.
The EAC Secretary General also reiterated to both national, regional and International media on their role to get the region and the new Partner State to embrace regional integration with passion, dedication and commitment for the benefit of the present and future generations of the Community.
On his part, the Presidential Envoy of the Republic of South Sudan, H. E. Hon. Aggrey Tisa Sabuni said membership in EAC for Republic of South Sudan will henceforth mean that the country will never be the same again. “The EAC integration process is important for South Sudan. Currently, the EAC is the most advanced Regional bloc on the African Continent”.
He noted that South Sudan’s membership in the EAC is likely to provide concrete benefits to the country and the region as a whole, adding that “deep regional integration programmes that South Sudan shall soon undertake are likely to enhance overall EAC competitiveness which will lead to higher economic growth, employment creation and poverty reduction”.
Kenya’s “King” David Rudisha, 800 metres ace, Javelin champion, Julius “ Mr You Tube Man” Yego and his compatriots as well as Burundi’s 800 metres women’s track star, Francine Niyonsaba, were feted in the regional Assembly for their exemplary performance at the recently ended Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Late yesterday, EALA passed a Resolution as it adjourned its Sitting sine die, congratulating African and especially, East African Medal Winners in the Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in August 2016.
The motion for the Resolution was presented to the House by Hon Chis Opoka on behalf of the mover, Hon Saoli Ole Nkanae.
According to the mover, several gallant sons and daughters of Africa participated in the Olympics bringing honour and pride to the continent: They include Van Niekerk-400 Metres (South Africa), Boniface Mucheru -400 Metres (Kenya), Caster Semenya-800 Metres -Women (South Africa), Francine Niyonsaba – 800 Metres Women (Burundi), David Rudisha- 800 Metres Kenya), Faith Kipiyego– 1500 Metres Women (Kenya), Dibaba- 1500 Metres, Women (Ethiopia), Conseslus Kipruto-3000 Men (Kenya), Taofiq Makhloufu- 1500 Metres Men (Algeria), Vivian Cheruiyiot – 5000 Metres Women (Kenya), Jemima Sumgong- Marathon/Women (Kenya), Eliud Kipchoge – Marathon/Men (Kenya), and Feyisa Lilesa – Marathon /Men (Ethiopia).
However, the Resolution specifically lauds the East African athletes including, Faith Kipiyego who bagged gold in the 1500 Metres, women, Conseslus Kipruto, another Gold winner in 3000 Metres, and Vivian Cheruiyot, who also won the coveted medal in 5000 Metres, Women. Others are Marathon gold winner for Women, Jemima Sumgong, Eliud Kipchoge, gold (Marathon/Men) and Boniface Mucheru who won silver in the 400Metres, final).
Hon Joseph Kiangoi said the accolades brought to fore the fact that Africa is a continent of achievers.
“The continent’s talent is now been recognised, Mr Speaker,” he said, adding that western nations and other countries continued to lure African sports men and women to consider becoming their nationals.
He called for the need of development of high quality training grounds in high attitude areas to ensure east Africans are well trained. “We also need sports academies in place,” the legislator said.
The MP paid special tribute to the late Isaiah Kiplagat, President of Athletics Kenya. “He made sports and specifically athletics in Kenya what it is today”, Hon Kiangoi added. The late Kiplagat who died on February 24th August, 2016, is to be interred in Kapsaret on Friday, September 2, 2016.
Hon Emerence Bucumi said the region was proud to see athletes from the region’s soil win the various disciplines. Hon Bucumi alluded to Article 119 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC on the promotion of culture and sports and urged the Secretariat to put in place a mechanism to support development of sports.
Hon Dora Byamukama called for promotion of women in sports. “It is unfortunate that as they come of child bearing age, the sports women fizzle out”, Hon Byamukama said.
She appealed for stakeholder support for the budding sportspersons. “Let us also provide sports scholarships for those who excel in sports” she said.
Hon AbuBakr Ogle said the performance of Kenyan athletes was consistent but added that the talent was abundant in the entire region.
Also rising in support of the Motion was Hon Chris Opoka, Hon Peter Mathuki, Hon Frederic Ngenzebuhoro.
EALA is cognisant of the fact that Partner States take a strong stand on enhancing the identification and development of diverse sports talent, promotion of patriotism, citizens’ wellbeing and productivity.
At the Rio games held in Brazil in August 2016, the Republic of Kenya emerged 2nd overall in the sporting discipline with 13 medals (6 gold, 6 silver and 1 bronze) while South Africa was 5th with 4 medals (2 gold and 2 silver). Ethiopia was 9th with 8 medals (1 gold, 2 silver and 5 bronze), Algeria 21st with 2 medals (2 silver). Republic of Burundi was the 24th with 1 silver medal in the Games.
