The Secretary General of the East African Community, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko has concluded a working visit to the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) in Mauritius, following an invitation by the Secretary General of the Commission, Mr. Jean Claude de l'Estrac. IOC is a regional integration organization that has memberships of Mauritius, Comoros, Seychelles, Madagascar, and France.
Apart from visiting IOC, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko seized the opportunity to market EAC to the Mauritius Private Sector stakeholders, including meeting with the Mauritius Chamber of Agriculture; Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Enterprise Mauritius; Mauritius Investment Authority; Business Mauritius; and Mauritius Export Association. All the stakeholders met expressed the need to explore investment and business opportunities between Mauritius and the EAC Partner States.
Mauritius exports 400,000 tonnes of sugar annually. The Mauritius Chamber of Agriculture and several other private sector players expressed their readiness to penetrate the EAC market and urged the Secretary General to link them with the East African Business Council (EABC), the private arm of the East African Community, in order to strengthen collaboration in trade, investment and mutual cooperation.
In order to initiate the collaboration, Enterprise Mauritius is set to organize a visit and an Exhibition to the EAC in October 2016 for over 15 key Mauritius Manufacturers. The Mauritius Board of Investment has also invited the Investment Promotion Authorities/Agencies in the EAC Partner States for a Networking Conference from 20th to 21st September 2016 to be held in Mauritius. To cement the collaboration, the Mauritius Private Sector has expressed the need to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the EAC. The Africa Centre of Excellence for Business (ACEB) has pledged to develop an EAC Handbook on Opportunities that will serve as a marketing tool to underpin the collaboration.
A group of seventeen teachers from across the United States of America visited the East African Kiswahili Commission (EAKC) in Zanzibar on Friday, 8th July, 2016. Under the ‘Summer Oman-Zanzibar Curriculum Development Program’ funded by Fulbright-Hays and the Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center, the teachers of different subjects in US primary and secondary schools and universities were at the Commission to get first hand facts about its work. The program provides grants to support overseas projects in training, research, and curriculum development in modern foreign languages and area studies for teachers, students, and faculty engaged in a common endeavor.
In search of Facts on Kiswahili
Led by Prof. Lisa Adeli, the Director of Educational Outreach for the University of Arizona’s Center for Middle Eastern, and Prof. Scott Reese, a historian of Islamic Africa at Northern Arizona University, the teachers were on a one-week academic tour of Zanzibar after visiting Oman. Their Zanzibar visit was part of a series of short-term seminars, curriculum development, group research, and advanced intensive Kiswahili language programs.
The purpose of the visit was for the teachers to be provided with accurate information on Kiswahili, professional development opportunities, and materials that educators can use in their classrooms. Upon return to the US, the teachers are expected to design and develop integrated international studies curriculum into their institution's or school system's general curriculum. The project shall strengthen the capability and performance of American education in Kiswahili language and in area and international studies.
Need for Innovative Reforms and Collaborations
Addressing the teachers, the Executive Secretary of the East African Kiswahili Commission, Prof. Kenneth Simala, said that the East African Kiswahili Commission has a broad mandate of coordinating and promoting the development and use of Kiswahili in East African Partner States and beyond. Focusing specifically on Kiswahili Teacher Education, Prof. Simala explained that the Commission is working with stakeholders in addressing the urgent need for Kiswahili Curriculum Reform, Change and Innovation at all levels of education in the region.
Prof. Simala lauded the teachers for their choice of Kiswahili as their preferred modern language of training, research, and curriculum development. Saying that Kiswahili is the most popular African language of study in the US, the Executive Secretary called for collaboration and partnerships in areas of staff and student exchange programmes, research, publication and dissemination. Singling out the Fulbright-Hays and the Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center sponsorship of the study tour, Prof. Simala implored the organisers and sponsors to consider `working with the East African Kiswahili Commission in educating a new generation of culturally sensitive and knowledgeable citizens of the United States, Oman and East Africa about the breadth and richness of their cultures. He informed the teachers that the history of Kiswahili is closely interwoven with that of the Middle East, especially Oman.
EALA Member, and Chair of the Burundi Chapter, Hon. Hafsa Mossi is dead.
Hon. Mossi was shot dead by unknown assailants this morning in Eastern Mutanga in Bujumbura.
A dispatch from Police spokesman, Mr Pierre Nkurikiye, confirmed unknown assailants fatally shot Hon. Mossi near her home. When reached on phone, Hon. Emerence Bucumi, another EALA Member, confirmed the sad news.
EALA Speaker, Rt Hon. Daniel F. Kidega, strongly condemned the killing of the fallen legislator, eulogizing the late Hafsa Mossi as a hard working Member of the Assembly, who was committed to the ideals of the integration.
The EALA Speaker who is in Uganda on official duty, urged the Government of Burundi to immediately apprehend the assailants.
“My deep-felt condolences to the Government, family and friends as well as to the citizens of Burundi. I appeal for calm at this point and hope the authorities will move fast to ensure those behind the barbaric and cowardly act are immediately apprehended”, Rt Hon Kidega said.
Hon. Mossi, was a former Minister for East African Community Affairs, Burundi, until June 2012, when she was elected a Member of the East African Legislative Assembly. She is also a former British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Producer.
The Second Round of the Inter-Burundi Dialogue is scheduled to take place from 12th to 14th July 2016 at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC). The Media will be allowed only at the official opening and closing ceremonies. Journalists seeking to cover the event should email: a scanned copy of the press card; recent passport size photograph, and/or; copy of passport for accreditation purposes to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., CC: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Accreditation of Local and International Journalists intending to cover ONLY the official opening ceremony of the Dialogue on Tuesday 12th July 2016, will commence on Monday 11th July 2016 at 9.00am in Room 541, 5th Floor, Kilimanjaro Wing of the Arusha International Conference Centre. Kindly avail yourself in person with your valid Press Card and/or Passport (for non-Tanzanian nationals) to facilitate the accreditation process. Please present yourself physically even if you have e-mailed your particulars to the EAC Media Centre.
France has hailed ongoing reforms to promote more prudent use of resources and efficiency at the East African Community Secretariat.
French Ambassador to the United Republic of Tanzania and the EAC, Ms. Malika Berak, further pledged her country’s willingness to provide support to the ongoing Inter-Burundi Dialogue.
Amb. Berak reaffirmed France’s commitment to the success of the mediation which is aimed at promoting peace, reconciliation and security in the Republic of Burundi. The Inter-Burundi Dialogue is being facilitated by His Excellency Benjamin William Mkapa, former President of Tanzania with support from the EAC Secretariat.
Amb. Berak said that France as a member of the European Union knew that regional integration initiatives were full of challenges hence the country’s desire to work closely to promote integration in East Africa.
She described as timely and long overdue the reforms being undertaken by the EAC Secretariat to promote fiscal efficiency and accountability.
The French Ambassador made the remarks when she paid a courtesy call on the EAC Secretary General, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania today.
In response, Amb. Mfumukeko said the EU and France were some of the largest contributors of financial support to the Community.
Amb. Mfumukeko said the Inter-Burundi Dialogue was well on course with the next round of talks due to be held in Arusha, Tanzania this month. Amb. Mfumukeko said the EAC was committed to improving in terms of performance and delivery on its mandate of driving the integration process forward, adding that he had dedicated his first two months in office to putting in place reforms at the Secretariat.
“We are in the process of deep thinking, looking afresh at our priorities, appropriate allocation of resources, our budgeting and planning process, and seeking to learn from Brexit,” said the Secretary General.
He said the EAC was in the process of re-engineering itself in addition to re-energizing its staff for purposes of increasing productivity, adding that the Community would be receptive to ideas from Partner States, Development Partners and all stakeholders in the integration process on how to undertake the reforms.
Present at the meeting were Mr. Philippe Boncour, Counsellor and Head of Cooperation and Cultural Affairs at the French Embassy in Dar es Salaam; Mr. Charles Njoroge, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Political Federation, and; other senior EAC officials.
A former EALA Member, Hon Beatrice Shelukindo has passed on. The late Hon Shelukindo passed away in Arusha on July 2, 2016.
The late Hon Shelukindo, served in the First Assembly from November 2001 to October 2005. She resigned from the Assembly upon contesting and winning the Parliamentary seat in Kilindi Constituency in Tanga on a Chama Cha Mapinduzi ticket. Hon Shelukindo served in the 9th and 10th Parliament. She did not contest in the October 2015 polls.
As at time of death, Hon Shelukino was a Member of the ruling party’s National Executive Council in Kilindi, Tanga.
EALA Speaker, Rt Hon Daniel Fred Kidega, in a statement released from Nairobi, eulogized the fallen legislator as a great debater.
“The late Hon Shelukindo was a great leader, mentor and a courageous legislator who spoke her mind in both Houses (EALA and Parliament of Tanzania). It is a big loss to the United Republic of Tanzania and the EAC region. I proffer my condolences and that of the EALA Members to the family, friends and to her Parliamentary colleagues,” Rt Hon Kidega stated.
The late Beatrice Shelukindo was at one point a Parliamentary Service Commissioner in the Parliament of Tanzania. She also held leadership positions at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in Africa where she advocated for social causes.
The late Hon Shelukindo is expected to be buried in Arusha on Wednesday this week, according to a dispatch from the CCM Secretary, Kilindi District, Hawa Nanganyau.
The 24th Meeting of the Sectoral Council of Ministers Responsible for EAC Affairs and Planning concluded on 30th June 2016 in Nairobi, Kenya, with the Ministers endorsing the candidature of Hon. Dr. Specioza Kazibwe Wandira for the Chairmanship of the African Union Commission. The Republic of Uganda had earlier requested the Partner States to support the candidature of Hon. Dr. Specioza Kazibwe Wandira for the position.
Hon Phyllis J. Kandie, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of East African Community (EAC), Labour and Social Protection, Republic of Kenya chaired the meeting, which was attended by Rwanda’s Minister of East African Community, Hon. Valentine Rugwabiza; Burundi’s Minister in the Office of the President Responsible for EAC Affairs, Hon. Léontine Nzeyimana; Uganda’s State Minister for East African Community Affairs, Hon. Julius Wandera Maganda and Hon. Matia Kasaija, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning. H.E. Amb. John Michael Haule, The United Republic of Tanzania’s High Commissioner to the Republic of Kenya lead his country’s delegation to the meeting.
The Secretary General of the East African Community, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko and other Executives and senior officials from the EAC Secretariat were also in attendance.
Some of the Decisions/Directives and Recommendations of the 24th Meeting of the Sectoral Council:
The Secretariat to undertake a Joint Security Assessment Mission to the Republic of Burundi to re-assess the Security situation by 31st July 2016. The Team to comprise all Partner States representatives and to strictly abide by the Terms of Reference (ToR);
The Secretariat to develop a comprehensive strategic framework with clear timelines on the implementation of the Common Market Protocol Scorecard findings and the Single Customs Territory and report to the 25th Meeting of the Sectoral Council;
The Secretariat to convene a meeting of Heads of Immigration on harmonization of classification/common procedures and fees for issuance of work permit for citizens of EAC Partner States by September 2016;
The Secretariat to operationalize the Ad hoc EAC Service Commission by 1st July 2016 and report progress to the 34th Council in August 2016;
The Secretariat to develop a framework for transition to the proposed Commission within two (2) years taking cognizance of existing studies and other comparative information on other similar Regional Economic Communities;
The Secretariat to develop proposals on sanctions that can be imposed on Partner States that breach the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community in line with Article 143 of the Treaty and report to the 35th Meeting of the Council;
While the full admission of the Republic of South Sudan (RSS) will be confirmed by the ratification and depositing the Instruments of Ratification with the Secretary General (latest by 1st October, 2016), the Sectoral Council took note of the developed roadmap for the full integration of the new Partner State into the EAC and approved an exploratory mission at the Coordination Committee level with co-opted members from the Secretariat, Organs and Institutions of the Community be undertaken to RSS to engage the Government on its integration into the EAC;
The Secretariat to propose priority areas in the integration process that could be championed by individual Partner States and table the proposal at the October 2016 Meeting of the Sectoral Council;
The Secretariat to compile a draft list of Decisions that could be considered for Decision Making by Simple Majority and submit the list at October 2016 Meeting of the Sectoral Council;
The EAC Secretariat to urgently convene an Extra-Ordinary Meeting of the Sectoral Council on Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment (SCTIFI) through Video Conference preferably by 11th July, 2016 to deliberate on the finalization and preparation for signing the EAC-EU-EPA being proposed to take place on 18th July 2016, on the margins of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) XIV Conference in Nairobi, Kenya;
The Sectoral Council adopted the EAC Brand Architecture Concept Note and directed the EAC Secretariat to use the Youth, who have diverse talent in the region, in the process of developing the new EAC Brand Architecture. The Brand Architecture Concept Note proposes to develop a new EAC Logo and Flag; a common unique identifier for all EAC Organs and Institutions and a single primary (main) EAC Corporate Colour and one Secondary Colour; and a single visual identity emblem for the Community; and
The EAC Secretariat to resume meetings in the Republic of Burundi in accordance with the EAC Calendar of Activities.
The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the United Republic of Tanzania, and also accredited to the EAC bloc, H.E. Lû Youqing today paid a courtesy call to Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, the Secretary General of the East African Community. The Secretary General and his guest discussed among other things the possible areas of cooperation and the need to organise investment conferences to China led by the East African Business Council.
Amb. Liberat recognized the significance of China in EAC noting that China is a potentially big partner for the bloc. He acknowledged the contribution made by China in the infrastructure sector, particularly, rails; roads and air transport geared at enhancing trade in the region.
The Secretary General thanked China for her contribution towards the Burundi Dialogue Process and invited China to contribute to other projects and programmes, through the EAC Partnership Fund.
On his part, H.E. Lû Youqing, recognised the remarkable progress that EAC had made. He expressed China’s growing interest in augmenting its cooperation with EAC, specifically the China/EAC/FTA Cooperation, noting that it would positively impact EAC products going to China market especially agricultural products.
The Ambassador re-affirmed China’s commitment to support Integration interconnections i.e. Railway, Airlines and Industrialisation and stressed the need to fast track the signing of the MoU on China/EAC Aviation Cooperation.
He informed the Secretary General that China was finalising the process of donating vehicles to EAC to enhance its capacity. The Chinese envoy further expressed hope that the Secretary General would continue the strong cooperation with China.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Ireland to the United Republic of Tanzania, and also accredited to the EAC bloc, H.E. Fionnuala Gilsenan yesterday paid a courtesy call to Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, the Secretary General of the East African Community.
The Secretary General and his guest discussed among other things the possible areas of cooperation especially in the implementation of the Common Market Protocol and in particular, the Free Movement of Persons. Amb. Mfumukeko informed the Ireland envoy that the implementation of the next EAC Development Strategy would commence in 2017 and the EAC was counting on Ireland’s support to realise its goals.
Commenting on the progress of the Burundi Peace Talks, Amb. Mfumukeko updated Her Excellency that H.E. Benjamin Mkapa had recently met a group of politicians in Brussels as a continuation of the consultations that had been held in Arusha in May. He mentioned that the talks required further negotiations between all the parties involved and assured his counterpart that EAC was supporting an all-inclusive dialogue process.
On South Sudan, the Secretary General informed the Ireland Ambassador that South Sudan has been given six month to complete the ratification process of the Accession Treaty signed on 15th April 2016, after which the country will be a full member of the EAC.
On her part, H.E. Fionnuala Gilsenan commended the impressive progress made by EAC, especially the finalisation of ambitious Protocols and Policies. She emphasised the need of reaching and sensitising the common citizenry of the real benefits of integration noting that lack of this was one of key reasons for Brexit. She informed Amb. Mfumukeko that the decision by UK to exit EU would have great implications especially in Northern Ireland, which is still part of EU. On the Burundi Dialogue Process, the Ambassador underlined the need to have a strong dialogue plan that would accommodate the views of all stakeholders involved.
The Ireland Ambassador affirmed to the Secretary General her country’s continued support to the EAC projects and programmes confirming that Ireland was committed to contributing to the EAC Partnership Fund. She expressed hope that this would continue to build on the strong relationship and partnership between Ireland and EAC.
The Principal Secretary (PS), State Department of East African Community Integration, Ministry of EAC, Labour and Social Protection of the Republic of Kenya Ms. Betty Maina has lauded Kiswahili stakeholders in East Africa for championing the development and use of the language in regional integration.
Addressing participants at the official opening of a two-day Validation Workshop for the Strategic Plan of the East African Kiswahili Commission (EAKC) on Thursday, 23rd June 2016 at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) in Nairobi, Ms. Maina commended delegates drawn from all the EAC Partner States for using Kiswahili to sensitize the citizenry on the integration process and progress. Noting that Kiswahili is an integral part of the integration project and sustainable development for the region, the PS called for concerted efforts to support the Commission.
The PS called on the stakeholders to distil specific actionable areas that would have visible and tangible results that will be applicable and presentable to the public and other stakeholders. She challenged the stakeholders to brainstorm on possible sources of alternative funding to facilitate and enhance staff expansion and infrastructural development. She reminded the Commission that while considering request for supplementary budget, it should go beyond traditional funding and think about alternative resource mobilization.
The Executive Secretary of the East African Kiswahili Commission, Prof Kenneth Simala assured participants of the Commission’s commitment to executing its mandate of coordinating and promoting the development and use of Kiswahili in East Africa and the diaspora, where Kiswahili is the fastest spreading African language.
The Validation Workshop was closed on Friday 24th June, 2016 by Mr. Joe Okudo, Principal Secretary, State Department of Arts and Culture; Ministry of Sports, Culture and the Arts who noted that Kiswahili is quickly becoming a Pan-African language of identity. He urged stakeholders to take the lead in promoting the development and use of Kiswahili.
The Validation Workshop was the third in a week-long series of meetings organized by the EAKC to discuss effective operationalization and implementation of its mandate. The workshops were attended by over 143 delegates from across the Community.
University Kiswahili Staff and Student Exchange Programme
The first workshop on Monday, 20th June, 2016 was on the theme ‘University Kiswahili Staff and Student Exchange in the EAC and Beyond’ and was attended by Chairpersons of Departments of Kiswahili and Graduate Students from both public and private universities. Specific objectives of the Workshop were: To initiate linkages for students and staff exchange Programmes among East African Universities and beyond. A second objective was to establish stakeholders associations at national and regional levels as drivers of the first goal.
On Curriculum Reform, Change and Innovation
On 21st – 22nd June, 2016, EAKC in partnership with DAAD Regional Office in Nairobi held a workshop on ‘Curriculum Reform, Change and Innovation at Universities in East Africa’. Facilitated by distinguished scholars from across the region, the workshop also had presentations made by teachers of Kiswahili, media practitioners, government officials and DAAD alumni from EAC Partner States. Sharing experiences and learning from best practices, stakeholders at the workshop observed that the fast pace of globalization and regionalization has resulted in internalization of education and the need for staff and student mobility in East Africa and beyond. Among the key milestones of the workshop are: a Report; Mentorship Programme of DAAD Alumni for Kiswahili Scholars and Students; Roadmap on East African University Kiswahili Staff and Student Exchange Programme; National Associations of University Departments of Kiswahili; Association of East African Kiswahili media Practitioners.
Milestones and deliverables
At the end of the Workshop, the following milestones were achieved:
Draft Policy on University Kiswahili Staff-Student Exchange Programme in East Africa and beyond;
Linkages initiated between staff and students of Kiswahili in East African Universities;
National Associations of Chairpersons of Departments of Kiswahili in East African Universities;
East African Association of Chairpersons of Departments of Kiswahili at Universities;
National Associations of Kiswahili Media Operators in East Africa;
East African Association of Kiswahili Media Operators;
Workshop Report on ‘Curriculum Reform, Change and Innovation at Universities in East Africa’.
Workshop Proceedings from Facilitators (to be edited into a ten-chapter book)
