The 11th Meeting of the EAC Bureau of Speakers is to take place in Arusha on Friday this week (April 29th, 2016).
Speakers from the EAC Parliaments (National Assemblies/Senates) and EALA are expected to be in attendance and shall discuss weighty matters of relevance to the integration process. The meeting is expected to revisit and make amends to the Rules of Procedure of the Bureau of EAC Speakers that guide the Forum. The meeting will also see the handover of the Chair of the Bureau of Speakers from the Parliament of Tanzania to the East African Legislative Assembly.
The one day meeting shall be preceded by a meeting of Clerks (April 27th and 28th, 2016) which among other things shall review the mandate of the Bureau, discuss modalities of operationalization of the East African Parliamentary Institute (EAPI) and a number of topical issues on emerging challenges in legislature in the region. The report of the key meeting will feed into that of the Speakers’ Forum for consideration.
The Bureau of the EAC Speakers is the umbrella body that EALA and the National Assemblies utilise to champion the cause of Parliaments in the region, that of enacting legislation, oversight and representation and plays a key advisory role to the Summit of the EAC Heads of State.
The Bureau holds meetings annually under the guidance of a Chairperson who is elected under the principle of rotation. The inaugural meeting of the Bureau of Speakers was held in May 2008. The decision making process of the Bureau of Speakers is by consensus.
The Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community places emphasis on the need for EALA and the National Assemblies of Partner States to liaise in several ways in matters related to the Community.
Article 49(2) (1) of the Treaty provides that "The Assembly (EALA) shall liaise with the National Assemblies of Partner States on matters relating to the Community”.
H.E. Ali Hassan Mwinyi, Former President of the United Republic of Tanzania, over the weekend presented Amb. Dr Richard Sezibera, the EAC Secretary General, with the final observation report from the recently concluded General Elections held in 18th February 2016, in the Republic of Uganda. The ceremony took place at the residence of the Former President in Dar es salaam, Tanzania.
“I was very happy to observe the patience and orderliness with which the people of Uganda conducted her General Elections," said H.E. Ali Hassan Mwinyi. “These and many other things that have also been highlighted in the report, can be used as benchmarks for which other countries can borrow good practices from,” he added.
While receiving the Report, the Secretary General thanked the Former President for his leadership and commitment to the EAC Elections Observers Mission, adding that, “the cooperation between the EAC and other stakeholders led to sustainable peace in the country."
The report consists of recommendations to streamline and improve the electoral process for future in the Republic of Uganda. The EAC Observer Mission Report will be submitted to, among others, the Electoral Commission of Uganda, through the EAC Council of Ministers for consideration and implementation.
Construction of the Aga Khan University (AKU) is in the offing in Arusha, Tanzania and the move is viewed as a catalyst for positive transformation that will see the city expand as the intellectual, social and political hub for East Africa. The Arusha Campus project which is part of a planned US$ 500 million expansion in East Africa by H.H the Aga Khan, seeks to enroll Arts and Science students from across the region, notably from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan. There will be two graduate professional schools in the first phase; Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism and Architecture and Human Settlement.
In solidarity, EAC Executives paid a visit to the proposed site situated 4km from Arusha Airport on Dodoma road. The site covers 3200acres out of which the potential area for development rests on 1700acres.
On behalf of the EAC Secretary General Amb. Dr Richard Sezibera, the Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sectors, Hon. Jesca Eriyo accompanied the Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly, Rt Hon. Daniel Kidega and the Judge President of the East African Court of Justice, Hon. Justice Emmanuel Ugirashebuja to the Aga Khan University (AKU) site in Arusha.
Receiving the Executives from EAC was the Director, Aga Khan University Campus Development in Tanzania, Nizar Jaffer Somji. Others were the Diplomatic Representative of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) in Uganda;,Mahmood H. Ahmed; the Director of Site and Facilities, Murad Jivan; Resident Architect, Amina Hirani; Special Projects Manager, Azmina Jivan; Resident Representative, Amin Kurji; Nursery Manager, Roshan Hemani and Community Engagement Officer,Lazaro Ole Mongoi.
In 2007, H.H the Aga Khan announced plans to build a major new university campus in Arusha. The decision to erect a new campus in Arusha stemmed from his faith in the future of the East African Region. The new development represents the biggest expansion for AKU since it opened its first campus in Karachi, Pakistan about 25 years back.
AKU’s ambitious 15 year-plan includes a significant commitment of global resources to the East African region through the expansion of the University’s presence in Arusha, transforming EAC’s capital into a “regional intellectual epicenter".
Before a tour of the site was a presentation on the site plan outlining some of the facilities the project will offer in its first phase. These include: a primary and secondary school, a university, housing for students and staff, a training hotel and retail outlets and a university hospital in future.
Currently, the design plan for the construction of the project is at its final stages and execution of the design plan is expected to commence soon after its completion. On-site activities within the project include a reforestation programme which is ongoing and community engagement activities such as health camps, community based savings groups, fodder distribution among others.
In his remarks, the Speaker was utterly impressed with the project plan and commended AKDN’s efforts to not only invest in a bid to make profit but also to benefit the surrounding population, an effort he termed as ‘humanitarian capitalism’. He remarked that the Assembly was keen to enact relevant piece(s) of legislation that would anchor the vision of the Aga Khan.
Being her first visit to the Arusha Campus site, the Deputy Secretary General stated that she was eager to see the project materialize. Hon. Jesca Eriyo also emphasized that; “The community needs to know that the project is for their benefit therefore raising awareness about the project, creating job opportunities for the youth within the project and identifying areas of co-investment and partnerships with the locals by engaging CSOs and other community based interest groups is key in order to build the capacity of the community economically as underpinned in the project’s objectives.”
The EACJ Judge President concluded with a congratulatory message to H.H the Aga Khan for the success of the Aga Khan Foundation projects so far, adding that the EAC is highly committed to offer as much support to ensure that the upcoming project is a success for the benefit of future EAC generations.
The Secretary General of the East African Community, Amb. Dr Richard Sezibera met and held discussion with President Elect of the Republic of Uganda, H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Wednesday 13th April 2016, at State in Entebbe, Uganda.
Amb. Sezibera congratulated President Museveni upon his resounding victory in Uganda’s February 2016 General Elections and hailed him for his firm support to the EAC integration agenda.
Amb. Sezibera, whose 5-year term comes to an end on 25th April 2016, briefed President Museveni on the milestones so far achieved in the Single Customs Territory, Common Market, Monetary Union and several infrastructure projects within the Community.
His Excellency commended the outgoing Secretary General for his dedicated service to the Community and wished him well in his future endeavors.
His Excellencies Presidents Salva Kiir Mayardit of the Republic of South Sudan and Dr. John Pombe Joseph Magufuli, of the United Republic of Tanzania and the Chairperson of the East African Community Heads of State Summit are scheduled to sign the Treaty of Accession of the Republic of South Sudan into the East African Community (EAC) on Friday 15th April 2016 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
At their 17th Ordinary Summit held on 2nd March, 2016 in Arusha, Tanzania, the EAC Heads of State received the report of the Council of Ministers on the negotiations for the admission of the Republic of South Sudan into the Community and decided to admit the Republic of South Sudan as a new member. The Summit then designated the Chairperson, His Excellency President Dr. John Pombe Joseph Magufuli of The United Republic of Tanzania, to sign the Treaty of Accession with the Republic of South Sudan.
MEDIA ALERT
All Local and Foreign Journalists intending to cover the Signing Ceremony are alerted that the Accreditation Process will commence from the afternoon of Wednesday 13th April 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 East African Community (EAC) Secretary General, Amb. Dr Richard Sezibera, today officially opened a two-day Regional Trade and Feed the Future Coordination Conference organized by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the EAC.
The two day conference, which is taking place at the Kibo Palace Hotel in Arusha, Tanzania is aimed at enhancing collaboration and information sharing among USAID missions and Partners to improve integration, innovation and scaling up of results, will focus on the implementation of policy priorities and sharing lessons learned from across the region and initiatives.
Amb. Dr Richard Sezibera said that the EAC and US government have built and sustained a mutual and strategic partnership dating back to the EAC’s inception.
"The partnership continues to grow from strength to strength through common development objectives and funding for various programs including trade and investment, agriculture, environment, Health and institutional support," said Dr Sezibera.
"I wish to acknowledge and appreciate the tremendous contribution and investments that USAID has made in advancing regional integration particularly in the EAC Region," he added.
The Secretary General disclosed that in 2015, the EAC concluded a Cooperation Agreement on Trade Facilitation, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS), and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), adding that the implementation of the agreement would strengthen the capacities and enhance competitiveness of the EAC Partner States in areas of trade and agricultural development.
On his part, the USAID/Kenya and East Africa/Regional Economic Integration Office Director, Mr. Matthew Rees, hailed the efforts that the Community has made in implementing policy priorities, adding that this has promoted prosperity in the region.
Present at the conference were USAID mission staff, representatives from other US Government Agencies (USDA), implementing partners as well as officials from the EAC Partner States.
The Secretary General of the East African Community, Amb. Dr Richard Sezibera today received Mr Sam Nkusi, Group Executive of Liquid Telecom, the leading independent data, voice and IP provider in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa. The Secretary General, who was accompanied by Eng. Robert Achieng, EAC Senior Engineer in charge of Planning and Communications, warmly welcomed the Liquid Telecom Group Executive to the EAC Headquarters.
Mr Nkusi briefed Amb. Sezibera on the operations of Liquid Telecom and said the company was embarking on a project to build a new submarine cable infrastructure that will provide a cost-effective and reliable link for landlocked, southern, central and east African countries to the Internet and to the world.
“Leveraging Liquid Telecom's 20,000km-long fibre optic terrestrial network, this pan-African private sector project will support fast growing needs for Internet connectivity and help Africa’s Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector leapfrog towards achieving its Sustainable Development Goals” noted the Liquid Telecom CEO.
Mr. Nkusi reiterated that the cable, running along the East coast of Africa and into the Red Sea, will take a less congested route to Europe, and will interconnect with all existing networks and with other international submarine cables. According to Liquid Telecom, this will also address the need for mobile operators to increase internet speed delivered over their mobile broadband networks.
He said the project was a major step towards fulfilling EAC’s mission to widen and deepen Economic, Political, Social and Cultural integration in order to improve the quality of life of the people of East Africa.
The Secretary General hailed the private sector-led initiative and affirmed the Secretariat and the Community’s support to the project and urged Partner States to support the project. He noted that the biggest support EAC could provide towards the overall implementation of the project would be to provide a Cross-Border Inter-Connectivity Regulatory Framework in order to guide and facilitate inter-connections across borders within the EAC, and could possibly be shared with other regional economic blocks in Africa.
The government of Spain has accredited its Ambassador to the United Republic of Tanzania, Mr Felix Costales Artieda, to also serve as Ambassador to the East African Community. His Excellency Felix Costales Artieda today presented accreditation letter to the Secretary General of the East African Community, Amb. Dr Richard Sezibera.
Amb. Felix Artieda informed the Secretary General that his government attaches great importance to regional economic groupings such as the EAC and congratulated the EAC Secretary General for the wonderful regional initiative. “Count on Spain’s support because the goals of the Community are excellent for the prosperity of the people in the region”, asserted the Spain Envoy, adding that “regional integration initiatives take time but you need to continue so as to build a strong and powerful bloc”.
While receiving the Spain Envoy, the Secretary General of the East African Community, Amb. Dr Richard Sezibera hailed the existing cordial relations between the EAC and Spain. The Secretary General welcomed the support from the Spainish Government geared towards enabling the Community to achieve its ambitious agenda.
Dr Sezibera briefed him on the progress being registered by the Community so far that include implementation of Protocols on the Customs Union, Common Market and East African Monetary Union.
Meanwhile, earlier today, the EAC Secretary General met the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, H.E Mr Lv Youqing for bilateral discussion. The two parties deliberated on a number of areas that offer the potential for collaboration between EAC and China including the cooperation in aviation and trade sectors.
The EAC Secretary General appreciated the Chinese for their role in infrastructure development in the EAC Partner States and specifically for their support to the Secretariat.
On his part, the Chinese Ambassador Extra-ordinary and Plenipotentiary to Tanzania, commended the Secretariat for the role it is playing in promoting regional cooperation and integration.
A two-weeks regional Military Command Post Training Exercise codenamed Ushirikiano Imara 2015 concluded today at Kenya’s Humanitarian Peace Support School, in Embakasi, Nairobi.
More than 250 members of the armed forces, police and civilian components from the EAC Partner States took part in the joint command post exercise meant to practice participants in the planning and conduct of peace support operations, counter terrorism, counter piracy, media and disaster management.
The exercise was also meant to improve the capabilities to combat complex security challenges and sought to harmonise the working relationships and improve military interoperability between the EAC Partner States’ Armed Forces.
In his address to the participants and invited guests at the closing ceremony, Kenya’s Defence Principal Secretary, Amb. Peter Kaberia commended the EAC Secretariat for organising military activities within the framework of the EAC Protocol on Cooperation in Defence Affairs, among them the Command Post Exercises.
At the same occasion, Lt General Joseph Kasaon, the Vice Chief of the Defence Forces noted that training was an important aspect in the military and it was a major pre-occupation in peacetime.
Lt Gen. Kasaon, who was representing the Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Samson Mwathethe, said “the exercise came at a time when the region and indeed the continent was facing diverse challenges both military and ideological emanating from the changing nature of our society”, adding that ‘”the Northern part of Africa and the Horn are struggling with violet extremism that threatens to spread southwards and therefore we in the EAC are the buffer for the rest of Africa and must therefore stand together to ensure that peace and security prevails”.
The Vice Chief of the Defence Forces asserted that the modern day soldier was constantly confronted with a faceless and borderless enemy and therefore the need to have a concerted approach against the enemy and to remain steadfast in joint preparations to face the current and future challenges to the region.
On behalf of the Secretary General of East African Community, Amb. Dr Richard Sezibera, the Deputy Secretary General in charge of Political Federation, Mr Charles Njoroge reiterated that it was a great inspiration to the people of East Africa to see members of the Armed Forces together with the Police and civilians gathered under the auspices of the Community participating in the Military Command Post Exercise.
“This is a living testimony that EAC integration is moving towards greater heights and the event offered concrete hope and prospects for future integration and progress for the people of East Africa”.
He said the EAC Co-operation in Defence offers great scope and prospects for the consolidation of East African regional integration and development process. “It emphasises that we need unity, peace, stability and strength to defend our common interests”.
During the two-weeks exercise, several guests visited and shared with the Contigents on peace and security as a prerequisite for regional integration and development process, including Hon. Dr Augustine Philip Mahiga, the Chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers and Minister for Foreign Affairs, East Africa, Regional and International Cooperation of the United Republic of Tanzania.
Kenya’s Defence Cabinet Secretary, Amb. Dr Raychelle Awuor Omamo graced the opening ceremony on 24th March 2016. Both the opening and closing ceremonies of the exercise were graced by Uganda’s 3rd Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of EAC Affairs, Rt Hon. Dr Ali Haji Kirunda Kivejinja, Ministers, Ambassadors, regional top military officers, and the media.
The 4th High-Level Dialogue of the EAC Partnership Fund was held on Wednesday, March 25, 2016 in Dar es Salaam Tanzania. The dialogue was attended by Heads of Diplomatic missions accredited to the EAC and also members the EAC Partnership Fund.
The dialogue was co-chaired by the Norwegian Ambassador, H.E. Hanne Kaarstad and the EAC Secretary General Amb. Dr Richard Sezibera.
Addressing the Heads of Diplomatic missions, the Secretary General of the East African Community Amb. Dr Richard Sezibera expressed his appreciation for the support he has received from the development partners and noted that for the EAC Partnership Fund was more than monetary support. “The Partnership Fund is a forum for dialogue, creates avenues for discussing key integration issues and mobilizing political support for EAC regional integration”, added Dr Sezibera.
The EAC Secretary General noted the positive growth of the fund since 2011, and called on Development Partners to honour their pledges through actualizing pending disbursements which currently stand at 24% for the financial year 2015/16.
Dr. Sezibera underscored the importance of the basket fund to the EAC, noting the significant support the Partnership Fund has given to the EAC including: financial support to the Implementation of the Customs Union and Common Market Protocols; Private Sector development; finalization of the One-Stop Border Post regulations; negotiations and finalization of the EAC Monetary Union Protocol; institutional strengthening including the EAC Institutional Review; enhancing public awareness of the EAC; and development of EAC Vision 2050 among many other projects that have been completed or currently ongoing.
The Secretary General further disclosed to the Heads of the Diplomatic missions that the use of Video-Conferencing facilities at EAC has significantly reduced the need for physical meetings by one third, resulting in huge cost savings.
The EAC Chief called upon Trademark East Africa to join the Partnership Fund in order to better synchronize prioritization of EAC integration projects. Dr. Sezibera urged the Development Partners to provide technical and financial support to South Sudan being a young country joining the EAC.
In her welcome remarks, Amb. Kaarstad, on behalf of the Development Partners thanked the outgoing EAC Secretary General for the constructive cooperation and tirelessly promoting the work of the EAC as established in the Treaty and protocols.
“The large turnout this afternoon is a testament to a strong and continued interest in the EAC’s role and in the regional integration processes”, said Amb Kaarstad.
Amb. Kaarstad further emphasized, “the accomplishments of the Secretary General span all pillars of the EAC integration. The benefits of easier movement of people, goods, services and capital are the results. The EAC has under Dr Sezibera progressed in eliminating Non-Tariff Barriers, harmonizing common and external tariffs as well as standards and quality”.
Amb. Kaarstad noted that although the Development Partners account for 43% of final budget at the EAC, a small portion of this goes through the Partnership Fund.
