EALA over the weekend participated in Umuganda (Community social work) in Kizinguro, Gatsibo District in Rwanda using the occasion to join citizens in tree planting.
The occasion saw the legislators engage also in sensitisation as part of the outreach activities in the area. It coincided with the National Tree Planting Initiative launched countrywide.
Speaker Daniel Fred Kidega hailed the citizens of Rwanda for their participation in development of the country. He said the country had continued to progress and praised President Paul Kagame for his leadership. The Speaker urged the citizens to take advantage of the integration process and draw from its tangible benefits.
“Do not look at Gatsibo as the only market for the honey you produce. What is produced here should and can be sold in the five Partner States”, the Speaker said.
The Speaker called on the globe as it convenes the COP 21 in Paris, France to give the continent a fair deal.
“On Monday, governments are meeting in Paris to discuss a possible global agreement on climate change aimed at keeping global warming under 2 degrees Celsius. As EALA Members, we are calling upon our technical negotiators to push for a fair deal”, he said.
“Africa is not a major pollutant like developed countries that emit a lot of gases. Yet Africa is most vulnerable to climate change effects. The main polluters should pay more and be the main players in reducing global warming”, the Speaker added.
The tree-planting initiative in Gatsibo shall enable the citizens to plant 25,000 trees in the area. Minister for Natural Resources, Dr Vincent Biruta hailed the Armed Forces for playing a key role in sustainability and maintained that food security and conservation of non-timber projects was vital.
The occasion took place hot on the heels of the passage of the EAC Forests Management and Protection Bill 2015 by EALA.
The EAC Forestry and Management Protection Bill, 2015 hopes to promote the development, protection, conservation, sustainable management and use of the forests in the Community especially trans-boundary forests ecosystems, in the interest of present and future generations.
It further wants to espouse the scientific, cultural and socio-economic values of forests and harmonise national forest laws.
The Bill seeks to operationalise Article 112(1)(d) of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC in which Partner States undertook to co-operate in the management of the environment and agreed to take necessary disaster preparedness, management, protection and mitigation measures especially for the control of natural and man-made disasters.
The Governor of the Eastern Province, Odette Uwamariya, remarked that 15,000 hectares of land had been set aside for re-afforestation and said the Community would constantly be sensitised on importance of forestry and good governance among other thematic areas.
In attendance were senior government officials, EALA Members and the diplomatic representatives from Netherlands, Belgium and Israel. Representatives of the Rwanda Natural Resources Authority and the Rwanda Agricultural Board also attended.
In March 2011, EALA participated in the Anti-Nyakatsi drive (grass thatched houses) in Kanyinya sector, Nyarugenege district on the outskirts of Kigali and helped to construct houses during an Umuganda occasion led by President Paul Kagame.
One month later, EALA returned to the area to distribute 300 sheets of iron to underscore its desire to see shelter provided as a basic right for all.
EALA has passed the EAC Forests Management and Protection Bill 2015 in effect putting in place a regional framework to conserve the environment.
The Bill, whose mover is Hon. Christophe Bazivamo, sailed through at its 3rd Reading after the Committee stage scrutinised its various clauses, proposing amendments. The Report of the Agriculture, Tourism and Natural Resources was presented by Hon. Judith Pareno on behalf of the Chair.
The EAC Forestry and Management Protection Bill, 2015 hopes to promote the development, protection, conservation, sustainable management and use of the forests in the Community, especially trans-boundary forests ecosystems, in the interest of present and future generations. It further wants to espouse the scientific, cultural and socio-economic values of forests and harmonise national forest laws.
Once amends are integrated, the Bill is expected to undergo assent by the Heads of State in line with Article 63 of the Treaty for the Establishment of EAC. The Bill seeks to operationalise Article 112(1) d) of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC in which Partner States undertook to co-operate in the management of the environment and agreed to take necessary disaster preparedness, management, protection and mitigation measures especially for the control of natural and man-made disasters.
The Bill delineates the roles and responsibilities of Partner States and seeks to promote uniformity and integration in the area of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and management. Finally, the Bill seeks to create a regional mechanism which would enable a timely intervention in disaster situations.
The Assembly had at its last sitting in Nairobi in October 2015 adjourned debate on the Bill. The adjournment at Committee stage followed the successful Motion for the same, tabled by the Chair of EAC Council of Ministers, Hon. Dr Harrison Mwakyembe, seeking for more time to enable the United Republic of Tanzania to make input.
Hon. Dr Mwakyembe then informed the House that the United Republic of Tanzania was expected to go to the polls in October and that it was necessary for the debate to be put on hold until such time that a new Government is in place to effectively enable the Partner State to make its input.
The Bill has five parts with the Preliminaries and objectives contained in Part 1. Part two covers general measures on forest management and protection while Governance and institutions of forest management and control are entailed in part 3 of the Bill. Part 4 amplifies trade in forest related products while section 5 envisages co-ordination matters under a Board known as the EAC Forests Board to be operationalised by the Council of Ministers.
The First Instance Division on 11th November 2015 declined to grant interim orders in an Application filed by Alice Nijimbire from the Republic of Burundi in her case against the Secretariat for rejecting her request for dispensation to do interviews for the said position from EAC Headquarters in Arusha.
The Applicant on 28th October filed an Application seeking Court to grant the interim orders to stop the process of the recruitment of the Registrar pending hearing of the main case before Court. The Court disallowed the Application and reserved the reasons to be delivered on notice and these are the reasons:
The court said that it recognises the principles that governing the grant of interim orders. That the Applicant must demonstrate a prima facie case probability of success, but the interim orders sought would not normally be granted unless such Applicant might suffer irreparable injury that could not adequately be compensated by an award of damages.
Furthermore, the Court found out that the Application did not establish a prima facie case and the Applicant has not sufficiently demonstrated the irreparable injuries that she is to suffer yet she seeks nullification of the decision of the Respondent / Secretariat on 28th September 2015 (The suspension of the recruitment process and re launch of the interview process under a different panel of interviews.
In addition, the Court was unable to determine the Applicant’s prospects of success in the interview from the proceedings presented, that this would have provided a guide as to the magnitude of her injury should the recruitment process not be halted.
The Court also found that the circumstances of the case are such that halting the recruitment process in the absence of satisfactory proof of injury to be suffered by the Applicant would occasion greater injury to the Respondent (EAC Secretariat) that has discharged its duty as far as the recruitment process is concerned. Court also found out that no documentary proof in support of her claims was submitted.
Again, the Court said that the recruitment process seem to be in advanced stage and only awaits the appointment of the successful candidate by the appointing authority, the Council of Ministers.
The subject of this matter is that the Applicant Alice Nijimbire has sued the EAC Secretariat against its decision in her request for dispensation to do interviews for the position of the Registrar of the EACJ at EAC Headquarters not in Burundi as she was called for interviews in Burundi but because she resides in Arusha and that her child was very sick she requested to do interviews in Arusha, however the Secretariat rejected her request. The applicant alleges that it is breach of the Treaty Articles 6(d), (e) and (f) for the Establishment of the Treaty.
2nd Matter on the same related issue: Reasons of the Ruling
The First Instance Division also gave reasons for the ruling on 30th October 2015 disallowing the Application filed by Mr Rwenga Etienne and Mr Moses Marumbo citizens from the Republic of Rwanda and United Republic of Tanzania respectively versus the Secretary General of the East African Community.
The Applicants are challenging the act of the Secretary General to recruit the Registrar of the East African Court of Justice on the basis of requirements other than the ones set out by Article 45(1) of the Treaty is an infringement of the Treaty. Article 45(1) provides that “The Council shall appoint a Registrar of the Court from among citizens of the Partner States qualified to hold such high judicial office in their respective Partner States”.
The Applicants are therefore seeking the interim orders restraining the Secretary General or any other person drawing orders from him from continuing with the process of the recruitment of the Registrar of the East African Court of Justice pending the hearing of the main case.
The Court in its ruling also said that the Applicant have not sufficiently demonstrated the irreparable injury they stood to suffer if this Application was disallowed in accordance with the principles that governing the grant of interim orders. The Court went ahead and declined to grant the interim orders as sought and the matter is also scheduled for January 2016.
The subject of the matter is that the Applicant challenges the process of recruitment of the Registrar of the Court (EACJ) on ground that it was not transparent nor fair because the Secretary General selectively applied the quota system and denied citizens of Rwanda and Tanzania the opportunity to competitively participate in the said process and that such an action undermines the spirit of integration enshrined in Article 6(d) of the Treaty.
Also, alleges that the Respondent declined to abide by the directive of the Council of Ministers which directed to recruit the Registrar in accordance with Article 45 of the Treaty as well as Staff Rules and Regulations. That instead he purported to amend the directive by demanding qualifications of the Office of the Registrar beyond what is set out in Article 45.
Citizens of the region are set to benefit a great deal through facilities offered by the One-Stop Border Posts (OSBPs) in the EAC Partner States. Already where the facilities are running bilaterally, there is facilitation of free movement of persons and the enhancement of trade between the Partner States, an EALA report adopted by the House states.
In the regard, regional legislators are calling for the fast-tracking of all remaining works of the OSBPs to allow its implementation for further integration.
At the same time, it is key for the assent of the OSBP Bill, 2013, in the Partner States to be finalised to give it legal effect in the entire region. It has been stated that Partner States are implementing the OSBP Initiatives bilaterally as they await for completion of the Assent process. At the moment, the Bill which was introduced by the Council of Ministers is in Rwanda for the final assent signature. Already, the Republics of Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda have assented to the Bill.
The recommendations are contained in a report of the Communication Trade and Investments (CTI) on the OSBPs in EAC Partner States debated and passed by the House. The report was presented to the House by Hon. Nancy Abisai on behalf of the Committees Chair, Hon. Mukasa Mbidde.
EALA Members undertook an On-Spot Assessment on the One-Stop Border Posts in EAC Partner States in the months of April and September 2015. Phase one of the assessment covered OSBPs of Mutukula (Uganda/Tanzania), Mirama Hill/Kagitumba (Uganda/Rwanda) and Rusumo (Rwanda/Tanzania) on 8th to 11th April 2015. The second phase covered Lungalunga/HoroHoro (Kenya/Tanzania), Taveta/Holili (Kenya/Tanzania) and Namanga (Tanzania/Kenya) from 30th September to 3rd October 2015.
The objectives of the One–Spot assessment was to find out the status of implementation of the OSBP initiative project and its effect on the movement of people and the EAC business environment. It also set to interact with stakeholders and identify opportunities and challenges affecting the implementation of effective OSBPs and to come up with relevant recommendations.
Stakeholders who participated in the On-Spot Assessments included Revenue Authorities, Immigration, Bureau of Standards, Police, Clearing and Forwarding Agents, and Traders. Others were Transporters, Local Authorities and Development Partners as well as officials from the EAC Secretariat.
One Stop Border Posts lessen days and facilitate inter-regional and international transport and road transit. According to analysts, when exiting one country and entering another, OSBPs combine two stops into one.
During the meetings, Members were informed that the construction of OSBPs were delayed at the Mutukula (Tanzania side) due to late handover of the site, power outages and floods among others. Mutukula on the Uganda side also had delays occasioned by re-designing challenges, delays in relocation of police posts occupying the area and delay in release of funds among others.
The OSBP on Mirama Hills, which was financed by TradeMark East Africa to the tune of USD 7.8 Million was however completed in time as was the facility at Kagitumba, Rwanda/Uganda border.
Construction at Rusumo border is expected to be concluded in time in December 2015. In Namanga, the Report indicates that construction on the Tanzania side has been completed even though not formally handed over due to a number of outstanding issues. On the Kenya side, a number of challenges continue to hamper the completion including erratic power supply, lack of drive through scanners for goods carrying vehicles and funding shortages.
Generally on all borders, there is limited knowledge on borders with regards to OSBPs, lack of operating manuals and inadequate water supply. In its findings, the report underscores training and sensitisation programs and the need for teamwork.
At debate, Hon. Shyrose Bhanji lamented that implementation of the decisions of the House were overlooked. “I had hoped to hear there is 100% implementation of the OSBPs. The reasons given for the delay are not good. Where is the problem, Hon Speaker”, she posed. “The process of getting the Bill has been costly. It is important that it is effected”, she said.
Hon. Straton Ndikuryayo said the Bill was key in ensuring trade facilitation. Hon. Bernard Mulengani said various basic amenities including school, water and housing were lacking and this may have impact on enhancing OSBPs. He further said Partner States were managing OSBPs on bilateral agreements and there was need to address the matter.
Hon. Hafsa Mossi rooted for awareness creation and requested Investment authorities should avail information on investment opportunities at the border. She further called for the harmonisation of the time zones between the Partner States. At the moment, Rwanda and Burundi are one hour in the time zone behind Kenya, Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania.
The Secretary-General of the EAC, Amb. Dr Richard Sezibera mentioned that the EAC Summit of EAC Heads of State was keen to assent to the Bills more efficiently. “In the recent past, they have assented to Bills including the EAC HIV and AIDS Management Act, 2012, EAC Conflict Management Act, 2012, EAC Elections Act, 2012 and the EAC Community Emblems (Amendment) Act, 2008. Others are the Customs Management Amendment Act, 2012 and the EAC Supplementary Act, 2012”, he remarked.
The Secretary-General reiterated that the EAC OSBP Bill and the Vehicle Load Bill were currently in Rwanda on the last stop and that the process of assent was on.
Hon. Sara Bonaya noted that the issue of ownership of land was necessary as was the standard of optimal parcels of land for future expansion. Others who supported the report were Hon. Taslima Twaha, Hon. Dr James Ndahiro, Hon. Pierre Celestin Rwigema and Hon. Dr Kessy Nderakindo.
EALA Member, Rt Hon. AbuBakr Ogle, late yesterday moved a motion for a Resolution advising the Assembly to urge Partner States not to introduce attempts to manipulate institutions, threaten Members or undermine their status, terming such a move unlawful and an affront to the principles under the EAC Treaty.
The Resolution condemns in the strongest term possible all attempts to undermine the authority of the Assembly and claims to the privileges and status of its Members.
The Resolution was however not debated. In its place, the EALA Speaker, Rt Hon. Daniel Fred Kidega, made a ruling deferring the matter to the Committee on Legal Rules and Privileges for immediate digestion. He further tasked the Committee to refer back the matter to the House as soon as possible.
The Resolution follows a recent letter written to the EALA Speaker by his counterpart, the Speaker of the Burundi National Assembly, Rt Hon. Pascal Nyabenda, ceasing membership of four Members from Burundi to EALA. The four are Hon. Jeremie Ngendakumana, Hon. Frederic Ngenzebuhoro, Hon. Yves Nsabimana and Hon. Dr Martin Nduwimana. The letter written to Speaker Kidega earlier this month, avers that the conditions through which they (four Members) presented themselves for elections had now changed.
It says in part that the party on whose strength two Members were elected to EALA was no longer represented in the Burundi National Assembly. Two other Members had on their part ceased to be Members of their parties having duly resigned.
In his response to the said letter, the Speaker noted that the request was not tenable owing to the fact that it had contravened section 51 of the EAC Treaty among other provisions. Hitherto, the Counsel to the Community offered legal opinion on the matter after acquaintance with the Constitution of the Republic of Burundi and the Electoral laws in the country.
The Resolution which was seconded by Hon. Dr James Ndahiro noted that matters of privileges of Members touch on the integrity and independence of the Assembly and that any threats bring with it a potential to undermine the authority of the Assembly and compromises its functioning under the EAC Treaty.
Justifying the matter on the floor of the House, Hon. AbuBakr Ogle remarked that the letter written by the Burundi National Assembly was tantamount to a raid on the independence and privileges of the House. The Resolution further appeals to the Organs and Institutions of the Community to guarantee safety and security of all Members of EALA and staff as well as those of other Institutions of the Community.
The motion was moved under Rule 30 (j) of the Rules of Procedure which allows for a motion raising a question of privilege to be asked without notice.
At the commencement of the 3rd Meeting of the 4th Session of the 3rd Assembly early this week, EALA Speaker remarked that the Assembly was concerned about what is happening in Burundi.
“Many lives have been lost, others maimed, peace disrupted, property damaged and the economy destabilised following the rapid escalation of violence and the instability over the last few months. The situation is worrying and could be dire and grave”, Rt Hon. Kidega said.
He remarked that he had reached out to the President of the Senate to rally legislators to work towards finding permanent solutions to the crisis.
“As an Assembly, we have also debated on and passed the Report of the Goodwill Mission of EALA to the Burundi Refugees in Eastern Province of Rwanda and in Kigoma in the United Republic of Tanzania. Last week, the Assembly also received a petition from concerned East Africans keen to see the impasse resolved”, the Speaker remarked.
In celebration of East-Africaness, the East African Community (EAC) Deputy Secretary-General in charge of Finance and Administration, Mr Liberat Mfumukeko, on behalf of the Secretary-General, Amb. Dr Richard Sezibera, graced the official opening of the third Zinduka Festival held at Sheikh Amri Abeid Memorial Stadium in Arusha, Tanzania.
Meaning “re-awakening consciousness” in Kiswahili, Zinduka brings together participants from the fields of academia, social movements, civil society organisations, media, the business community, the EAC Secretariat and East African government bodies to engage in discussions regarding East African integration, to find collaborative measures to strengthen advocacy on EAC integration for sustainable development and to celebrate the region’s rich diversity.
Reiterating on the importance of integration, which is also the theme of this year’s Zinduka Festival, Mr Mfumukeko stressed on the need for more citizenry participation, adding that, “this is the only way that our collective dream can be realised. Popular ownership is the foundation for a secure and sustainable East African Community”.
The Zinduka Festival comes in time of EAC Day marked for November 30, 2015. With 15 years of integration already under her belt, the Community was in the forefront of the Customs Union in 2005, the Common Market in 2010, the signing of the Monetary Union Protocol in 2013, as well as continuous efforts in fast-tracking the process towards an East African Political Federation. In addition to this, in 2011, the EAC designed a Forum for the involvement of Civil Society and the Private Sector in the integration process.
“With women constituting over 60 percent of the EAC population, their role in boosting social and economic development of the Community and trade across the region cannot be overemphasised”, said Mr Mfumukeko. “Youth is another group that cannot be ignored. Many of our young people have brilliant and innovative ideas, and if we all should work together with them to create an environment where this potential can be fully tapped to drive growth and development”, he said.
The Zinduka Festival originated from the need for a people owned process envisaged in Article 127(3) and (4) of the EAC Treaty. Zinduka is a catalyst that compliments other ongoing as well as future efforts by state and non-state actors to build a sustainable EAC through active citizenry participation. The inaugural Festival was held between May 30 and June 1 2013 in Arusha.
The 16th edition of the East African Community Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi Exhibition will take place from 30th November to 6th December 2015 at the Mnazi Mmoja Grounds in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The theme of the Exhibition is Buy Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) products, Build East Africa.
According to the EAC Principal Trade Officer (Internal) Mr Nduati wa Karanja, the theme portrays the role MSEs are expected to play in the growth and development of the region’s economies. Mr Karanja disclosed that so far 1,000 artisans had registered and confirmed their participation. The distribution of artisans who have so far confirmed participation according to the as follows: Burundi, 50; Kenya, 250; Rwanda, 100; Uganda, 80, and; the host, United Republic of Tanzania, 520.
The 16th EAC Jua Kali/Nguvu Exhibition will be officially opened on 2nd December 2015. To participate in the Exhibition, exhibitors from Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda are required to register with the respective ministries of Trade and Industry, while those in Kenya must register with the Small and Medium Enterprises Authority.
In order to support promotion of the Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi sector of the regional economy, the EAC Secretariat in collaboration with the Partner States and Confederation of Informal Sector Organisation East Africa (CISO-EA) has organised the annual exhibitions since 1999. The exhibitions have proved to be strategic avenues for promoting the sector’s products, transfer of technologies, and promotion of the regional integration process.
Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame is calling on the region to concert its integration efforts and to address challenging issues notably insecurity, bad governance and corruption as it garners to realise the regional economic bloc’s Vision 2050.
The President’s remarks were delivered by the President of the Senate, Rt Hon. Bernard Makuza, at the commencement of the 3rd Meeting of the 4th Session of the 3rd Assembly at the Parliament of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda, this afternoon.
He reiterated that all East Africans must eradicate the “business as usual” mindset and strive towards progress of strengthening integration. “As legislators, we must ask questions and keep searching for solutions for and on behalf of our people. We must identify and address whatever may divert the progress of the Community, and ensure that there are no obstacles to our co-operation for integration. And to start with, procedures and processes governing Organs of the Community should not be themselves an obstacle to the growth of the Community”, Rt Hon. Makuza said.
Rt Hon. Makuza tasked the EAC to involve all the people in the integration process for the tangible benefits to be realised.
“It is indeed common sense that our people must be consulted and involved in each step of integration programs as much as possible. The fact of the matter is that, the cost of failing to involve people widely enough, ultimately is much higher than what is required to invest, for people’s participation in the decision-making processes”, Rt Hon. Makuza told the House.
He called on the EAC Partner States to speedily implement the Common Market Protocol saying the delay had caused citizens a number of opportunities.
Rt Hon. Makuza further hailed EALA for the attention it is paying to issues of natural resources, environment management, food security and rural development. He said that Rwanda had after the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi, learnt vital lessons that essentially enabled the country to transform itself.
The country, Rt Hon. Makuza, added, understood that unity, security and good governance were key for survival and sustainability as a nation and that Rwanda had remained committed to the EAC.
He said Parliament of Rwanda had listened carefully to the will of the people regarding the country’s Constitutional Amendment.
“As legislators, there is no other voice to hear, other than our people’s will, both in decision-making and in accountability. People’s aspirations are the only argument against intimidations and prejudices. National sovereignty belongs to our people. We cannot afford to apologise for the very things that work for our people, and which make us stronger. This is the real expression of democracy”, Rt Hon. Makuza said.
The President of the Rwanda Senate further urged the Assembly to articulate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the UN in September this year, while placing people and the environment at the centre of the priorities.
In his remarks, the Speaker of the EALA, Rt Hon. Daniel F. Kidega noted that East Africans were interested in seeing more tangible benefits of integration through the various integration pillars.
“With regards to the Customs Union, we are glad the Summit is pushing for the operationalisation of the Single Customs Territory to streamline and enhance clearance of goods. The improvement at the Dar es Salaam and Mombasa ports will make both the Central and Northern Corridors attractive in terms of facilitation of trade”, Rt Hon. Kidega said.
The Speaker said the Assembly, was concerned about what is taking place in the neighbouring Republic of Burundi.
“Many lives have been lost, others maimed, peace disrupted, property damaged and the economy destabilised following the rapid escalation of violence and the instability over the last few months. The situation is worrying and could be dire and grave”, Rt Hon. Kidega said.
“I have recently had the opportunity of meeting with the President of the Senate of Burundi and called upon him to rally the country’s legislators to go above and beyond the call of duty in restoring stability”, Speaker Kidega added.
“As an Assembly, we have also debated on and passed the Report of the Goodwill Mission of EALA to the Burundi Refugees in Eastern Province of Rwanda and in Kigoma in the United Republic of Tanzania. Last week, the Assembly also received a petition from concerned East Africans keen to see the impasse resolved”, he remarked.
Rt Hon. Kidega added that EALA was further keen to buttress the mode of assent of Bills.
“We are of the view that the region takes advantage of the Summit sittings which can create opportune moment for the Summit Members to exercise their mandate as stipulated under Article 63”, Speaker Kidega said.
The Speaker further rooted for sustained funding for the Community saying it was time for the EAC Partner States to seek alternative mechanisms for funding.
At the EALA Session, the following matters form notable business:
The EAC Forest Management and Protection Bill, 2015 - 2nd and 3rd Reading
The EAC Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Bill, 2015 - 2nd and 3rd Reading
Debate and adopt Reports of various Committees of the House.
A number of Reports are also expected to be debated and adopted.
In her remarks, the Speaker of the Rwanda Chamber of Deputies, Rt Hon. Donatile Mukabalisa, hailed the existing relations between the Parliament of Rwanda and EALA. She said Parliament of Rwanda had focused on the speedy harmonisation of the country’s laws with those passed by EALA.
She mentioned that Parliament of Rwanda was also readying itself for the Inter-Parliamentary Games’ Tournament on 4-11th December 2015, which brings together EALA and National Assemblies.
Moving the vote of thanks, Hon. Dora Byamukama said the Assembly would deliberate on the message of H.E. Paul Kagame and to find the mechanisms to implement the directives.
Hon. Byamukama said the EAC was yearning for accelerated pace of implementation of laws to speed up integration in the EAC region. She hailed the Secretary-General of the EAC, Amb. Dr Richard Sezibera for introducing the scorecard on Non-Tariff Barriers.
Hon. Byamukama maintained that issues concerning human rights needed to be addressed as a matter of priority.
Representatives from the East African Community (EAC) Partner States, government officials, international development agencies and civil society organisations gathered in Arusha, Tanzania for a one-day workshop on Climate Change.
The Climate Change, Renewable Energies and Sustainable Use of Natural Resources in East Africa - The Role of Climate Finance workshop, which was organised by the EAC, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) and Tanzania Civil Society Forum on Climate Change (Forum CC).
Putting a spotlight on the current climate finance architecture and its opportunities for use in East Africa, the delegates looked at ways in which climate finance mechanisms can help boost the sustainable use of natural resources and renewable energy in the region, with an emphasis on the perspectives of the civil society.
Delivering the keynote address, the EAC Director for Productive Sectors, Mr Jean Baptiste Havugimana reiterated the effects of climate change on agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, fishing, wildlife and the health sector.
Mr Havugimana said that the EAC has initiated regional climate finance readiness activities that aim at having the EAC Secretariat and the East African Development Bank accredited as Regional Implementing Entities to the Adaptation Fund and the Green Climate Fund so as to directly access international climate change financing for the mitigation of climate change.
“The acceleration of human-induced changes in the climate system, including sea level rise, with negative implications and projections for the African continent”, said Mr Havugimana.
He said that the adverse impacts of climate change were a major challenge to socio-economic development in East Africa due to the region’s heavy dependence on natural resources which are highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
“The impacts affect key economic drivers such as water resources, agriculture, energy, transport, health, forestry, wildlife, land and infrastructure, and disaster risk management, among other things”, said Mr Havugimana.
Speaking at the forum, Mr Jackson Muro, the Director of the Tanzania Civil Society Forum for Climate Change, cited the drastic change in weather patterns in East Africa as one negative effect of climate change.
“In Tanzania, for example, rainfall has become less predictable and droughts have become both frequent in occurrence and last longer compared to a few years back. Sea levels are rising at an alarming pace and several parts of the coastal region are at risk of being submerged like Pangani town in Tanga. There are already some parts that are now completely under the sea as is the case of Mazwe Island near Pangani”, Mr Muro said.
“In many parts of Tanzania, temperature has increased by about 0.2 to 0.6 degrees Centigrade for the past 30 years. The impact of increased temperatures is evidenced by the fast decline of snow on Mount Kilimanjaro and other mountains in the region”, he added.
The EAC Secretariat was officially accredited as an observer to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change by the 18th Conference of Parties (COP18) in Doha, Qatar. Since then, the EAC has been playing a key role in the international climate change policy discourse through providing leadership on regional climate change policy setting and mainstreaming of climate change adaptation and mitigation in regional integration programmes, projects and other initiatives in accordance with the EAC Climate Change Policy adopted by the EAC Heads of State in April 2011.
The East African Community (EAC) Secretariat over the weekend sensitised over 100 members of the Kenya Railway Golf Club during the EAC Golf Tournament in Nairobi, Kenya.
A one-day tournament organised by the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA)-Kenya Chapter and sponsored by the EAC Secretariat attracted over 100 golfers and other invited guests.
The EAC Golf Tournament tournament which was being held for the first time was part of an outreach programme for the Secretariat to members of the Kenya Railways Golf Club in Nairobi.
Addressing the golfers who had participated during the presentation of the awards to the winners, Kenyan EALA MP Hon. Peter Mathuki urged members of the Kenya Railway Golf Club to embrace the spirit of regional integration, adding that the people of East Africa shared a common destiny.
Hon. Mathuki who represented the Speaker of EALA, Right Hon. Daniel Kidega, as the Chief Guest informed the Club that the EAC has recorded major milestones towards integration including the successful implementation of the EAC Single Customs Territory along the Northern Corridor which has resulted into the speedy delivery of cargo from Mombasa to Kigali, a development likely to reduce the cost of doing business in the region.
Under the EAC Single Customs Territory, which came into effect on 1st June 2014, importers can now clear their goods at the points of entry with revenues being collected at a single point, in this case, the ports of Mombasa and Dar es Salaam. The revenues are then submitted to the destination Partner States.
The legislator said that sports activities across the continent had brought individuals and communities together by highlighting the commonalities among them and at the same time, bridging the cultural or ethnic differences.
The EAC Secretariat used the tournament to sensitise on the progress being made in the regional integration process by the Partner States in various sectors.
