East African Community Secretariat, Arusha, Tanzania, 19th May, 2018:
On 8 May, 2018, the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic Congo (DRC) declared an outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the Bikoro Health Zone, Equateur Province in the Western part of the country.
By 15 May, 2018 a total of 44 EVD cases (3 confirmed) had been reported with 19 deaths, including three health care workers. As of 16 May, 393 contacts had been identified and are being followed. A new confirmed case in the 1.2 million people town of Mbandaka, some 150 km away from Bikoro, increases the risk of spreading the disease.
The World Health Organization (WHO), Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), the International Committee of the Red Cross and other international organization are on site and supporting the DRC in the fight against the outbreak, the ninth that has occurred in the country.
Ebola is a zoonotic virus disease that is transmitted from animals to humans. Experts believe that bats are the reservoir for the pathogen. While they do not get sick, the Ebola virus causes a severe, often fatal illness in humans. It spreads in the human population through human-to-human transmission, via direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people and through contaminated surfaces and materials, such as bedding or clothing. There is no therapy yet for EVD and about 50% of people infected with the virus may die. Health workers have an increased risk due to the nature of their work that exposes them to infected people.
Five out of six EAC Partner States share borders with the DRC, and all of them maintain close trade relations with high border traffic. There are also direct flights between the DRC and individual East African Partner States. These factors have caused the EAC to be on high alert. Partner States have put safety measures in place that range from screening people arriving from DRC at the border posts for signs of the disease to alerting health personnel; enhancing diagnostic capacities at major research centres; and informing citizens of the risk and of preventive measures. To date, no cases of Ebola have been detected in the EAC region.
The EAC region has experienced a number of Ebola outbreaks in the past, and some 500 East African experts assisted in the fight against Ebola in West Africa in 2014-2016, when the disease killed more than 11,000 out of almost 30,000 infected people. These experts represent a unique pool of professionals from different disciplines, all with hands-on experience in responding to EVD outbreaks. They can be mobilised at short notice to join the common effort of preventing the disease to spread into the EAC.
Still, the EAC Secretariat encourages the public to be vigilant and alert. People should seek medical attention when the following symptoms are observed: a sudden onset of fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. This is often followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, and a skin rash. It can be accompanied by internal and external bleeding (e.g. oozing from the gums, blood in the stools). The public is also urged to continue cooperating with the health workers of their nearest health facilities by availing themselves of information about EVD.
The EAC Secretariat commends the Partner States for their vigilance and quick and prudent response across disciplines as reflected in the One Health approach. The Secretariat will continue to monitor the situation together with the EAC Partner States to detect any occurrence of EVD in the region at the earliest possible time.
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For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
COMESA has handed over Information and Communications Technology (ICT) equipment and analytical software worth over US$ 110,000 to the Djibouti Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). The tools were procured through COMESA Regional Maritime Security (MASE) programme, which is funded by the European Union.
The equipment is intended to enhance the efficiency of the analytical work done by the FIU Unit as well as the quality of the intelligence disseminated to Law Enforcement Agencies and other relevant stakeholders, supporting the country’s daily efforts to fight money laundering and financial crimes.
Receiving the equipment on behalf of the government, Central Bank of Djibouti Governor Mr Ahmed Osman Ali said the fight against financial crime needs concerted efforts. “This handover we are witnessing today is very important for Djibouti and it will greatly booster our efforts in tackling the different forms of financial crime in this region.
He commended COMESA and the EU for providing the equipment and added that the Central Bank is more than ready to use it effectively and achieve the desired results.
Apart from strengthening the IT capacity of its FIU, COMESA has also assisted Djibouti in translating its anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) Laws into Arabic, an important step in the country’s endeavor to align its policies to international standards and become a member of the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF).
Representative of COMESA Secretary General, Ms. Elizabeth Mutunga, said the root factor that is of concern for COMESA within the MASE programme has been to strengthen the fight against money laundering. Adding that piracy, or any other crime is motivated and propagated by money.
“If therefore, the ability for criminals to access their illicit funds arising from criminal activities is made more difficult, then we can expect that the crime will also be reduced and hopefully ultimately eradicated,”. She said.
EU Resident Representative in Djibouti Ambassador Adam Kulach said the fight against money laundering in the region will only succeed if key institutions such as Central Banks are strengthened. He reiterated the EU’s commitment to support the region and urged the Central Bank to put the equipment to good use.
Three other Regional Economic Communities (RECs) are implementing the MASE programme addressing different components of maritime security and the fight against maritime crimes. The RECs are the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the East African Community (EAC) and the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC).
The COMESA component of the programme is implemented in partnership with Interpol, focusing on building capacity in the ESA-IO region to disrupt financial network of pirates and their financiers. COMESA strives to strengthen Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) chain, from improving the legal environment to strengthening the capacity of law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute financial crimes.
NOTE TO THE EDITORS
About MASE Programme MASE is a € 37.5 million EU-funded Programme for the period 2013-2020. It is implemented by Eastern and Southern Africa and Indian Ocean Regional Organizations namely IGAD (overall coordinator), EAC, COMESA and IOC. Other partners include European missions, UN Agencies (UNODC, FAO), Interpol. The Programme comprises five result areas. COMESA’s result area is: Dismantling financial networks linked to maritime crimes and minimizing their economic impact.
About COMESA COMESA is a regional economic community established by Treaty in 1994. It brings together 19 Member States with a population of over 500 million into a cooperative framework for sustainable economic growth and prosperity through regional integration.
Contact Details Ms. Dalisto Bonongwe, MASE Coordinator. Email: dbonongwe[at]comesa.int
East African Court of Justice Arusha, 11th May 2018:
The Appellate Division allowed the Secretary General’s Application between him and Angella Amudo. The Application (1st matter heard) was seeking the Court to expunge the initial Affidavit (sworn statement) filed on 2nd December 2016 in reply to her case (Taxation Reference No. 1 of 2016).
The Court ruled that the said Affidavit be replaced with the one sworn on 19th July 2017 by Honourable Jesca Eriyo. The Court further said that, the Respondent (Angella) was duly served, she has not appeared and there are no grounds of opposition on the affidavit and in the circumstances the Application was not opposed.
Later on, the Court in the interest of Justice, under Rule 1(2) of the Court Rules on the inherent powers of the Court, decided to dismiss the other two matters (the Application No. 1 of 2017 and the Taxation Reference mentioned above) because the Applicant (Angella Amudo) did not appear in Court and also she did not appear in the previous case.
The 2nd matter (Application No. 1 of 2017) she was challenging a bill of cost in Taxation cause No.1 of 2015 lodged by the Secretary General of the East African Community, that the bill of cost does not bear the signature of the taxing officer (Registrar of the Court) at that time and that the same was not served upon her within the prescribed time. She therefore objects the hearing of the taxation matter for the allegation of being lodged contrary to Rules of the Court. Rule 113(3) of the Court Rules which provides that:
In the 3rd matter (Taxation Reference), Angella Amudo was seeking for court orders to set aside a taxation award of a sum of two thousand and ten dollars (2010 USD) granted to the Secretary General of the EAC as cost for perusals, drawing, filing documents in Court and service to the parties in the matter.
Present in Court was Ms Brenda Ntihinyurwa, Legal Expert from the Office of the Counsel to the Community representing the Secretary General.
The orders of the Court was delivered by Honourable Justices: Liboire Nkurunziza (Vice President), Edward Rutakangwa and Aaron Ringera with of the Appellate Division in open Court.
Notes for editors:
Rule 1 .(2) provides that: Nothing in these Rules shall be deemed to limit or otherwise affect the inherent power of the Court to make such orders as may be necessary for the ends of justice or to prevent abuse of the process of the Court.
Rule 113 (3) (2) and (1): provides that: (1) The Registrar shall be a taxing officer with power to tax the costs of or arising out of any claim or reference as between parties.
(2) The remuneration of an advocate by the client shall be by agreement between them. Where there is no such agreement either of the parties may refer the matter to the Registrar for taxation.
(3) The costs shall be taxed in accordance with the Rules and scale set out in the Third Schedule for the First Instance Division and Eighth Schedule for the Appellate Division”.
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For more information, please contact:
Yufnalis Okubo Registrar East African Court of Justice Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 27 2162149 mail: Okubo [at] eachq.org www.eacj.org
About the East African Court of Justice:
The East African Court of Justice (EACJ or ‘the Court’), is one of the organs of the East African Community established under Article 9 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community. Established in November 2001, the Court’s major responsibility is to ensure the adherence to law in the interpretation and application of and compliance with the EAC Treaty.
Arusha is the temporary seat of the Court until the Summit determines its permanent seat. The Court’s sub-registries are located in the respective National Courts in the Partner States.
East African Community Secretariat, Arusha, Tanzania, 10th May, 2018:
The East African Community and the International Labour Organization Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at improving the work environment in East Africa.
The MoU which was signed at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania by EAC Secretary General Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko and Mr. Wellington Chibebe, the Director of the ILO Country Office in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania will, among other things, address issues such as youth employment, extension of social security, and Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women at the work place.
The MoU is a follow up to another one that was signed between the two organisations in 2001. The 2002 MoU enabled the EAC and ILO to develop and launch a five-year East African Decent Work Programme (2010-2015).
Amb. Mfumukeko said that the revised MoU provides for the development of a framework for the harmonisation of the EAC Partner States’ policies on social security in line with the ILO Convention on Social Security (Minimum Standards) No. 102 of 1952.
“The MoU further provides for the expansion of micro, small and medium enterprises for employment creation. Also included is the development of an EAC labour migration policy as one of the facilitators of labour mobility in the Community,” said the SG.
Amb. Mfumukeko said the Community was striving to address youth unemployment as a matter of priority, adding that having well educated but unemployed youth out of work was a time bomb.
He disclosed that EAC Partner States were addressing the issue by seeking to make agriculture as an attractive income generating venture for the youth.
Noting that matters of Entry/Work Permit/Residence Permit have an impact on the immigration function in the Partner States, the EAC Secretariat would convene a joint meeting of the Chiefs of Immigration and Directors of Labour before June 2018to finalize the harmonization of Entry/Work/Residence permits.
A meeting of technical officers from EAC and ILO held from 30th April to 2nd May, 2018 agreed to enhance collaboration in the implementation of a two-year project towards the extension of social security benefits to migrant workers in the EAC.
In his remarks, ILO Country Director Wellington Chibebe said that his organisation would work with the EAC to accelerate regional integration and at the same time ensure that the drivers of integration, that is the free movement of labour, goods and services enhance livelihoods of the millions of working women and men and their families.
“We welcome the signing of this new Memorandum of Understanding, which will be based firmly on a new DWP for East Africa, addressing strategically prioritized areas agreed upon by the ILO on one side and the EAC and the East African social partner organisations on the other side,” said Mr. Chibebe.
Mr. Chibebe said that giving financial assistance to the needy instead of equipping them with vocational skills was akin to creating culture of perpetual dependency.
Also represented at the two day forum were the East African Trade Unions Confederation (EATUC) and the East African Employers Organisation (EAEO).
Notes to Editors:
EAC and ILO signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 18th January, 2001 in which both parties agreed to consult each other with respect to planning and execution of programmes. The programmes include: pursuit of policies and of employment aimed at creating an environment for the development of the private sector and employment; facilitate labour mobility; harmonisation of labour legislation; promotion of fair labour practices through social dialogue and observance of fundamental principles and rights at work; social security and productivity improvement.
In 2010, the EAC and ILO developed and launched a five year East African Decent Work Programme (EA-DWP 2010-2015) which focused on three areas:
(i) Youth employment by creating a conducive policy environment for the youth and the self-employed, skills improvement and supporting entrepreneurship activities;
(ii) The extension of social security through the development of an EAC model social protection and protection of social security rights of migrant workers, and;
(iii) The enhancement of capacity for social dialogue and building technical capacity for EAC Trade Union Confederation and affiliated national apex bodies on collective bargaining and negotiation skills.
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For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
East African Legislative Assembly, Nairobi, Kenya, May 10th, 2018:
Kenya’s Deputy President, H.E. William S. Ruto, this morning received EALA Speaker, Rt Hon Ngoga Karoli Martin at the Office of the Deputy President in Karen, Nairobi.
The Deputy President and the EALA Speaker discussed matters of progress on the integration agenda and the role of EAC in so far as advancing continental economic integration is concerned.
An official tweet attributed to H.E. Ruto urged EALA to actualize relevant legislation to strengthen trade.
“The EALA has a unique opportunity to actualise a free trade area in the continent by enacting laws that will bolster regional integration, cooperation, strengthen customs and build a resilient common market”, the Deputy President said.
The two leaders rooted for concerted efforts by all Partner States if the integration agenda is to be realized.
“Africa can make huge gains, get richer and achieve more if we facilitate the free movement of people, goods, services and work together in trade and investment. Kenya believes we can prosper if we do more things together and less separately”, H.E Ruto added.
Rt Hon Ngoga on his part congratulated H.E. Ruto and hailed the Republic of Kenya’s support for EALA and the integration process.
Present at the meeting was the Chief Administrative Secretary for EAC Affairs and Northern Corridor Development, Hon Ken Obura.
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For more information, please contact:
Bobi Odiko Senior Public Relations Officer East African Legislative Assembly Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255-27-2508240 Fax: +255-27-2503103 Cell: +255-787-870945, +254-733-718036 Email: BOdiko [at] eachq.org Web: www.eala.org
About the East African Legislative Assembly:
The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) is the Legislative Organ of the Community and has a cardinal function to further EAC objectives, through its Legislative, Representative and Oversight mandate. It was established under Article 9 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community.
East African Court of Justice Arusha, 10th May, 2018:
The Appellate Division dismissed the Application seeking the reinstatement of an appeal in the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) case. The Application which was fixed for a scheduling conference on 9th May was filed by a Tanzanian citizen, Mr Castro Pius Shirima (Applicant), on 5th March 2018.
The case was dismissed due to non appearance of the Applicant or his advocate which amounted to an abuse of court process. The Court said that after fixing the Application, all parties were notified, at the Scheduling Conference but neither the Appellant nor his Advocate appeared. All the Respondents were represented by their Counsels, except the Republic of South Sudan.
On 6th July, 2017, the First Instance Division declined to grant the orders as sought in theApplication seeking for an injunction to stop the Partner States which had not signed the EPA Agreement not to sign the same and those who had signed, to stop them from carrying out any further procedures and processes. This led the Applicant to the Appellate Division for appeal.
On 15th February, 2018, the Court dismissed Appeal No. 3 of 2017, for the reason that the conduct of the Appellant amounted to abuse of Court process within the contemplation of Rule 1(2) of the Court Rules on inherent powers of the court. This was demonstrated through the Appellant’s inappropriate communication to the Court and to the other Parties of his absence in Court then.
On 5th March, 2018, the advocate for the Appellant filed a notice of motion seeking an order for the same Appeal to be reinstated and heard on merits. The Motion was expressed to be made under Rule 107 of the Court Rules on non appearance of the Party.
The Court in its Ruling further said that it was persuaded that the Application be dismissed with costs as being abuse of court process for the following reasons; that the Application was misconceived and that the Appeal was not dismissed on non appearance but rather on amendment of documents. Therefore, it was not in the premises open to the Appellant to make his Application for the Appeal to be restored for hearing on merits under Rule 107 (2).
After the Respondents’ Counsels complained that they were not served with the Application subject matter of the scheduling conference, the Court decided that the Conduct of the Applicant in filing an Application but failing to serve other Parties (the Respondents) except the Republic of Uganda (6th Respondent) and also failing to appear personally or by his advocate at the scheduling conference, amounts to further abuse of the court process.
In addition, the Court said that regarding costs, although it does not ordinarily award costs to the parson litigating in the Public Interest, the repeated abuse of the Court process by the Applicant in this matter, impels it to exercise its discretion otherwise.
In conclusion, the Court said that it “desires to put a stop to any other possible abuse of its process in this matter, by directing that no further Application relating to this matter shall be entertained at the Registry.”
Counsels representing the Respondents in court were Mr Nestor Kayobera Senior States Attorney for 1st Respondent (Republic of Burundi), Kepha Onyiso, Senior Principal State Counsel for 2nd Respondent (Republic of Kenya), Nicholas Ntarugera, Senior State Attorney for 3rd Respondent (Republic of Rwanda), Mark Mulwambo and David Kakwaya, Principal State Attorneys both for the 5th Respondent (United Republic of Tanzania), Elisha Bafirawala, Principal State Attorney with Ms Gorretti Arinitwe, State Attorney and Cheptoris Sylivia, Senior State Attorney all for the 6th Respondent (Republic of Uganda) and Brenda Ntihinyurwa, Legal Expert representing the Secretary General of the East African Community (7th Respondent).
The Ruling was delivered by Honourable Justices: Dr Emmanuel Ugirashebuja (President of the Court), Liboire Nkurunziza (Vice-President), Justice Edward Rutakangwa, Aaron Ringera and Geoffrey Kiryabwire.
Notes for editors:
(2) Where an appeal has been so dismissed under sub rule (1) of this Rule or any cross-appeal has been allowed, the appellant may apply to the Appellate Division to restore the appeal for hearing or to re-hear the cross-appeal, if he can show that he was prevented by any sufficient cause from appearing when the appeal was called on for hearing.
1 .(2) Nothing in these Rules shall be deemed to limit or otherwise affect the inherent power of the Court to make such orders as may be necessary for the ends of justice or to prevent abuse of the process of the Court.
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For more information, please contact:
Yufnalis Okubo Registrar East African Court of Justice Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 27 2162149 mail: Okubo [at] eachq.org www.eacj.org
About the East African Court of Justice:
The East African Court of Justice (EACJ or ‘the Court’), is one of the organs of the East African Community established under Article 9 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community. Established in November 2001, the Court’s major responsibility is to ensure the adherence to law in the interpretation and application of and compliance with the EAC Treaty.
Arusha is the temporary seat of the Court until the Summit determines its permanent seat. The Court’s sub-registries are located in the respective National Courts in the Partner States.
East African Legislative Assembly, Nairobi, Kenya, May 7th, 2018 (lifted from PSCU release):
President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday urged the East African Legislative Assembly to strengthen its Secretariat so that it can serve the region better and play a bigger role in integration.
The President said a strengthened secretariat will enable the regional assembly to play a bigger role in the free movement of goods and people within the region.
President Kenyatta made the remarks when he held a meeting with the Speaker of EALA, Rt Hon Ngoga Karoli Martin who paid him a courtesy call at State House, Nairobi. The EALA speaker was accompanied by EALA Kenya Chapter Chair, Hon Simon Mbugua, Hon Dr Oburu Oginga and Hon Wanjiku Muhia.
Present at the meeting were the Deputy President, H.E. William Ruto and the Cabinet Secretary for EAC Affairs and Northern Corridor Development, Hon Peter Munya.
EALA is expected to have the 5th Meeting of the 1st Session in Nairobi in May 2018.
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For more information, please contact:
Bobi Odiko Senior Public Relations Officer East African Legislative Assembly Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255-27-2508240 Fax: +255-27-2503103 Cell: +255-787-870945, +254-733-718036 Email: BOdiko [at] eachq.org Web: www.eala.org
About the East African Legislative Assembly:
The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) is the Legislative Organ of the Community and has a cardinal function to further EAC objectives, through its Legislative, Representative and Oversight mandate. It was established under Article 9 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community.
The Appellate Division will start its session today 8th , and the sessions will go up to 25th May. The Court will handle thirteen (13) matters in total among these are 5 scheduling conferences, 4 hearings and 2 Judgments.
The matters will be brought before the Honourable Justices: Dr Emmanuel Ugirashebuja (President of the Court), Liboire Nkurunziza (Vice-President), Justice Edward Rutakangwa, Aaron Ringera and Geoffrey Kiryabwire.
Among the cases to be heard there are two arbitration disputes one; by the Winglink Travel Limited Vs the Secretary General of the East African Community. It will be up for a scheduling conference on 22nd May . The 2nd Arbitration matter is by Kati General Enterprise Vs the Agriculture Fisheries & Food Authority (Pyrethrum Processing Co. of Kenya Ltd). The Members in Chambers are Justice Dr Emmanuel Ugirashebuja (Chair), Justice Edward Rutakangwa and Justice Aaron Ringera Members of the Chambers. This will be heard on 17thMay.
The 2 Judgments to be delivered are; one will be delivered on 24th May 2018, is for Appeal by the East African Civil Society Organisations’ Forum Vs the Republic of Burundi and others and the 2nd Judgment which will be delivered on 25th May 2018, is for the Appeal by the Rt Hon Dr Margaret Zziwa Vs the Secretary General of the East African Community.
Article 32 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community, provides arbitral jurisdiction to the Court to hear and determine any matter arising from arbitration clauses or Special agreements. The Court arbitrates any dispute at no cost. So far the Court has received three (3) arbitration matters 1 has been determined and 2 still in progress.
Notes for Editors:
ARTICLE 32
Arbitration Clauses and Special Agreement the Court shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine any matter:
(a) arising from an arbitration clause contained in a contract or agreement which confer s such jurisdiction to which the Community or any of its institutions is a party; or
(b) arising from a dispute e between the Partner States regarding this Treaty if the dispute e is submit ted to it under a special l agreement between the Partner States concerned; or
(c) arising from an arbitration clause contained in a commercial contract or agreement in which the parties have confer red jurisdiction on the Court.
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For more information, please contact:
Yufnalis Okubo Registrar East African Court of Justice Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 27 2162149 mail: Okubo [at] eachq.org www.eacj.org
About the East African Court of Justice:
The East African Court of Justice (EACJ or ‘the Court’), is one of the organs of the East African Community established under Article 9 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community. Established in November 2001, the Court’s major responsibility is to ensure the adherence to law in the interpretation and application of and compliance with the EAC Treaty.
Arusha is the temporary seat of the Court until the Summit determines its permanent seat. The Court’s sub-registries are located in the respective National Courts in the Partner States.
East African Community Secretariat, Arusha, Tanzania, 4th May, 2018:
German Foreign Minister Heiko Mass today toured the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzanian.
Hon. Mass who was on a working visit to Tanzania held bilateral talks with EAC Secretary General Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko. The two leaders discussed development cooperation between the Federal Republic of Germany and the EAC on regional economic integration, health, water, and institutional strengthening of the EAC Secretariat.
Addressing a media briefing after the meeting, Amb. Mfumukeko said that relations between Germany and the EAC have been strong for the past two decades.
Amb. Mfumukeko disclosed that Germany had supported the EAC to the tune of 290 million euros including funding the construction of the EAC Headquarters.
The Secretary General said that on 9th April, 2018, the EAC and Germany signed a financing agreement of 5 million euros for the EAC Scholarship Programme in Berlin.
“The scholarship programme will be implemented in cooperation with Inter-University Council of East Africa and KfW, the German Development Bank. The objective of this programme is to promote EAC’s regional integration agenda by supporting higher education students and their role in fostering awareness for the East African integration, promoting social change as well as economic growth,” he said.
The financial agreement for the scholarship programme was part of the 35 million euros that will go towards supporting regional immunization.
The Secretary General further revealed that Germany’s had since 2013 contributed 120 million euros to fight child mortality through the immunization programme in the EAC.
“So far more than 60 million euros has been spent on Rota Virus, Pneumococcal and Pentavalent vaccines in the EAC Partner States. Also, many children have been vaccinated against the biggest killers of children, namely diaorrhea and pneumonia,” he said.
He said EAC and Germany were finalizing an agreement of 5 million euros to support the small and micro enterprises sector in East Africa.
“The aim of the project is to improve opportunities for growth for small and medium sized enterprises in East Africa. The project will be implemented in collaboration with GIZ, the German Technical Cooperation Agency, and the East African Business Council, the apex body of private sector organisations in East Africa.
Accompanying the Secretary General at the meeting with the German Foreign Minister were the EAC Deputy Secretaries General Hon. Christophe Bazivamo (Productive and Social Sectors) and Eng. Steven Mlote (Planning and Infrastructure).
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For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
East African Community Secretariat, Arusha, Tanzania, 4th May, 2018:
The 37th Meeting of the East African Community Council of Ministers is currently underway at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The seven-day meeting which kicked off on Wednesday this week started with the Session of Senior Officials which ended on Thursday. The Coordination Committee which brings together the Principal/Permanent Secretaries and Undersecretaries will take place on Friday and Saturday while the Ministerial Session of the meeting will be held from 7th to 8th May, 2018.
Among the items on the agenda of the 37th Meeting of the Council are the Consideration of: the Report of the EAC Audit Commission on the EAC Financial Statements for the Financial Year 2016/2017; Report of the 20th Meeting of the Sectoral Council on Legal and Judicial Affairs; Proposed Amendments to the Protocols on the Establishment of the East African Kiswahili Commission, the East African Science and Technology Commission, and the East African Health Research Commission.
The meeting will also consider the Status of Implementation of the EAC Brand Architecture Strategy, and; the Report of the 7th Meeting of the Sectoral Council on Interstate Security.
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For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
