East African Community Secretariat, Arusha, Tanzania, 4th May, 2018:
The Government of France has accredited its Ambassador to the United Republic of Tanzania, H.E. Frédéric Clavier , to also serve as Ambassador to the East African Community. His Excellency Clavier presented his accreditation letter to the EAC Secretary General, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko.
Amb. Clavier informed the Secretary General that France attaches great importance to regional economic groupings such as the EAC and went on to describe the EAC as a wonderful initiative in regional integration.
“Count on France support because the goals of the Community are excellent for the prosperity of the people in the region. Regional integration initiatives take time but you need to continue so as to build a strong and powerful bloc,” said the envoy
The French envoy also commended the progress made so in the ongoing Inter-Burundi dialogue, urging that the negotiations should continue to be as inclusive as possible.
On his part, EAC Secretary General, Amb. Mfumukeko, hailed the existing cordial relations between the EAC and the Government of France. The Secretary General welcomed the support from French Government geared towards enabling the Community to achieve its ambitious agenda.
Amb.Mfumukeko briefed the French Ambassador on the progress made by the Community on the integration journey including the implementation of the Customs Union, Common Market and East African Monetary Union protocols.
Amb Mfumukeko commended the government of France for its dedicated support to the EAC integration. Amb. Mfumukeko and H.E. Clavier deliberated on a number of areas that offer the potential for collaboration between the EAC and France including the cooperation in various sectors such as Agriculture, Energy , Environment and Climate Change.
-ENDS-
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, 30th April, 2018:
The 8th meeting of the Sectoral Council on Finance and Economic Affairs (SCFEA) is currently underway at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The five-day meeting, which will run from today 30th April to 4th May, 2018, is being attended by Finance and Economic Affairs experts from the EAC Partner States.
The SCFEA will, among others, consider the reports of the Sectoral Committee on Statistics, Monetary Affairs Committee, Capital Markets, Insurance and Pensions Committee, Committee on Fiscal Affairs, and Task Force on development of the East African Monetary Union institutions.
The SCFEA meeting kicked off with the Session of Senior Officials, which will run up to 2nd May, 2018. This will be followed by the Coordination Committee, which consists of the Permanent/Principal Secretaries on 3rd May, 2018, and the Ministerial Session on 4th May, 2018.
Meanwhile, the 28th Meeting of the Sectoral Council on Cooperation in Defence is also on-going at the EAC headquarters in Arusha. The purpose of the Meeting is to consider several reports including status of Implementation of Previous Decisions of the Sectoral Council.
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 Court of Justice, Arusha, 25th April, 2018:
The First Instance Division granted leave to Hon Fred Mukasa Mbidde, to join as an intervener in the case challenging the legality of the election of the Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), that was filed by the Attorney General of the Republic of Burundi versus the Secretary General of the East African Community (EAC). Hon Mbidde is a Member of EALA.
Hon. Mbidde's application for intervention was made under Rule 36 (4) of the Court Rules of procedure which provides that “If the Court is satisfied that the application for leave to intervene is justified, it shall allow the intervention and fix a time within which the intervener may submit a statement of intervention and the Registrar shall supply to the intervener copies of the pleadings.”
The Court in its ruling said that, it has carefully considered the merits of the Application and deduce no injustice or prejudice whatsoever to be suffered by the First Respondent (Republic of Burundi) in the event that it is allowed. The Court added that, on the contrary, “We deem it to be in the interests of justice as well as the best interests of the Community that a Member of the house who was present when the decisions underlying the impugned election were made, be granted leave to intervene in the matter.”
During the hearing in March 2018, Mr. Donald Deya, representing Hon. Mbidde said that, if the order sought by the Republic of Burundi in this case was granted, it would affect the Applicant (Mbidde) and other Members of the Assembly and the substantive Speaker, which will deprive the work of EALA that had spent six months without operating, hence a risk if he is not involved in the matter.
Deya also argued that the Applicant filed the matter on his own behalf and on behalf of other EALA Members interested in the case. Deya added that because the Applicant and other Members of EALA were present on the day of the election, therefore they have knowledge, evidence, information and insights about the election process which he wants to bring to the attention of the Court which will assist the court to arrive at the best decision.
The Court’s ruling on the argument above, said that, the express wording of the Resolution of the House that was availed to it, in turn reads as follows: “Now therefore, this House do resolve to: 1) grant leave to Hon Fred Mukasa Mbidde and any other Member of the Assembly who may want to intervene, and or to appoint lawyers to represent it in the case Reference No. 02 of 2018 in the East African Court of Justice ; 2) Grant leave to Hon Fred Mukasa Mbidde to use the records of the House in case Reference No. 02 0f 2018.”
The Court therefore from the above wording of the Resolution, said that, it does not amount to authorizing Hon Mbidde to act on behalf of such other Member of the House as would be interested in intervening in the said Reference (Case).
The Republic of Burundi in the main case (Reference) is challenging the election of the Speaker of EALA, arguing that, the Assembly did not follow Rule 12 of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly, which requires the quorum of one third (1/3) of the elected Members from each Partner State, yet Burundi and the United Republic of Tanzania did not participate in the elections.
Burundi is therefore asking court to declare that the election violated rule 12 (1) of the EALA Rules of Procedure and order for the re-election of the Speaker in accordance with the Rules of Procedure.
Hon Mbidde (Applicant) was present in Court to receive the Ruling. The ruling was delivered by Honorable Judges Lady Justice Monica Mugenyi (Principal Judge), Justice Isaac Lenaola (Deputy Principal Judge), and Justice Fakihi A .Jundu,
Notes to Editors
Rt. Hon Martin Ngoga (the current Speaker) from the Republic of Rwanda was elected Speaker of EALA on 19th December 2017. Rt Hon Ngoga polled 33 votes in the second round of voting against Hon. Leontine Nzeyimana of Burundi who amassed 3 votes while Hon. Adam Kimbisa of the United Republic of Tanzania did not receive any vote. Rt. Hon. Ngoga replaced Hon. Daniel Kidega from the Republic of Uganda whose term expired. According to the Treaty, the position of the Speaker of EALA is rotational.
Article 40 of the Treaty provides that: A Partner State, the Secretary General or a resident of a Partner State who is not a party to a ca se before the Court may, with leave of the Court, intervene in that ca se, but the submissions of the intervening party shall be limited to evidence supporting or opposing the arguments of a party to the case.
ENDS
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 Court of Justice Arusha, 25th April 2018:
The First Instance Division declined to grant ex parte orders (Order granted in the absence of the opposing party) to Mr Hassan Basajjabalaba (Ugandan), to stop the government of Uganda from summoning him for investigation over a criminal case.
The ex-parte Application was filed on 17th April 2018, under a certificate of urgency premised under Article 39 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community and Rule 21 (2) of the Rules of procedure of the court.
The present Application was triggered by a letter dated 9th April 2018, requiring the Applicant to appear before the CID at Kibuli on 24th April 2018, to provide further information in the matter under investigation to facilitate the ongoing preparations for the hearing of the criminal case against the Applicant.
The Applicant (Basajjabalaba) was seeking ex-parte restraining orders directed at the Respondent (The Republic of Uganda) and his agencies, specifically the Uganda Police and any other security agency or department of the government of Uganda. The Applicant sought the following Court orders: That the summons issued on 9th April 2018, requiring the attendance of the Applicant before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to be interrogated or questioned in relation to criminal case No. 3 of 2018, in which the Applicants are accused persons, should not be implemented until the hearing of their Reference pending before this Court; other orders sought are in respect of restraining orders to stop the arrest of the Applicant they are being charged in any court and the reconstitution of any bench of the Constitutional Court of Uganda to re-fix for hearing de-novo (hearing the matter afresh) of the petition No. 3 of 2013, pending delivery of judgment by that Court.
Court after listening to the arguments of the Applicant, in its ruling said that it is not satisfied that the Applicants have made a case to warrant the grant of ex parte order in their favour and consequently declined to do so. Rule 21 (2) grants court discretion to grant ex-parte order if it is satisfied that the delay caused by proceeding the traditional way would entail the irreparable injustices.
Court noted that, it is aware that the Applicant on 8th May 2013, obtained orders in petition No.12 of 2013 by the Constitutional Court in Uganda, in which the Respondent (Government of Uganda) was prohibited from court using the processes of any court, so as to initiate and prosecute the Applicants for any charges arising out of or in connection with the issues forming the subject matter of the criminal case mentioned earlier. The Constitutional Court also ordered that all pending charges and proceedings against the Applicant in the same criminal case No. 3 of 2013 be stayed.
Court further said that, in its view, the above orders issued by the Constitutional Court of Uganda are broad enough to cover the Applicants complains before it at the ex-parte stage and it’s their enforcement that the Applicants should pursue in the interim, rather than seek a re-issuing of the same orders by the EACJ without hearing the Respondent. “We say so guardedly and without in any way making a determinate finding on the merits of the Applicants’ case at the inter-partes stage (all parties in the case) hearing the Respondent” said the Court.
The Court also said that, it does not see irreparable injustice the Applicants may suffer if it does not grant any ex-parte orders, as they are already the beneficiaries of protective orders issued by the Constitutional Court of Uganda.
Counsels for the Applicant appearing were Mr Joseph Kyazze and Fred Mukasa Mbidde, and the ruling was delivered by Honorable Judges Lady Justice Monica Mugenyi (Principal Judge), Justice Isaac Lenaola (Deputy Principal Judge), and Justice Fakihi A .Jundu.
Notice for editors
Rule 21 (2) of EACJ Rules provides that “No motion shall be heard without notice to the parties affected by the application. Provided, however, that the First Instance Division, if satisfied that the delay caused by proceeding in the ordinary way would or might entail irreparable injustice, may hear the motion and make any ex parte order upon such terms as to costs or otherwise, and subject to such undertaking, if any, as the Division deems just.
ENDS
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.
…rallies for industrialization and home-grown solutions as key to region’s development
East African Legislative Assembly, Dodoma, Tanzania: April 24th 2018:
ThePresident of United Republic of Tanzania, H.E. Dr John Pombe Joseph Magufuli this afternoon addressed the 4th Meeting of the 1st Session of EALA.
In his remarks, President John Pombe Joseph Magufuli rallied for the industrialization and infrastructural development of the region – saying it held the key for the transformation of the United Republic of Tanzania and the entire region.
The President said time had come for the region to “think big and beyond parochial issues” and urged the regional Assembly to take a central role in ensuring the full integration and development of the EAC was realized.
President Magufuli who addressed the House in flawless Kiswahili, reiterated his remarks by saying the region was resource rich but that the citizens were yet to benefit from the same and called for removal of barriers, injustices, imminent suspicions and fears of the region. “Let me take the opportunity to make the clarion call to EALA today to rise up to the occasion and be a people’s Assembly that is truly-centred on addressing their problems”, President Magufuli said.
The President further reiterated his country’s commitment to the EAC. “We are totally and fully behind the integration process and we shall fast-track decisions we take for the benefit of the regions”, he remarked.
The President said the EAC must add value to its raw materials. “Look at the Republic of South Sudan, it has loads of Oil. United Republic of Tanzania on its part, has various natural resources, including livestock, forests and minerals among others. We as a region are rich – but we do not feel the trickle-down effect. Why? he pondered! The region should add value by processing raw materials to the end in order to create employment and build stronger, efficient and better economies”, he said.
“Let us seek self-introspection so as to transform the region. Mr Speaker, the EALA is capable of taking the lead here for a win-win situation that will benefit the region. My Government is committed to enhancing industrialization in order to encourage regional investors to invest right here in Tanzania. We need to protect our home industries and tap in to the same for the benefit of the region which has over 170 Million citizens”, he added.
The President further cited infrastructural developments and the revitalization of the energy sector as key ingredients to speeding transformation. “The cost of transport and energy is too high”, lamented President Magufuli, resulting in situations where the costs of travel had scaled up almost four times in comparison to other regions.
According to findings by Power Africa in 2015 results show the region only has 6500MW which cannot entirely support the region’s development. In that regard, the President called for other alternatives to be sought.
“We must reverse the trend and assist the region. I challenge you Mr Speaker and Members to see what you can do. He remarked that natural gas and the rare helium gas were available in Tanzania and said such benefits should for example be spread across the entire region. The President said the alternative energy initiatives would assist boost the national grid adding an additional 2100 MW which would be sold in the region. “As Tanzania, we shall do our part,” he said.
The President hailed and acknowledged the Speaker and Members for making it possible for him to deliver his inaugural speech to the House. “I thank the Speaker for the decision to bring the meeting to Dodoma for the very first time and noted the idea of the rotational principle by EALA would go a long way in creating awareness of the citizens. I welcome you to Dodoma and wish you well, the citizens here are very hospitable,” he remarked.
The President pledged support to the Speaker and the EALA Members and assured them of his unreserved support. The President however remarked that the Assembly was the voice of the citizens of the region at a time when the region was facing progress and surmountable challenges.
The President remarked the region was on the verge of removing all Non-Tariff Barriers to further boost volume of trade. He said the progress in the region included the expansion of Membership (EAC) and called for strengthening of the integration process further. In the regard, President Magufuli appreciated the decision of the House to debate on the East African Monetary Institute Bill, 2017 acknowledging its contribution to the quest for the single currency. The President also acknowledged the decision by the Assembly to visit the Northern and Central corridors, for which the House had already debated.
President Magufuli remarked the region should resolve the conflicts stalling the integration process and implored EALA to contribute to the solutions. “I urge you to critically look into the existing challenges and address the same.
The President rallied for commonalities and unity as exhibited by the Summit and the top echelons of the region. “We need to get to a point where there is unity and oneness. I am impressed by the sitting arrangements in the Assembly today which is devoid of groupings in nationalities” he said. “But this must transcend to the rest of the citizenry,’ he added. The Head of State rallied for unity and remarked that Kiswahili must be appreciated at all times in addition to the local dialects which cut across the region.
The President said Tanzania was equal to the task of completing the expansion of Dar Port and the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) which he stated, would link Tanzania to Burundi and Rwanda as well as to the DRC and Uganda. The country is also looking at the renovation of its maritime and especially the boat infrastructure in the Lake Zone. Let us be project-oriented and seek home grown solutions for the same.
The conditionalities for development partners may not always be suitable. We can do this ourselves”, he saidin reference to the 700.2 Km link of Dodoma to Dar at the cost of 700 Trillion without any development support. “Neither did we receive loans for the purchase of the new airlines. It is thus possible,” President Magufuli stated. The President further cited his country’s uptake of the e-international passport and the ratification of the Peace and Security protocol as true reflection of Tanzania’s commitment to decisions by the bloc
In attendance were key government officials led by the Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania, Rt Hon Majaliwa Kassim Majaliwa, senior officials of Government, Legislators of the Parliament of Tanzania, Dodoma elders, religious leaders and Members of the Diplomatic corps among others.
In his welcome remarks, the Speaker of the EALA, Rt. Hon Ngoga Karoli Martin, noted that the Sitting was taking place at an irreversible time in the regional integration process.
The Speaker remarked that EALA was fully supportive of the call to expedite the establishment of the EAC Monetary Institute and other related institutions as a precursor to the harmonisation of the fiscal and monetary policies revolving around the establishment of the eventual single currency.
“We shall keep forward on our role, of providing the legal framework through legislation and representation to enable operationalization of areas of co-operation agreed upon by our Partner States” Rt Hon Ngoga added.
The Speaker further called for the speedy amendment of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC saying a number of areas needed to be refined or re-defined, to strengthen the incremental approach towards deeper integration.
He reiterated the need to fully incorporate Kiswahili as one of the official languages of the EAC resulting from amendment of the said Treaty.
The Speaker hailed the progress made by the United Republic of Tanzania since H.E Dr Magufuli assumed leadership saying the commissioning of the 1445 km long East African Crude Pipeline from Hoima District in Uganda to the Tanga port in Dar, simply defines the business of the EAC.
“True to your leadership philosophy that prioritizes hard-work and getting things done with emphasis on value for money, in just a few months since its launch, construction of the first phase from Dar Es Salaam to Morogoro is already completed with the second phase of Morogoro-Dodoma section underway.
Rt Hon Ngoga lauded H.E. the President for his steadfast commitment in the fight against corruption. “Yours is a fight for transformation. It is a fight that requires tenacity and resilience. You are the leader with these qualities, determination and ability to lead through challenges and the region is proud of you”, the Speaker said.
Youthful legislator, Hon Dennis Namara passed the vote of thanks on behalf of the Assembly.
EALA which commenced two weeks ago, has since undertaken the following notable business:
Passed the EAC Oaths Bill, 2018
Passed the report of the EAC Central and Northern corridors, institutions Projects and programmes
Various Committees were convened and pertinent matters of the region discussed before they are deliberated in the House.
Undertook an outreach activity at the University of Dodoma, reaching out to students and communities. The Assembly further engaged in an environmental conservation planting close to 1000 trees within Dodoma vicinity.
Undertook representation activities meeting with various stakeholders.
The formal Parliamentary Session is expected to conclude tomorrow (April 25th, 2018). On April 26th, 2018, EALA Members will join the Government and citizens of the United Republic of Tanzania in commemorating the 54th Union Day celebrations at the Jamhuri Stadium.
- ENDS -
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.
EAC Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 24th April, 2018:
A seven-day EAC and INTERPOL joint training workshop on Countering Human and Drug Trafficking in the EAC region is currently underway in Zanzibar, Tanzania.
The main purpose of the Training is to increase knowledge of investigators involved in curbing the two Transnational Organised Crimes (TNOCs) in the region; share experiences on policy and best practices in Partner States on control of Human and Drug trafficking; contribute towards enhancing efficiency of investigators through documenting the changing dynamics in drug and human trafficking in the region, and; identify constraints to the implementation of Anti-Drug/Narcotics and Human Trafficking control measures and draw practical strategies on the way forward.
Several factors have been identified as hindrances to the effective implementation of Anti-Drug and Human Trafficking control measures, namely weak border security, corruption, weak laws and criminal justice systems to address such crimes, limited resources, limited anti-trafficking experience, as well as limited inter-agency cooperation, among others.
The 23rd to 28th April, 2018 training has been convened in an effort to respond to several identified investigative gaps and challenges within the two transnational crime areas for purposes of convergence and harmonization of practices through training.
The EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Political Federation, Mr. Charles Njoroge, said that the EAC was determined to develop strategies that will better facilitate efforts towards countering the two crimes taking into full consideration the changes in the dynamics of the crimes, reflecting a gender dimension in the region and the African continent as a whole.
“Today more women from the region are trafficked than men. Drug barons have also targeted unsuspecting women to be carriers and transporters of narcotic drugs. In some cases, the two crimes are committed jointly and concurrently, whereby the very women transporting narcotic drugs are at the same time being trafficked,” said Mr. Njoroge.
In addition to the two crimes, the EAC is investing in addressing Terrorism, which has continued to affect the region. To this end, the EAC has established the Inter-religious Council, composed of representatives from different Faiths, whose mandate is to address the radicalization of youth in the region and their eventual recruitment into Transnational Crime Organizations operating within the region and beyond.
It is also anticipated that the efforts to address TNOCs will also result in the mitigation an emerging threat in the EAC region - trafficking of illicit goods such as alcoholic beverages, foods and pharmaceuticals. These crimes include the production of the counterfeit products (counterfeiting) in the region, the sale of expired goods as well as the smuggling and use of the region as a transit corridor for such goods.
Notes to Editors
The EAC Secretariat has received funding through the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) Support Programme, to undertake the above training. The training will introduce investigators to the new investigative skills, crime trends, and investigative technologies and also take stock of the existing investigative challenges as compiled from the previous benchmark visits within the EAC Region.
The Training is being organised in line with the Directive of the 3rd Meeting of the Sectoral Council on Interstate Security to respond to the identified investigative gaps and challenges within the two transnational crime areas for purposes of convergence and harmonization of practices through training in the region.
The training involves lectures, group assignments, participatory discussions, presentations, brainstorming and benchmark visits to key Government Anti-Human and Anti-Drug Trafficking Centres including a visit to the International Airport and landing sites in Zanzibar where applicable, as a field trip on systems and procedures pertaining to detection, investigation, and ultimate arrest and prosecution of the two suspects in the two TNOCs.
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.
The Second Meeting of the Technical Steering Committee of the Project on Enhancement of a Sustainable Regional Energy Market in the Eastern Africa-Southern Africa-Indian Ocean (EA-SA-IO) Region takes place in Swakopmund, Namibia, 25 – 26 April 2018.
The project seeks to address market governance and regulatory related challenges affecting the implementation of energy development projects in the Eastern Africa, Southern Africa and Indian Ocean region. It is supported by a seven million euros fund provided under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) for a period of four years since the signing of the grant delegation agreement with COMESA in May 2017.
The Technical Steering Committee meeting will review the status of implementation of the first one year of the project, provide guidance to ensure attainment of the project’s objectives and induct new members of the Project Management Team.
The meeting brings together five Regional Economic Communities: The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) the East African Community (EAC,) Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) and the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC).
Others are the Regional Association of Energy Regulators, Regional Power Pools, Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Centres and the representatives of the European Union Delegations to the three sub-regions.
The COMESA Regional Association of Energy Regulators for Eastern and Southern Africa (RAERESA) coordinates the implementation of the programme.
The programme has three results areas: the first is a regionally harmonized energy regulatory framework adopted by regional and national regulatory institutions, with particular emphasis on cross border issues to encourage investments in the region;
The second is the enhancement of regulatory capacity of the National Regulatory Authorities and strengthening capacity of the Regional Associations (RAERESA, EREA and RERA) and Power Pools (EAPP and SAPP) to proactively influence developments in the energy sector.
Thirdly, the enhancement of the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency strategy, policies and regulatory guidelines to attract investments in clean energy and build capacity in clean energy in the region as well as the domestication on a demand driven basis.
Contacts: Mohamedain Seif Elnasr (Ph. D.). Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
From April 26th to 29th, 100 delegates from 30 States as well as Regional and International organisations will discuss Maritime Security issues and initiatives at a Ministerial conference in Mauritius.
This major event is organized by the Republic of Mauritius, current chair of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) and the Secretary General of IOC, with the support of the European Union (EU) through the Eastern and Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean Maritime Security Programme - MASE.
A meeting of High Officials will be held from 26th to 27th April to prepare the Ministerial Conference which is scheduled for the 28th and 29th April 2018. A Ministerial Declaration with an action plan will be adopted at the end of the meeting.
This document focuses on all the issues of Maritime Security namely cooperation mechanisms, the fight against illegal fishing and maritime traffickings (drugs, human, money laundering), terrorist risk, environmental crimes and marine pollution.
One of the outcome of the Ministerial Conference is the signature of the two regional agreements on the exchange of maritime information and the coordination of operations at sea. These agreements, developed as part of the EU-funded MASE programme, reflect the willingness of the regional States (IOC member States, Djibouti, Kenya, Tanzania and Somalia) to enhance their collaboration to tackle effectively maritime threats and crimes.
The setting up of the two regional centres, one specialized in the exchange and sharing of maritime information in Madagascar and the other one specialized in the coordination of operations at sea, based in Seychelles, are the core subjects of these agreements.
They will be useful instruments for securing the 6 million km2 vast ocean areas of the of the Western Indian Ocean.
Maritime security in the Western Indian Ocean Basin is a major challenge for sustainable development throughout Eastern and Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean (ESA-IO).
The multiplicity of threats, crimes and offenses at sea undermine political stability, economic growth, social progress and the preservation of natural environments and resources. The answer to these challenges, be it piracy, drug trafficking, terrorist threat, illegal fishing or pollution at sea, can only be collective. No Regional States can control the vast EEZ by itself.
The support of the international community is therefore necessary. It is even legitimate in so far as the western Indian Ocean, crossed by international shipping routes, is an area of common interests.
In order to mobilize national, regional and international partners in favour of maritime security and safety, the Indian Ocean Commission, mandated by its extraordinary Council of Ministers in October 2017, is co-organizing together with the Republic of Mauritius with the support of the European Union, a Ministerial Conference on Maritime Security in the Western Indian Ocean from 26 to 29 April 2018 in Mauritius.
This Conference aims at giving a new impetus to concrete collaborations for the long-term security of the vast maritime areas of the ESA-OI region in full compliance with the Conventions and Strategies in force.
East African Legislative Assembly, Dodoma, April 18 2018:
EALA late yesterday extensively debated and passed the East African Community Oaths Bill, 2018 paving way for employees of the Community and persons giving evidence before the East African Court of Justice, the Assembly and related quasi bodies to swear oath of affirmation.
The debate which resumed following its interruption on March 15, 2018, was preceded by the presentation to the House of the Report of the Committee on Legal Rules and Privileges Committee by Chairperson, Hon Fatuma Ndangiza.
At debate, the Assembly stated the Bill lacked provisions for sanctioning individuals who violate the oath or affirmation, lie under oath or disclose pertinent and confidential information and called for the Committee on Legal, Rules and Privileges in consultation with the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers to include the requisite penal provision(s).
The EAC Oaths Bill, 2018 is important to the Community because it legislates for the oaths or affirmation to be taken by people employed by or provides service to the Community, as well as to individuals giving evidence before the East African Court of Justice, the Committee of the East African Legislative Assembly and Quasi-Judicial Bodies of the Community.
According to Article 72 (1) of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community, requires all staff of the Community to pay allegiance to the Community and provides in part that “in the performance of their functions, that staff of the Community shall not seek or receive instruction from any Partner State of from any other authority external to the Community.
The report observes that the laws providing for oaths do not ordinarily provide for sanctions against the breach of the oath or affirmation. Members further observed that penalties for breach of confidentiality or secrecy are usually provided for by either the penal or criminal laws of a jurisdiction or specifically provided for in laws relating to protection of confidentiality or secrecy. The Oaths Bill, 2018 seeks to provide for the obligation to take oaths or affirmation and to prescribe the actual oaths or affirmations. To include sanctions in the Bill would be going into territory that should be the subject of another law on confidentiality”, it adds.
The report notes that until a specific law on confidentiality information or secrecy is developed, there are other laws in the Community and in the Partner States that may be used to punish those that breach confidentiality, including the EAC Staff Rules and Regulations, Rules of Procedure of the East African Court of Justice, the East African Legislative Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act, 2003 and the Rules of Procedure of the East African Legislative Assembly.
In his contribution, Hon. Aden Omar Abdikadir lauded the Committee Members and the House at large for many hours put in getting the specific Bill and said it was a sign of commitment to the work of the Community. Members who rose up in support of the debate were Hon Norru Abdi, Hon. Dr. Abdullah Hasnuu Makame, Hon. Wanjiku Muhia, Hon. Rose Akol Okullu, Hon. Fatuma Ibrahim Ali, Hon. Dr. Francois Xavier Kalinda, and Hon. Gideion Gaptan Thoar.
Others included Hon. Kennedy Mukulia, Hon. Oda Gasinzigwa, Hon. Simon Mbugua Nganga, Hon. Paul Musamali, Hon. Maryam Ussi Yahya, Hon. Josephine Sebastian Lemoyan and Hon. Mathias Kasamba. The House further received contributions from Hon. Mary Mugyenyi, Hon. Dennis Namara, Hon. Gai Deng, Hon. Eng. Mnyaa Mohammed Habib, Hon. Fancy Nkuhi Haji, Hon. Adam Kimbisa and Hon. Christopher Opoka Okumu and the Council of EAC Ministers.
Meanwhile the Rt. Hon. Speaker paid a courtesy call to the Regional Commissioner of Dodoma, Dr. Binilith Mahenge and the Regional Police Commander, Mr Gilles Bilabaye Muroto who both accorded their support to the Assembly.
- ENDS -
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.
