A High Level Dialogue between the officials of the East African Community and the Development Partners concluded on 6th December 2016, in Dar es salaam, Tanzania, with the Development Partners commending the Secretary General of the East African Community, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko for his outstanding work and commitment in enhancing efficiency of EAC processes and procedures through introduction of reforms.
At the dialogue, held at the official residence of the Norwegian Ambassador to United Republic of Tanzania, H.E. Hanne-Marie Kaarstad, the Development Partners expressed renewed confidence in EAC with UK, Canada, France and Turkey committing to resume contributions to the EAC through the Partnership Fund in the next financial year.
The Secretary General was accompanied by Hon. Christophe Bavizamo, Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sectors; Hon. Jesca Eriyo, the Deputy Secretary General in charge of Finance and Administration; and other Senior Officers from the EAC Secretariat.
Prior to the dialogue, the Secretary General met and held discussions with H.E. Hanne-Marie Kaarstad, the Norwegian Ambassador, who is also the Chair of the Partnership Fund High Level Committee. Their discussions revolved around the future of the Partnership Fund including the succession of the Partnership Fund Chairmanship and recruitment of a dedicated Manager for the Fund. She expressed her appreciation for the outstanding work the Secretary General had exhibited since he took over the leadership of the Community. H.E. Hanne-Marie has been the Chair of the Committee for the last 3 years and will be completing her term on 31st December 2016.
On the same day, the Secretary General held a series of meetings with several Development Partners in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, to update them on the regional integration agenda and discuss possibilities of further collaboration.
EAC – EU cooperation
The Secretary General met the Head of European Delegation to United Republic of Tanzania, H.E. Amb. Roeland van de Geer to discuss the EAC – EU cooperation, specifically the implementation of Euro 85 Million allocated under EDF 11.
EAC-Turkish Cooperation
The Secretary General met H.E. Yasemin Eralp, the Turkish Ambassador to the United Republic of Tanzania. During the meeting, the Secretary General urged the Turkish government to consider identifying areas of potential cooperation with EAC. The Turkish Ambassador on her part expressed her Government’s interest to contribute to the Partnership Fund, and collaborate with EAC in areas of Trade, Investment, and Agriculture.
EAC- Germany Cooperation
The Secretary General and H.E. Egon Kochanke, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the United Republic of Tanzania, signed a EURO 7 Million with the Federal Republic of Germany to support Pandemic Preparedness in the EAC Region and the establishment of an Academic Center for Digital Innovation in East Africa. This is the second Agreement between EAC and the Government of Germany this financial year. On 23rd November EAC signed a EURO 40 Million agreement with the Federal Republic of Germany and KfW Development Bank to support immunization programmes in the EAC and operations of the Regional Laboratory Network for Communicable Diseases.
EAC-China Cooperation
The Secretary General, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko met the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Tanzania, H.E. Dr. Lu Youqing. During the meeting, the Secretary General appreciated the contribution by the Chinese Government to the ongoing Inter-Burundi Dialogue. He acknowledged receipt of US$ 200,000 in the EAC Secretariat’s accounts as support to the Office of the Facilitator of the Inter-Burundi Dialogue. The Chinese Ambassador reiterated his Government’s commitment to supporting EAC in the investment, Industry and Environment and Wildlife Conservation. The People’s Republic of China also expressed interest to enter into a unilateral Free Trade Area Agreement with EAC and it was ready to commence discussions with the EAC towards this end.
The Federal Republic of Germany and the East African Community (EAC) on Tuesday, December 6th, 2016, signed a Government Agreement of 7 million euros. The Secretary-General of the East African Community Ambassador Liberat Mfumukeko signed on behalf of the Community while His Excellency Egon Kochanke, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the United Republic of Tanzania and also accredited to the East African Community signed on behalf the Germany Government.
3 million euros in technical assistance will be invested in strengthening the pandemic preparedness of the region. The project will support the operationalization of the EAC Regional Contingency Plan and a regional risk and crisis communication strategy.
4 million euros in technical assistance will be invested in an Academic Center for Digital Innovation. The project will support the set-up of a State of the Art Master programme focusing on embedded and mobile systems at an East African University, supporting the development of a skilled labor force in East Africa.
The projects will be implemented by the GIZ, the German International Cooperation Agency.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, the EAC Secretary General, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, thanked the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany for its support to the EAC.
‘’We have truly benefited from the German support which has catalysed other development Partners to support our projects and programmes,” said Amb. Mfumukeko.
H.E. Egon Kochanke, Ambassador said: “Our support underlines that Germany wishes to further strengthen the long-standing and deep relationship it maintains with the East African Community in order to contribute to the well-being and prosperity of its citizens”.
Accompanying Ambassador Kochanke was the Country Director of GIZ, Dr. Regine Qualmannand, the Deputy Head of the GIZ Program at the EAC Dr. Kirsten Focken as well as Councellor of the Embassy, Mrs Lena Thiede. Others at the function were EAC Deputy Secretary General Finance and Administration, Hon Jesca Eriyo and Deputy Secretary Productive and Social Sector Hon. Christophe Bazivamo.
Since cooperation began in 1998 the total volume of German support to the EAC amounts to over 240 million euro.
GIZ is providing services worldwide in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development. GIZ has over 17,000 staff in over 130 countries, headquarters are in Bonn and Eschborn/ Germany.
The ongoing migration of people to Europe is evidence that African countries have failed to implement policies that could yield benefits to their citizens.
The East African Community (EAC) Deputy Secretary General (DSG) in charge of Infrastructure and Planning, Dr. Enos Bukuku, said that poverty-stricken refugees were willing to risk their precious lives to cross the Mediterranean and face other risks knowing they could get a better life in Europe.
Dr. Bukuku said the migration provides an opportunity for African leaders, elites and governments to ask themselves pertinent questions on why the continent continues to score poorly on all development indicators.
The DSG said it was ironical that many African countries were at the same level of economic growth with most economies in South East Asia in the 1960s yet the latter had become part of the 20 largest economies in the world even as their African counterparts continue to lag behind in development.
Dr. Bukuku was speaking when he presided over the official opening of the 3rd Stakeholders Meeting on the Sub-Regional Coordination Mechanism (SRCM) for Eastern and Southern Africa at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The main aim of the two-day SRCM is to bring together UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) Sub-Regional Offices, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Inter-Governmental Organisations (IGOs) and UN agencies in order to identify opportunities for joint planning and programme implementation at the sub-regional level and thereby effectively support the work and priorities of the RECs and IGOs in the regions.
Among the RECs and IGOs represented at the meeting are the EAC, Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Indian Ocean Commission. Other organizations with representatives at the meeting are the African Union, United Nations Development Programme, International Labour Organisation, International Organization for Migration, NEPAD, and the Port Management Association for Eastern and Southern Africa.
Speaking at the forum, Mr. Maxwell Mkumba, the SADC Senior Policy Director and Technical Coordinator, on behalf of the SADC Executive Secretary and SRCM outgoing Chair, Dr. Stergomena L. Tax, emphasized the importance of aligning RECs and IGOs key flagship initiatives with the AU Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
“We also need to discuss and agree on effective instruments to strengthen our collaboration, synergies and coherence that are necessary to ensure AU Agenda and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are effectively mainstreamed into the regional and national development plans,” said Mr. Mkumba.
Mr. Mkumba said that the SRCM had recorded significant achievements over the past one year when SADC held the position of Chair and cited the development of the Draft Addendum to the Business Plan and the study on the mapping of the SRCM stakeholders.
“However, we can do better than this if we are able to improve on our joint programming processes, allow for more regular interactions and effective information sharing and communication, as well as well as urgently deal with challenges around resourcing of programme implementation,” he said.
“Peoples of the regions we represent are looking up to initiatives like the SRCM to address development challenges, including poverty eradication. The SRCM should serve as the excellent mechanism for achieving sustainable development,” he added.
In her remarks, the UNECA Deputy Executive Secretary, Ms. Gionvanie Biha, said the SRCM was a relatively new and evolving mechanism that needs to be embraced and nurtured by all stakeholders, most of whom were still on a learning mode.
Ms. Biha urged UN agencies to use the SRCM as a platform for sharing information and knowledge and building on synergies and complementarities to support regional priorities, adding that leadership by RECs was key to the success of the mechanism.
The 7th Inter-Parliamentary Games Tournament kicked off in Mombasa, Kenya with a bang with legislators starting the busy day on a sure footing, winning a good number of the track and field events.
In Athletics, Parliament of Kenya’s Hon Wesley Korir hit the finish in the 400 metres dash beating Parliament of Uganda’s Hon Gota to second place while compatriot, Hon Dr Victor Munyaka scooped third place. In the women’s category, Parliament of Uganda’s Hon Maureen Osoro was the toast of the team beating Hon Christine Ayo while Parliament of Tanzainia’s Hon Esther Matiko who came third.
Hon Maureen Osoro proved too good scooping the 800 Women’s run yet again beating Tanzania’s Hon Esther Matiko. Youthful legislator, Hon Ann Adeke from Uganda came third. In the Men’s category, Hon Wesley Korir, a former Boston Marathon Champion, once gain got his name on the medal chart, crossing the line ahead of former athlete, Hon Julius Acon of Uganda and Hon Kisoi Munyao of Kenya.
Team Kenya also did well scooping the 400 x 1 relay with Hon Dan Wanyama, Hon Kanini Kega, Hon David Ochieng and Senator Isaac Melly starring in the race.
The walking race was also won by Kenya’s Hon Wesley Korir.
In men’s tug of war, Parliament of Uganda were declared champions after beating Kenya 2-1 in a pulsating final. Parliament of Uganda started off well beating Kenya 2 pulls -1 pull and Tanzania 2 pulls to zero to book a date yet with Parliament of Kenya.
Parliament of Kenya on its part were the stronger side beating Parliament of Tanzania, 2 pulls to zero.
In the women’s category, Parliament of Kenya proved to be superior beating Tanzania 2 pulls to zero. However, in the second match, Tanzania beat EALA by two pulls to zero.
Earlier on, the week-long extravaganza was preceded by a Pre-Tournament Conference opened by the Speaker of EALA, Rt Hon Daniel F. Kidega East African Legislative Assembly.
The Speaker reiterated the importance of the Games saying it enhanced inclusiveness and bonding.
“Beyond interface as Parliaments, the Inter-Parliamentary Games further enhance interaction with the citizenry of the Partner States and act as a mode of sensitization by popularizing the Integration process. Sports is key for the integration of the region as enshrined in Article 119 which anticipates the promotion and enhancement of diverse sports activities”, Speaker Kidega noted.
Sport he remarked, similarly plays a vital role in building social inclusion in the region, as an engine of shared experience and empowering citizens to develop friendships. Sporting activities create greater sense of belonging, increase in confidence levels and strengthening of Community capacity.
The Speaker called on the Partner States to promote sports, tourism by investing in more budgets. The theme of the Pre-Tournament Conference; “Uniting East Africans, One People, One Destiny,” was called to enhance bonding ahead of the Games.
Senator of Mombasa, Hassan Omar said sports was key in integration. He said there was need for common identities, justice and common standards including adherence to human rights. He said the integration pillars would only be realized if there was total commitment from all Partner States.
The Governor of Mombasa, Hassan Ali Joho, said there were clear values stipulated in the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC on the reasons for coming together. He said the integration systems needs to be anchored on economic, social and cultural values as well.
“Let us ensure the Community is people-centred and private sector driven”, Governor Joho said.
The Governor called for the fast uptake of Kiswahili as the official language of the Community.
The Chair of the EAC Joint Planning Committee, Hon Saoli Ole Nkanae also addressed the Conference.
Another key presentation was made by the Senior Monitoring Evaluation Officer, Julius Burungi who said significant progress had been made at the EAC, the challenges notwithstanding.
The presenter said all stakeholders need to be involved in the integration of the region. He cited lack of awareness and funding as some of the challenges the Community is facing.
Leaders of the delegations, Hon Bakabulindi Charles, Minister of State for Sports (Uganda), Hon William Ngeleja (Parliament of Tanzania), Hon Kalisa Evariste (Parliament of Rwanda) and Hon Dennis Karera (Burundi National Assembly) addressed the Pre-Tournament Conference.
EALA Member, Hon Abubakar Zein called on the legislators to embrace fair play and discipline as the games proceed. He maintained that there was need for etiquette and adherence to decorum, rules of conduct and courtesy as the games proceed.
Hon Zein said fair play as well as sportsmanship/sportswomanship were key attributes in the entire tournament.
In attendance were representatives of the Kenya Ports Authority and the Aga Khan University.
The Italian Government has appointed Counsellor Roberto Mengoni as Italy’s Permanent Representative to the East African Community.
The Envoy (Roberto Mengoni), who is also the Italian Ambassador to the United Republic of Tanzania, presented his letter of accreditation signed by the Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Paolo Gentiloni, to the EAC Secretary General, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, today at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
Welcoming Amb. Mengoni to the EAC Headquarters, the Secretary General commended the Italian Government and people for showing interest in furthering the existing cooperation between Italy and the Community.
Amb. Mfumukeko briefed the Envoy on the key millstones recorded in integration process and pledged to link up the envoy with the the East African Business Council through which Italian investors could explore available opportunities.
On his part, Amb. Mengoni commended the EAC Secretariat for spearheading the integration agenda and highlighted a few areas that the Italian Government was interested in supporting the EAC, especially the Renewable Energy sector. He disclosed that his government was pushing for a policy change on Africa that will see a more robust engagement with the continent and the EAC.
Amb. Mfumukekeko and his guest also discussed also the status of negotiations of the EAC-EU Economic Partnership Agreement and the Inter-Burundi dialogue. With regard to the Inter-Burundi Dialogue, Amb. Mengoni hailed the efforts of the Facilitator, H.E. Benjamin Mkapa, and the EAC Secretariat in spearheading the process and called upon all the parties and stakeholders to give peace a chance in Burundi.
Also present at the ceremony was the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sectors, Hon. Christophe Bazivamo.
The French Ambassador to Tanzania and the East African Community, Ms. Malika Berak, has called on all parties in the Inter-Burundi Dialogue to engage constructively and consensually in the forthcoming consultations to be held in Bujumbura, Burundi.
In a press statement issued today and copied to the EAC Secretariat, Amb. Berak said that only a political solution would enable Burundi to achieve a peaceful exit from the crisis.
“We reiterate our full support for the continuation of sessions on Inter-Burundi Dialogue, within the framework of the mandate given to it by the East African Community,” said the envoy.
Amb. Berak further hailed the determination and commitment H.E. Benjamin William Mkapa, the former Tanzania President who is also the Facilitator of the Inter-Burundi Dialogue.
In a press statement issued by his office on December 1st, 2016 H.E. Mkapa disclosed that a roadmap for the Burundi Dialogue process was developed and presented to the Mediator, H.E. President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda on November 2nd, 2016. The roadmap provides for a series of engagements between December 2016 and June 2017 that will culminate in an agreement.
H.E. Mkapa said that in implementing the roadmap, will in due course be visiting the Republic of Burundi to confer with H.E. President Pierre Nkurunziza and also consult with other political players, adding that this would lay the ground for a series of both formal and informal engagements with and among various stakeholders, in and outside Burundi and also with international actors.
The Facilitator observed that since his appeal in May 2016 to Parties to the Conflict to desist from violent acts and give dialogue a chance, there has been a noticeable improvement on the security situation in Burundi.
H.E. Mkapa said he would continue to urge all Parties to adhere to a non-violent approach to solving the political crisis, adding that the improved security situation in the country had been acknowledged by the international community.
“It is important that as this process proceeds, and for which the Barundi and the EAC citizens will continue to be briefed on the progress, all parties should strive to avoid actions and utterances that are not helpful to the healing process and remain seized of the commitment to a political process,” said the Facilitator.
The East African Legislative Assembly, Thursday, held a one-day Inter-Parliamentary Relations Seminar on the theme: “Poverty and Good Governance” in Nairobi.
The Speaker of the Kenya National Assembly, Rt Hon Justin Muturi opened the Seminar, often referred to as the Nanyuki Series, saying that, poverty, inequality and governance were inseparably related.
“Without good governance, bad policy choices will be made, the people would neither have voice nor power and the economy may likely deteriorate,” Rt Hon Muturi said.
The Speaker reiterated that poverty and inequality weakens the political processes and promotes deficient governments. He reiterated the importance of good governance, saying it ensures the participation of the poor in decisions that affect them and empowers them to get their views on the policy agenda.
“This gives voice to the people in the policy processes especially on poverty issues, it is a necessary and progressive step in an attempt to promote and sustain growth development and socio-economic transformation”
The Inter-Parliamentary relations Seminar was attended by Parliamentarians from the Parliament of Burundi, Parliament of Rwanda, Parliament of Kenya, Parliament of Uganda and the East African Legislative Assembly. Apologies were received from the Parliament of Tanzania.
In his remarks, the Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly, Rt. Hon Daniel F. Kidega, remarked that for the region to prosper, it was necessary to reduce poverty and create more opportunities.
Accordingly, 7 out of the 10 persons you see walking out there in the streets are jobless, while another 6 out of 10 live in informal settlements. The largest population, the youth, constitute about 8 out of 10 persons and their age range is below 30 years.
The inflows in terms of Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) also rose from $2.6 Billion in 2013 to $ 4 Billion in 2014. The value of total intra-EAC trade rose from USD 1.8 Billion in 2004 to USD 5.1 Billion Dollars in 2015 representing a significant growth of 190 percent.
“The economic boom seems not to have translated in equal measures with income generation and employment opportunities. Poverty seems to be on the increase in the region with the gap between the rich and the poor widening. The concentration of wealth has remained largely unchanged over the years”, Rt Hon Kidega said.
He remarked that unemployment was a key factor often leading to increased crime, radicalization and terrorism and cited insecurity as one of the issues further compounds the misery of inequalities.
“We could be setting ourselves up for failure should we fail to mop up weapons and silence the guns in some of the Partner States in the region. Peace and security duly enables citizens to enjoy their freedoms and are a panacea to development”, he said.
The EALA Speaker called on Parliaments to unite in a bid to contain the challenges been caused by poverty.“I want to emphasise building a united front devoid of political affiliations in the struggle to contain poverty. I say so candidly because poverty and impoverishment can take advantage of conditions of exclusion, injustice, unresponsive leadership to further depress the wretched populace. Poverty does not delineate who supports Government or who is sponsored by Opposition in Parliament,” he added.
The representative of European Parliamentarians with Africa, Lord David Chigdey reiterated the collaboration between AWEPA and EALA and said the organization remained committed to the partnership.
“AWEPA highly values the close partnership we have built with the EALA since 2002, one year after EALA’s inauguration. Our cooperation has been built on trust and mutual respect. As a result, we continue to be able to jointly run successful programs that benefit East Africa’s citizens”, Lord Chigdey said.
He cited some of the areas of collaboration as hat including the arena of sustainable development goals.Lord Chigdey reiterated AWEPA’s belief in the notion that strong Parliaments at the national and regional levels lie at the heart of Africa’s long-term development, and thus at the heart of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Delivering the key note address, Prof Augustus Nuwagaba termed inclusive growth as a key roadmap to sustainable peace and prosperity.
While making recommendations, the Seminar called on the EAC Heads of State to re-assess the economic policies and make them conducive to empowering citizens to participate fully in economic, political and social affairs. They further want increased co-operation in the exchange of ideas on how to design policies and strategies that success stories in Africa and abroad have used to reduce poverty within short period.
The Seminar further tasks Members and the National Parliaments to increase cohesion in Parliaments and develop frameworks that support inter-party collaboration and collective action. In addition, it is important to enhance public hearings in order to support more participation, accountability and transparency. The issue of building trust is essential with the participants calling on the institution of Parliament to find ways of enhancing trust.
EALA in particular is been called up on to stem the tide of recurrent conflicts which have negatively contributed to poverty cycles in the East African Community Member States.
“It is important to increase awareness and sensitization efforts to mobilize support for East Africa Community affairs and regional integration”, a section of the report says.
Further, the need to broaden the outlook of the impact of poverty on crime, terrorism and radicalization and adopt common regional strategies for addressing factors that fuel such problems are key in stemming poverty and inequality.
On their part, East African political parties were called upon to assess linkages with voters and increase citizen participation in their activities. The participants want the parties to do away with elite capture and become more accountable to their members and the grassroots. This is a way of increasing professionalization and reducing the personalization or ethnicization of leadership.
The East African Community signed the International Energy Charter (IEC) on 25th November 2016 during the 27th Meeting of the International Energy Charter Conference and Ministerial Meeting held on 25th – 26th November 2016 in Tokyo, Japan.
The EAC Deputy Secretary General (Productive and Social Sectors), Hon. Christophe Bazivamo signed the Charter on behalf of the EAC. Other organizations and countries that signed the Charter at the same occasion included Economic Community of Central African Countries (ECCAS), the Permanent Secretariat of the G5 Sahel, Guatemala, Iraq and Iran. By signing the IEC, the EAC joined 73 other countries and organizations that have signed the Charter including four EAC Partner States namely Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.
The IEC is a political declaration aimed at strengthening energy cooperation among signatory countries and international organizations. Signatories to the IEC commit to create favorable investment environment in the energy sector including the participation of the private sector. The IEC fosters development of energy resources, energy markets, unrestricted transit and distribution of energy resources, products and services.
The signing of the IEC by the EAC and four other signatories was one of the highlights of the 27th Meeting of the International Energy Charter Conference and Ministerial Meeting hosted by the Japan as the current Chairman under the theme “Relevance of the International Energy Charter to Global Challenges: its potential contributions to sustainable development and global efforts on climate change”.
The meeting issued the Tokyo Declaration on the Energy Charter, which highlighted the following issues: contribution of the Energy Charter to the Energy Sector; Challenges and Opportunities posed by the changing Global Energy Landscape and Energy Charter’s role in providing better investment climate for the Energy Sector.
As way forward, through the Tokyo Declaration expressed the members decision to enhance and support energy resource development and investment protection framework; adding new impetus to energy security and crises prevention; raise awareness of Energy Charter’s goals and values with particular emphasis to regions where demand is expected to increase; and enhance efforts to develop energy markets, free transit and distribution of energy resources, products and services.
In his address to the Ministerial session, the EAC Deputy Secretary General (Productive and Social Sectors), Hon. Christophe Bazivamo noted that the signing of the Energy Charter was an expression of EAC’s commitment to develop the energy sector in a responsible and sustainable manner embracing best practice in cooperation with other members of the Energy Charter.
He outlined EAC’s projects and programmes aimed at provision of sufficient, reliable, affordable and sustainable region. Noting that the EAC is continuously working on improving the existing favorable investment climate, the EAC official called upon developed members of the Charter to invest in the EAC’s energy sector to raise levels of energy access and help EAC attain its commitments to global targets under the Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) and UN Sustainable Development Goals. In light of these commitments, the Deputy Secretary General challenged the meeting to consider declaring access to energy as a human right.
On the sidelines of the meeting, the Deputy Secretary General (DSG) held several bilateral meetings. He held discussions with the Japanese Ambassador responsible for Regional Economic Communities, Amb. Fujita; the Secretary General of the Energy Charter and Georgia’s Minister for Energy.
During his meeting with Amb. Fujita, Hon. Bazivamo outlined the integration progress made by the EAC and highlighted Japanese contribution to the process especially in infrastructure and energy development.
He applauded Japan for choosing to host the first TICAD conference outside Japan in East Africa in August 2016 in Nairobi. On his part, Amb. Fujita expressed Japan’s commitment to continue supporting the EAC both at regional and national levels.
He disclosed that during TICAD IV, many Japanese companies expressed interest to invest in East Africa and that over seventy MoUs were signed in that regard. However, he noted that investment by the Japanese companies in the region would be greatly enhanced if Investment Agreements and Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreements were signed between Japan and the EAC Partner States.
While meeting the Secretary General of the Energy Charter, Dr. Urban Rausnak, Hon. Bazivamo discussed ways the EAC could benefit from the Energy Charter. The Deputy Secretary General invited the Energy Charter to organize one of the outreach programmes in the region as it would also help to raise awareness on the Energy Charter and how membership to the IEC can help the region to access opportunities for mobilization of resources for increasing energy access and private investment in the energy sector in the EAC.
The Deputy Secretary General also held a bilateral meeting with Georgia’s Minister for Energy who shared his country’s experience in the development of small hydropower and extended an invitation to the EAC to visit Georgia to draw lessons on small hydropower development. Hon. Bazivamo welcomed the invitation noting that EAC is endowed with small hydropower potential that is currently not fully tapped.
Consultation meetings were also held with the delegations from the EAC Partner States participating in the meeting which included Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. Rwanda and Tanzania were represented by their respective Ambassadors to Japan, while Uganda was represented by the Minister for Energy and Mineral Development, Hon. Irene Muloni.
The Secretary General of the East African Community, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko hosted over the weekend Machakos County Commissioner, Hon. Matilda Sakwa and 7 Deputy County Commissioners, who paid him a courtesy call in his office at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. Present at the courtesy call were Hon. Justice Aaron Ringera (Republic of Kenya) of the Appellate Division of the East African Court of Justice and Hon. Peter Mathuki, a Member of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).
Welcoming his guests to the EAC Headquarters, Amb. Mfumukeko commended the Commissioners for the visit saying; “regular interaction with officials from local governments was part of my agenda during the next five years in order to make our integration a people-centred one”.
The Secretary General briefed his guests on the progress being made in the regional integration pillars and emphasized the great potential that the East African region is yet to realize, stating that; “We need to cultivate a sense of confidence and patriotism amongst the citizens within this region. To realize our potential, we need to strengthen our local economies in order for us to have a competitive advantage globally.”
In addition, Amb. Mfumukeko highlighted the key priorities, which he coined, the 5 Ms during his leadership thus; More Food Security, More Employment (job creation for the youth), More Health Care, More Knowledge and Technology, and More Peace and Security, as well as Industrial Development.
On her part, the leader of the delegation, Hon. Matilda Sakwa, commended the Secretary General for his commitment to the regional integration agenda and stated that Machakos County officials were keenly following developments within the Community’s integration pillars. Hon. Sakwa acknowledged that the Commissioners would be Ambassadors of the EAC in their respective capacities at the grass-root level back in Machakos County; Kenya.
At the same occasion, Hon. Peter Mathuki urged the Community to focus on building East Africa for the benefit of the people by Partner States’ channelling their resources and investing within the region.” We should put the interests of the Community first by maintaining and promoting peace and security throughout the region for Partner States to fully integrate”, affirmed the EALA Member.
The Danish Ambassador to the United Republic of Tanzania and EAC, His Excellence Einar H. Jensen today paid a courtesy call on the Secretary General of the East African Community, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko in his office at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The two officials discussed a wide range of issues geared towards taking forward and realizing the noble objective of “people-centred” regional integration. They conferred on issues pertaining to strengthening bilateral relations between EAC and Denmark; Danish support to regional integration initiatives; status of EPA negotiations; Burundi peace process; and the steps EAC was taking to strengthen operations of the Partnership Fund.
Welcoming his guest to the EAC Headquarters, the Secretary General noted the strong bond that exist between the Danish people and the East African Community. He also briefed the Danish Envoy on the reforms instituted at the EAC Organs and Institutions meant to cut on cost and improve performance, which were already showing some positive results. The Secretary General hailed the Development Partners for their growing confidence in the regional integration efforts and the EAC leadership.
On his part, His Excellence Einar H. Jensen reiterated the importance of the EAC in furthering regional integration efforts and re-affirmed the commitment of Denmark to the MoU signed between Denmark and EAC in August 2016, in which Denmark will provide additional Danish Krone (DKK) 7 million to support the regional integration agenda.
Amb. Jensen noted that long term development of each EAC economy was influenced by the success of the regional integration efforts and that individual EAC economies were too small to compete effectively in international markets.
“To sustain higher growth, they need to expand, specialize and integrate to achieve economies of scale”, reiterated Amb. Jensen, adding that “the integration process supports deregulation, harmonization of rules and regulations and reduction of non-tariff barriers. This reduces trade costs which will benefit EAC businesses as well as Danish businesses with an interest in the region”.
The Danish Envoy noted that restrictions still remain on the free movement of goods, persons, labour, capital, and services in the region and there was need for stronger coordination and cooperation between the Partner States on economic, trade and industrial policies. “EAC institutions are becoming stronger and need to be further developed, as well as substantial investments in infrastructure are needed to sustain the integration agenda”, said Amb. Jensen.
