The Executive Secretary of the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), Prof. Alexandre Lyambabaje calls for universities to take a further step from publications to development of innovative products and policies.
Prof Alexandre was addressing a High Level Dialogue Meeting of Vice-Chancellors, Deputy Vice-Chancellors and Heads of Commissions/Councils for Higher Education and members of East African Higher Education Quality Assurance Network (EAQAN). The meeting was the culmination of the EAQAN Forum which kicked off on Monday 16th May, 2016, followed by EAQAN General Assembly on 18th May. Both events took place at the Imperial Golf View Hotel in Entebbe, Uganda.
The meeting was also attended by participants from Ghana, Ivory Coast and Somalia to learn from East African countries on the development of quality assurance systems in universities.
Prof. Lyambabaje told the participants of the meeting that among the priority areas of the Inter-University Council for East Africa’s coordination is to promote and encourage research within higher learning institutions. He however, expressed that in some cases, it has been realized that some universities are prioritizing the end result of their work as publications which of course go with promotion of staff instead of innovation and products as end results.
He therefore urged universities to view publishing in a different aspect of moving from publications to development of innovative products and policies which will contribute to the development of socio-economic transformation in the East African region.
On the efforts being made in the development of quality assurance systems in East African universities, the Executive Secretary, emphasized the importance of communicating quality assurance matters in a user friendly language to enable its articulation and understanding by diverse stakeholders, among them being policy makers, administrators and ordinary people. He stressed that by making quality assurance issues in higher education understood by stakeholders, contributes into attracting more support and realization of the objectives of interventions which results in more funding from governments, partners and other stakeholders.
“We need also to assess how effectively the developed tools in quality assurance are used in our institutions” said Prof. Lyambabaje citing an example of the current trend where many parents in the East African region are sending their children to study in universities outside East Africa especially abroad. According to Prof. Lyambabaje, there must be a reason for parents doing so.
He therefore called for universities to create confidence in parents and develop higher learning institutions to enable retain students in East African universities. In addition to that Prof Lyambabaje sees the need for streamlining administration so that university teaching staff and professors feel valued and at the end being retained.
On preparation of pre-university students Prof. Lyambabaje compared secondary school leavers as industrial raw materials of universities who need proper preparation. Citing an example of industrial products which involves different processes of production from first stage to the last which is an end product, Prof. Lyambabaje urged the participants to look critically on how prepared are secondary school students which according to him are like raw materials for universities expecting to be processed to the end product which is the labor market.
Commenting on challenges facing public universities whose human resources are shifting to private universities, Prof. Lyambabaje suggested a dialogue between public and privates universities and working out strategies on how to share the best available human resources, since both public and private universities have the same goals of serving the Community.
The Executive Secretary assured the participants that IUCEA will continue setting aside some funds to support staff mobility in universities but he called for the universities and IUCEA to sit together and find out strategies for co-founding the staff mobility programme so that many universities benefit from that initiative.
Informing the participants on the progress made on the Eastern and Southern African Centers of Excellency (ACE II) project, which will serve as an incentive of students mobility within the region Prof. Lyambabaje revealed to the participants that, the World Bank has lend 140 million USD Dollars to Governments to establish Regional Centers of Excellency to the participating countries which are Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania Uganda Zimbabwe and Zambia. Among the 24 established Centers of Excellency 15 are in the East African Partner States of which each country will receive 6 million USD to establish one center.
On benchmarking of study programmes Prof. Lyambabaje told the participants that a number of benchmark of study programmes have been developed while others are underway. However the Executive Secretary observed the need to commit more funds to speed up and complete the process. He informed the participants that IUCEA is working out strategies which will make sure that more funds are committed to develop other programme benchmarks within the shortest time possible and be in use since the completion of that exercise will contribute to the realization of East African Common Higher Education Area.
On supporting of East African innovative ideas Prof. Lyambabaje revealed to the participants that IUCEA is holding its Annual Meeting under the theme “Research and Innovation towards Socio-Economic Transformation of East African Community” where key note presentations and experiences will be shared from Makerere University on Kiira Car Project, Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology on Low Coast Water Filter and M-PESA on growing financial inclusion from Kenya which has proved to be the best tool in transferring money within the East African region and beyond. “How do we support such initiatives” asked Prof Lyambabaje.
In his remarks to the conference, Prof. Opuda-Asibo John, the Executive Director, National Council for Higher Education, Uganda, urged EAQAN to be more effective by going beyond from what it is doing currently and play the role of advising university senates and even present papers which can be discussed at senate levels. He urged QA Committees in universities to promote academic freedom and research and building staff capacity in quality assurance matters. Prof. Opuda observed the need for Senior Professors to support young university staff so that they grow in their fields.
Commending the work done in collaboration with IUCEA, Dr. Helmut Blumbach, the Germany Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Director, Regional Office for Africa, said that DAAD and IUCEA are in the process of signing the Memorandum of Understanding whose thematic areas for future collaboration will include: strengthening partnership and collaboration between industries and universities in curriculum development, training and applied research and internationalization of higher education. At the end of the meeting, Dr. Helmut Blumbach and Prof. Alexandre Lyambabaje signed that Memorandum of Understanding for collaboration in the next five years.
The Forum and Dialogue meeting were organized by IUCEA in collaboration with the National Council for Higher Education, (NCHE), Uganda, the Germany Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Germany Rectors’ Conference (HRK). EAQAN Network was established as an avenue to bring together quality assurance practitioners, top administrators of Higher Education Institutions, Executives members of national accreditation bodies, higher education researchers and policy makers to share ideas on quality assurance practices, challenges and prospects in the East African Higher Education Area.
The Assembly late yesterday debated and hailed the Chairperson of the EAC Summit of Heads of State for the concise exposition of the EAC policy contained in the State of the EAC Address delivered to EALA at the March Session.
At debate, Hon. Shyrose Bhanji termed the speech as enlightening and said it had laid ground on a number of important matters in the integration agenda. The Speech cited the implementation of the Customs Union as key but added that a number of agencies should be able to issue the certificate of origin so that accessibility is realised.
Hon. Abubakar Zein reiterated that it was necessary for the region to contain corruption and remove bad governance in order to realise progress of the EAC. Hon. Mike Sebalu termed disasters as a matter that the region must collectively address.
“There is no soveregnity when it comes to matters concerning disasters”, he said. Hon. Mumbi Ngaru on her part termed sensitisation as fundamental and said there was need for more adequate funding, a sentiment that was echoed by Hon. Bernard Mulengani and Hon. Frederic Ngenzebuhoro as well. On her part, Hon. Judith Pareno said that East Africans continued to face a number of challenges at the borders citing frequent stops by the authorities while Hon. Dora Byamukama called for closer working relations between the Private Sector under the East African Business Council and the Assembly.
The Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania, Rt Hon. Majaliwa, Kassim Majaliwa delivered the State of EAC Address on behalf of the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, and Chair of the Summit of EAC Heads of State, H.E. John Pombe Joseph Magufuli, at the commencement of the 5th Meeting of the 4th Session of the 3rd Assembly in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on March 8th, 2016.
The Speech, gave a score-card on a number of areas related to the pillars of integration.
The Speech highlighted the adoption of the use of One Stop Business Posts (OSBPs) as a trade facilitation concept to minimise delays at the border posts and on the major corridors in the region. The House was informed that out of the 15 borders earmarked to operate as OSBPs, 7 had been completed and 4 others were operating as OSBPs using bilateral agreements.
The Prime Minister remarked that intra-EAC Trade was expected to register phenomenal increase in the next few years."Trade is now at 23%, over and above intra-African Trade figure of 12%. "There has been a 300% increase in the value of trade from 2 Billion USD in 2005 to 6 Billion USD in 2014," Rt. Hon Majaliwa told the House in March.
“These numbers coupled with the combined GDP of 110.3 Billion makes our region a formidable trading bloc", he added.The Chair of the EAC Heads of State Summit urged the region to push for total removal of Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs). "We all admit that we have done well in eliminating tariff related barriers, we must resolve to do away with the remaining ones," the Chairperson of the EAC Summit of Heads of State added, citing the examples of removal of various roadblocks in the region.
On Infrastructure, it was stated that Partner States were actively engaged in the Standard Gauge Railway with Republic of Kenya having completed coverage of about 200 km out of 472 km of formation as of September last year.
On the Common Market, the EAC Chair of Summit gave an account of achievements realised in the Partner States to date. He remarked that Republic of Burundi now recognises the academic qualifications, experiences obtained, licenses and certifications obtained for the workers from other EAC Partner States.
The United Republic of Tanzania on its part, has issued a total of 3,222 simplified Certificates of Origin were issued as at June 2015 as compared to 2,355 certificates issued in 2014. In Kenya, the Prime Minister said development of an SMS based NTBs Reporting System to facilitate reporting and subsequent elimination of NTBs had been initiated.
The Republic of Rwanda, according to the Chair of the Summit, had eliminated all Non-Tariff Barriers and further harmonised demographic and social statistics for undertaking agricultural surveys and census. All the initiatives he added, were geared towards enhancing the Common Market Protocol. In Uganda, the value of goods from other Partner States accorded zero-tariff treatment grew by 9% while 360 EAC standards on traded goods had been adopted and were in application.
Yesterday, Hon. Martin Ngoga remarked that while the policy statements made were positive, there was a mismatch with the bureaucrats in the Partner States paying less attention to implementation of the policy statements.
Hon. Bernard Mulengani, Hon. Christophe Bazivamo, Hon. Patricia Hajabakiga, Hon. Nancy Abisai and Hon. Valerie Nyirahabineza also rose in support of the motion. Others were Hon. Abdullah Mwinyi, Hon. Chris Opoka, Hon. Ussi Maryam, Hon. Mukasa Mbidde and Hon. Dr James Ndahiro.
The State of EAC Address is delivered annually to the EALA by the Chairperson of the EAC Heads of State. The State of EAC Address sets the momentum and impetus for the integration process by reflecting on general policies that relate to the Community's progress while outlining the strategic challenges which require attention.
The novelty of the State of EAC Address dates back to the year 2008 when H.E. President Yoweri Museveni made the first inaugural Address to EALA in Arusha.
The EAC Secretary General, Hon. Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, this afternoon took Oath of Allegiance as an Ex-Officio of the Assembly as the 6th Meeting of the 4th Session commenced in Arusha, Tanzania this afternoon.
Hon. Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko was sworn in by the Clerk to the Assembly in a brief ceremony witnessed by the Speaker and Members of EALA in line with the Rule 5 of the Rules and Procedures of the Assembly. The Rule 5(4) of the Rules of Procedure say in part that: “No Member can sit or participate in the proceedings of the House until the Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance to the Treaty is taken”.
Rule 5(5) specifically states that “when a Member first attends to take his or her seat other than at the first sitting of a new House, he or she shall be brought to the table by two Members and presented by them to the Speaker who shall then administer the Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance”.
Hon. Mfumukeko was ushered in to the House by EALA Members, Hon. Isabelle Ndahayo and Hon. Hafsa Mossi.
Hon. Amb. Mfumukeko was appointed during the February 2016 Summit of EAC Heads of State to replace Hon. Amb. Dr Richard Sezibera. Prior to the appointment as Secretary General, Hon. Mfumukeko was the Deputy Secretary General, Finance and Administration at the EAC.
Hon. Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko has over twenty one years’ work experience in both private and public sector. Prior to joining the EAC, Hon. Amb. Mfumukeko was the Director General of the Burundi Electricity and Water National Company between 2013 to 2015 and President of the Steering Committee of the East African Power Pool. He has served as a Senior Advisor to the President of the Republic of Burundi in charge of Economic Affairs (2012-2013) and as Director General of the Burundi Investment Promotion Authority (2009-2012).
Hon. Amb. Mfumukeko served as an Economic Expert at the United Nations - UNDP and FAO from 2006 to 2009 and also in various companies in the USA and France including Banque Populaire (France), EDF GDF - Electricite de France (France) and American Express, Mobil Oil, FUBU, Karl Kani (USA).
Hon. Amb. Mfumukeko, who is a Doctoral Studies candidate (Doctoral studies in Business Administration - DBA) at Atlantic University holds a BSC and Masters Degree in Economics (Université Francois Rabelais of Tours - France), and an MBA from Clark University in the USA. He has attended several training programs in Change Management and International Business at Harvard University and at the MIT in USA.
The Ambassador of Belgium to the United Republic of Tanzania, and also accredited to the EAC bloc, H.E. Paul Cartier , today paid a courtesy call to Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, the Secretary General of the East African Community.The Secretary General and his guest discussed among other things the possible areas of cooperation especially in the area of Education and Energy.
During their discussions Amb. Mfumukeko briefed the Belgium Envoy the proposed reforms at the EAC Secretariat geared towards cost cutting. The EAC Chief disclosed to H.E. Paul Cartier that he has been consulting with the key various EAC stakeholders on how to minimise costs at the Secretariat. Amb Mfumukeko pledged to make an official statement at the meeting with key Development Partners on the 7th of June, 2016 in Dar es Salaam.
In his part H.E. Paul Cartier congratulated Amb. Mfumukeko for his appointment and noted the impressive progress in the EAC integration process.
Commenting on the progress of the dialogue process for Burundi Peace Talks currently being held in Arusha, the Belgium Envoy hailed the Facilitator of the Inter-Burundi Dialogue former President of United Republic of Tanzania, H.E. Benjamini Mkapa for being able to mobilise a large number of representative to attend the dialogue . At least 83 delegates have turned up representing various stakeholders in Burundi.
The Ambassador however expressed concerns about the negative publicity of the event in some of the media channels in the region. Both Secretary General and the Ambassador were in agreement with the clarion call by the Facilitator for renouncing the violence in Burundi.
The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) holds its sitting in Arusha, Tanzania, next week. The Sixth Meeting of the Fourth Session of the Third Assembly takes place from Monday, May 23, 2016 to Friday, June 3, 2016.
The Assembly is to be presided over by the Speaker, Rt Hon. Daniel F. Kidega. Top on the agenda during the two week period is the EAC Budget Speech which is expected to be delivered on Thursday, May 26th, 2016, by the Chair of the Council of Ministers, Hon. Dr Augustine Mahiga. The Assembly is then expected to debate and approve the Budget as part of its mandate.
The Budget Speech is a key activity of the EAC calendar. Last year, EALA debated and approved EAC Budget estimates for the Financial Year 2015/2016 totaling to US$ 110, 660,098.
The 2015/2016 Budget prioritised on the operationalisation of the Single Customs Territory, enhanced implementation of the EAC Common Market Protocol with particular focus on implementation of the new generation EAC internationalised e-Passports and development of the EAC trading, payments and settlements systems.
Also top on the agenda during the two week period is a Special Sitting to be addressed by the Partner States’ Independence former First Ladies, Their Excellences, Mama Ngina Kenyatta (Kenya), Mama Miria Obote (Uganda) and Mama Maria Nyerere (United Republic of Tanzania).
The Special Sitting on May 31st, 2016, presents a unique opportunity for the Members to interact and to share experiences with the distinguished former first ladies’ given that EAC as is constituted today, borrows a number of best practices from the first bloc.
Debate on the recent State of EAC Address, is also on the menu. On March 8th, 2016, The Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania, Rt Hon Kassim Majaliwa delivered the State of EAC Address to EALA at the 5th Meeting of the 4th Session in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.
The Prime Minister informed the House that progress had been realised following the entry of the Single Customs Territory. He remarked that finalization of key operational instruments, revision of business manuals, development of M&E tool framework, deployment of staff and revision of an enforcement framework had opened the path for the operationalisation of the SCT in the Partner States.
Two key Bills on the cards at the EALA meeting are the EAC Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Bill, 2015 and the EAC Supplementary Appropriation Bill, 2016.
The object of PWD Bill, 2015 is to provide a comprehensive legal framework for the protection of the rights of persons with disability in the Community. The Bill is premised under the provisions of Article 120 (c) of the EAC Treaty under which, Partner States closely co-operate amongst themselves in the field of social welfare with respect to the development and adoption of a common approach towards disadvantaged and marginalized groups. Such groups include children, the youth, the elderly and persons with disability through rehabilitation and provision of among others, foster homes, healthcare, education and training.
The House is also expected to receive and to debate on a number of Committee reports. On the other side, its Committees shall hold consultative meetings with the EAC Council of Ministers. The Communications, Trade and Investments Committee has a date with the EAC Council of Ministers to review the EAC Sectional Properties Bill, 2016 and the EA Customs Management (Amendment Act) 2016.
On its part, the General Purpose Committee will consult with the Council on the Supplementary Budget Bill and the PWD Bill respectively, prior to tabling of both Bills in the House.
The Inter-Burundi Dialogue resumed today at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC) in Arusha, Tanzania under the leadership of H.E. Benjamin Mkapa, the Facilitator of the process.
The Inter-Burundi Dialogue is being attended by various stakeholders including Former Heads of State, the National Commission for Inter-Burundi Dialogue (CNDI), all Political Parties registered in Burundi, Civil Society Organizations, Faith-based Groups, prominent Political Actors inside and outside Burundi, as well as Women and Youth groups.
The Dialogue is also being attended by representatives of the Diplomatic Community in Tanzania; UN Security Council; African Union, EAC Partner State Governments, and; the EAC Secretariat.
The 4-day Inter-Burundi Dialogue will include closed door consultation sessions between the Facilitator and the diverse stakeholders.
Opening the Dialogue, Former President of the United Republis of Tanzania, H.E. Benjamin Mkapa urged all the Parties to the conflict to renounce violence and seek a peaceful solution to the conflict.
“We are all aware that this is a Burundi problem and it can be solved only by the Barundi themselves. My role is only to facilitate the Barundi to dialogue and reach an amicable solution. My plan in this endeavour is to give ample time and space to all stakeholders to express their views on the way forward,” said the facilitator.
The Former President hailed the support to the process by United Nations, the African Union and the international community which support he added had ensured the smooth running of the Inter-Burundi Dialogue.
He urged all stakeholders to support the process so that Burundi returns to normalcy and peace.
He urged the people of Burundi to embrace a democratic culture as they have done over the past 10 years in addition to strengthening democracy in the country.
Speaking at the function, EAC Secretary General, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko said it was the Community’s hope that the process would bring all Burundians to a common understanding that will result in peace, democracy and prosperity in the country.
In his remarks, Amb. Jamal Benomaar, representing UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, said that only a genuine and inclusive dialogue could enable Burundian stakeholders to find a way of the current crisis facing the country.
Amb. Benomaar reaffirmed the UN Security Council’s full support to the EAC-led mediation effort under the leadership of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.
Addressing the delegates, AU Representative Amb. Ibrahima Fall noted that Burundi had witnessed a cycle of peace and violence, adding that the dialogue was an opportunity for the country to put an end to the cycle.
Amb. Roeland Van de Geer, Head of the EU Delegation to Tanzania, on behalf of the Diplomatic Community in Tanzania, said peace in Burundi was important not just for the East African region but the world as a whole.
The Inter-Burundi Dialogue is scheduled to take place from 21st to 24th May 2016 at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC).
The Media will be allowed only at the official opening and closing ceremonies. Journalists seeking to cover the event should email: a scanned copy of their press card; recent passport size photograph, and/or; copy of passport for accreditation purposes to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., CC: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Accreditation of Local and International Journalists intending to cover ONLY the official opening ceremony of the Dialogue on Saturday 21st May 2016, will commence on Friday 20th May 2016 at 14.00hrs in Room 541, 5th Floor, Kilimanjaro Wing of the Arusha International Conference Centre.
Kindly avail yourself in person with your valid Press Card and/or Passport (for non-Tanzanian nationals) to facilitate the accreditation process. Please present yourself physically even if you have emailed your particulars to the EAC Media Centre.
The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the United Republic of Tanzania, and also accredited to the EAC bloc, H.E. Egon Kochanke, today paid a courtesy call on Mr Liberat Mfumukeko, the Secretary General of the East African Community.
The Secretary General and his guest discussed a wide range of issues geared towards deepening cooperation between Germany and the East African Community.
Speaking during the discussion, the EAC Secretary General , Mr Liberat Mfumukeko, thanked the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany for its support to the EAC spanning the years since the re-establishment of the Cooperation between the three founding EAC Partner States to the present, when the Community has expanded to include the republics of Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan.
"We have truly benefited from the German support which has catalyzed other Development Partners to support our projects and programmes”
Burundi Peace Process
On the Burundi peace process, the EAC Secretary General , Mr Liberat Mfumukeko briefed H.E Egon Kochanke that Burundi has made substantial progress in establishing and maintaining peace and stability. He noted that attainment of peace and stability in Burundi amounts to peace and stability in the entire region, adding that regional and international stakeholders should actively engage in the attainment of these objectives.
South Sudan Accession to EAC
The EAC Secretary General informed the Germany Ambassador that South Sudan has been given six months to complete the ratification process of the Accession Treaty signed on 15th April 2016, after which the country will be a full member of the EAC.
On his part, H.E. Egon Kochanke congratulated Mr. Mfumukeko for his appointment and noted the impressive progress in the EAC integration process and re-affirmed to the Secretary General his country’s continued support to the EAC Projects and programs. "We are very happy with our relationship with EAC and I am looking forward to a strong partnership in the development of the regional bloc", asserted the Germany Ambassador.
Present at the meeting were the EAC Deputy Secretaries General in charge Planning and Infrastructure, Dr Enos Bukuku, and that of Political Federation, Mr Charles Njoroge, and other officials from the EAC Secretariat.
The Second Annual Conference on Leiden-East African Community (LEAC) Law was held yesterday as part of the annual commemoration of the Europe Day at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. The conference themed: ‘From Rules to Reality’ was graced by Amb. Roeland van de Geer, the European Union (EU) Ambassador to the United Republic of Tanzania and to the EAC.
The Second Annual LEAC Conference was organised with the support of the EAC, the EU delegation to Tanzania, the East African Court of Justice and Europa Institute of Leiden Law School. It brought together judges, academicians, legal practitioners, business people and government and EAC officials to discuss the importance and opportunities for building a legal community to support and inspire East African integration including the steps needed to create a thriving legal community for the EAC, and how the community can work towards realising the set out objectives for the bloc and its citizens.
Addressing the gathering, Amb. Roeland van de Geer commended the leadership at the EAC Headquarters for hosting the event on behalf of the EU and pointed out that it was now a consolidated tradition for the EU and the EAC to organise, on the occasion of the EU Day, a conference on an important topic in the framework of EU’s support to the regional integration. “This year we chose to celebrate the launch of a textbook titled; EAC Law, Institutional, Substantive and Comparative EU Law Aspects”, the EU envoy affirmed.
On behalf of the EAC Secretary General Mr Liberat Mfumukeko, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Planning and Infrastructure, Dr. Enos Bukuku, hailed the EU for its valuable support and contribution to the EAC integration agenda affirming that; “Indeed, EU’s support in EAC’s programmes, activities and projects has made a significant impact on the integration agenda. He said EAC had benefited from exchange of knowledge and best practices from the EU, apart from the financial support. “We count on continued support from the EU as well as on exchange of information and experiences on integration.”
Dr Bukuku appreciated the efforts of the editors of the textbook on EAC Law which was launched at the event. The textbook is co-authored by Hon. Justice Dr Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, the Judge President of the East African Court of Justice; Prof. John Eudes Ruhangisa, Judge of the High Court of Tanzania and former Registrar of EACJ; Dr. Armin Cuyvers, Assistant Professor of EU Law at Leiden University and Co-Chair of the Leiden Centre for East African Law and Prof. Tom Ottervanger, Proffessor of EU Law at Leiden University and founder of the Leiden Centre for East African Law. Prof. Tom presented the first comprehensive textbook on EAC law to Dr Bukuku, who received it on behalf of the EAC Secretary General.
At the same occasion, Hon. Justice Dr Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, the Judge President of the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) applauded the relationship EAC has fostered with the EU, stating that “EAC greatly values the strategic operations of the EU and upholds it as one of its very committed development partners”. “This book is result of a unique collaboration between the East African Court of Justice, the Leiden Centre for East African Law and an exclusive selection of EAC law experts in the different EAC Partner States.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. John Eudes Ruhangisa reflected on the main concerns of legal practitioners across the region and emphasised the need for Partner States to draw a line between supra-nationalism and inter-governmentalism as stipulated in the EAC Treaty.
”It is clear that the law within EAC takes precedence over national laws and hence Partner States should not use their sovereignty to derail the integration agenda”. The former and founder registrar of EACJ also identified different articles within the EAC Treaty that are in contradiction and urged Members of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) to make both necessary and sufficient amendments to the EAC Treaty to avoid further misconceptions.
Among the panelists during the discussions were the Chair; Dr. Armin Cuyvers, Prof. Kennedy Gastorn (University of Dar Es Salaam Law School), Leonard Obura Aloo (Lecturer at University of Nairobi), Dr. Khotic C. Kamanga (University of Dar Es Salaam Law School) and Dr. Elvis Mbembe Binda (Lecturer at University of Rwanda).
Discussions centred on the essential questions on the creation of a legal community, the political commitment of the Partner States to the education of the next generation of EAC citizens, among others.
Other participants in attendance included university students mainly pursuing law within the EAC region as well as representatives from Civil Society Organisations, EAC Youth Ambassadors, and the East African Law Society.
The East African Community Secretariat, within the broad mandate of the Secretariat as prescribed under Article 71 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community, intends to publish an East African Community Law Journal (Law Journal). Interested authors, willing to engage in discourses on East African Community law and able to abide with the following guidelines, are invited to submit scholarly manuscripts for consideration.
