STATEMENT BY THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY, AMB. LIBERAT MFUMUKEKO ON THE UNTIMELY DEATH OF HON. HAFSA MOSSI, MEMBER OF EALA ON JULY 13th, 2016
It is with great shock that I have received the sad news of the tragic and untimely death of Hon. Hafsa Mossi, Chairperson of the EALA Chapter, Burundi and Chairperson of the EALA Women Caucus and Former Minister in the Office of the President Responsible for EAC Affairs in the Republic of Burundi.
On behalf of the East African Community and on my own behalf, I convey my heartfelt condolences to: the bereaved family, relatives, friends and colleagues of the late Hon. Hafsa Mossi; the Government, and; the people of Burundi.
We mourn the passing of a great daughter of Burundi and a towering figure of our time who has left an indelible imprint on the history of Burundi.
Indeed, the late Hon. Hafsa Mossi played a big role in deepening the EAC integration and development process right from the time she was appointed as Minister in the Office of the President Responsible for EAC Affairs in 2007, through to the time she served as a Member of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) and the Chairperson of the Burundi EALA Chapter, and Chairperson of the EALA Women Caucus.
The Late Hon. Hafsa will particularly be remembered, for among other things, effectively steering Burundi’s negotiation of the EAC Common Market Protocol that was signed in November 2009 and entered into force in July 2010. Indeed, the free movement of people, services, labour and capital being enjoyed today in the Community is part of Hon. Hafsa‘s contributions to the welfare of the people of East Africa.
She contributed passionately on various integration issues during EALA sittings both as a Member of the EAC Council of Ministers and a Member of the Assembly.
Hon. Mossi will also be remembered for her commitment to the ongoing efforts to bring about lasting peace and stability to the Republic of Burundi. Her untimely demise should serve as a call to Burundians to pursue non-violent means to peace.
The entire East African Community and I share with the bereaved family and the Government and people of Burundi, the feelings of great loss at this moment of deep sorrow.
MAY THE ALMIGHTY GOD REST HER SOUL IN ETERNAL PEACE
Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko
SECRETARY GENERAL