EAC SECRETARY GENERAL BRIEFS PRESIDENT KENYATTA ON UPCOMING EAC EXTRA-ORDINARY SUMMIT

The East African Community Secretary General Ambassador Dr. Richard Sezibera met His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta of the Republic of Kenya at State House in Nairobi Monday 22 April 2013.

The Secretary General congratulated him on his victory in the recently concluded presidential elections and thanked him and the people of Kenya for the exemplary manner in which the elections were conducted.

The Secretary General also briefed President Kenyatta on the upcoming EAC Extra-Ordinary Summit in Arusha, Tanzania, on 28 April 2013, which will be the first to be attended by the new Kenyan President.

Amb. Sezibera took the opportunity to exchange views on the status of the EAC integration and efforts to deepen and widen it.

Kenya’s President expressed his commitment to the integration as a key commitment of his administration, especially the need to promote free movement of people and labor as well as the   elimination of Non-Tariff Barriers in East Africa, among others.

President Kenyatta also shared East Africa’s critical desire for improved common infrastructure and a vibrant East African economy.

 HE. President Uhuru Kenyatta with EAC Secretary General Amb. Richard Sezibera at State House Nairobi, Kenya

PARLIAMENTARIANS FROM UGANDA CALL ON THE EALA SPEAKER

The EALA Speaker, Rt. Hon. Dr Margaret Nantongo Zziwa yesterday met a delegation of Parliamentarians from Uganda on the sidelines of the EALA Sitting in Kigali, Rwanda.

The legislators who are Members of the Committee of the East African Community Affairs in the Parliament of Uganda, were in Kigali on a one week tour to familiarise themselves with the activities of EALA and on the oversight activities of the Committees of EALA.

In her remarks, the Speaker called on the National Assemblies in the Partner States to work towards instituting mechanisms that shall see the respective Parliaments and Parliamentarians effectively debate regional integration matters in the House.

“I challenge Parliamentarians to go “regional in mind and thought”. In fact, they need not only debate more on the EAC, but likewise, they should lead the process of trickling the regional integration message to their constituents”, the Speaker noted.

At the same time, the Hon. Speaker urged National Assemblies to set up Parliamentary Committees charged with EAC affairs that shall scrutinize reports and keep their Assemblies abreast of the happenings in the region.

‘At the moment, only the Parliament of Uganda has a specific and stand-alone Committee on EAC matters while in other Assemblies, EAC matters are handled within other Committees.   I know other Partner States are cognisant of the need and I encourage them to move to create stand- alone Committees’ the Speaker reiterated.

On her part, the Chairperson of the EAC Committee, Hon Sarah Mwebaza hailed EALA for the progress it had realized and the process so far engaged in to enthuse integration. Hon Mwebaza urged the Partner States to harness their diversities and unlock the free spirit so that the region can integrate faster, noting that other parts of the Continent and the rest of the world were keen on developments happening in East Africa.

In attendance were Hon Auru Anne, Hon Ssali Baker, Hon Sseninde Nansubuga Rosemary, Hon Oulanya Gilbert and Principal Clerk Assistant, Martha Kaganzi.

The Committee also held discussions with the Secretary General of the EAC, Amb. Dr Richard Sezibera.   The deliberations delved on strengthening regional integration.  The Secretary General told the Parliamentarians the EAC remained committed to key priorities citing removal of NTBs, challenges of border communities and introduction of One-Stop Border Posts as areas that needed interventions.

EALA Member, Hon Mike Sebalu hailed the visit of the Members and noted that such tours would enhance linkages between EALA and the National Assemblies.  

He maintained that communications between National Assemblies and EALA was vital and provided for under the Treaty for the Establishment for the EAC. Article 65 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community succinctly recognises the need to foster co-operation between the Assembly (EALA) and the National Assemblies of the Partner States.

 Rt. Hon Speaker, Dr. Margaret Nantongo Zziwa presents a copy of the EALA Newsletter to the Members of Parliament from Uganda

26TH EXTRA-ORDINARY MEETING OF EAC  COUNCIL  OF MINISTERS TO BE HELD NEXT WEEK

The 26^th meeting of the EAC Extra-Ordinary Council of Ministers will on Monday, April 22, 2013  to Thursday, April 25, 2013 hold its sitting in Arusha, Tanzania.

The 26^th meeting of the EAC Extra Ordinary Council of Ministers will be conducted through the session of Senior Officials 22-23 April 2013; the session of the Co-ordination Committee i.e. Permanent Secretaries 24 April 2013; and climax with the Ministerial session on Thursday 25 April 2013.

The High level decision making policy organ of the Community will be expected to consider among other; recommendations on the appointment of one new Deputy Secretary General from the Republic of Kenya; proposal to establish the Bureau of Speakers as an organ of the East African Community and a progress report on the implementation  of the directive of the Summit on extension of the jurisdiction of the East African Court of Justice.

In addition, the meeting will consider progress report on the negotiations of the Protocol on the establishment of the East African Community Monetary Union and  the report of the Finance and Administration Committee.

The 26^th Extra-Ordinary Council of Ministers meeting will be followed by the 11^th Extra-Ordinary Summit of EAC Heads of State on 28 April 2013 also in Arusha ,Tanzania