EALA passes resolution to mark International day of Democracy

The East African Community (EAC) is expected to recognize and to mark the International Day of Democracy on September 15, annually, following a Resolution on the floor of the House this afternoon.

The Assembly has through the motion moved by Hon Hafsa Mossi, urged the EAC Partner States to institutionalize the day while enhancing public awareness creation on how people can make their voices heard in the process of legislation or decision making.  It is expected that Partner States shall henceforth further undertake joint actions in the celebration of the day.

The International Day of Democracy is celebrated annually in line with the 2007 UN Resolution A/62/7.   According to the Resolution moved today, the promotion of democracy is necessary and desirable for the efficient implementation of the provisions of the Treaty in accordance with Article 131 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC.

Rising in support of the motion were Hon ShyRose Bhanji who remarked that 35 African countries had so far subscribed to the African Peer Review Mechanism. She commended the governments in the Partner States for opening up the ‘political space’ through increased numbers of private media and political parties among others. Others were Hon Abubakar Zein, Hon Nancy Abisai, Hon Mukasa Mbidde and Hon Leonce Ndarubagiye.

The Members rallied in unison for the need for democracy and rule of law to prevail, freedom of speech with regards to the integration process, representative systems of governance with separation of powers and respect for ethnic, religious and cultural diversities. They want the African countries to ratify the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Good Governance.

At the moment according to Hon Mukasa Mbidde, only Rwanda has signed and ratified the instrument.  Kenya, Uganda and Burundi have all signed but are yet to ratify the Protocol while the United Republic of Tanzania is yet to sign the instrument.

Hon Leonce Ndarubagiye however hit out at the west who he said, had only started practicing and preaching democracy when they had already developed.  “It is time for home-grown democratic solutions to our problems”, he remarked.

With the adoption of the Resolution, the EALA is also expected to enhance its role in awareness creation on democracy. The Chair of the Council of Ministers Hon Shem Bageine supported the Resolution and said it was important for citizens to have the right to elect their rulers regularly and enjoy freedom to write and speak.

A number of questions were also sought by Members and answered by the Chair of Council of Ministers, Hon Shem Bageine.

                    EAC calls for promotion of Kiswahili as lingua franca for the region

EALA is urging the Council of Ministers to promote Kiswahili language as the lingua franca of the Community as per Article 131 of the EAC Treaty so that it may uphold East Africanness as an entity.  

The Assembly is also calling for the establishment of a mechanism for reaching out to the people of East Africa as well as to promote and espouse the fundamental principles of the Community. The recommendations sum up the Report of the Nanyuki (VII) Seminar (Inter-Parliamentary Relations seminar) which was tabled and adopted by the House today.  

The Report presented to the House by Hon Abdul Karim Harelimana was a culmination of a two day series held in Entebbe, Uganda on June 10-11, 2013. The Report further identified specific roles for specific stakeholders including academia, media and civil society as well as the Private Sector, Gender and Youth.  The theme of the Nanyuki VII was “Promoting a People-Centred and Market driven East Africa – the Missing Link in the EAC integration”

The June Seminar which was also addressed by President Yoweri Museveni further tasked the Council of Ministers to consider developing regional youth centres, exchange programmes and entrepreneurship to promote the youth agenda in the region.

During debate today, Hon Mike Sebalu remarked that the Nanyuki VII series was unique giving Parliamentarians, state and non-state actors an opportunity to positively engage on matters of integration.

“The meeting was an expression of what East Africa is all about and we should follow the recommendations in spirit and letter”, he maintained.  

He further called for free movement of labour and cited the need to teach Kiswahili across the region as key.  “Madam Speaker, it would be a good idea to have teachers from the United Republic of Tanzania crossing to Uganda to teach”, he stated.

The Chair of Council, Hon Shem Bageine noted that the Council would step up its work-culture in directing the affairs of the EAC.  “Previously, we have been rather bureaucratic with little time in looking at issues.  However, we shall begin sitting in Arusha every quarter to look at critical issues”, he said.   The Minister noted that there shall be shared responsibilities with each Minister taking charge of specific sectors. 

“In this regard, the Council shall also look at the recommendations of the Nanyuki VII report to assess the status of the same”, the Minister noted. He remarked that Kiswahili was already enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda and that it was necessary to popularise it.  “We hope soon, Kiswahili would be introduced in schools in Uganda to bolster its popularity”.

Hon Dora Byamukama urged the EAC to pay more attention to the development of policies and the mechanisms that address Female Genital Mutilation and other issues affecting marginalized groups such as women.

Hon Maryam Ussi Yahya noted that more advocacy problems were needed to reach out to the populace.  “However, there is very limited funding for sensitization and this should be scaled up”, she added.

Hon Isabelle Ndahayo reiterated the need to effectively address matters of the agricultural sector with respect to the Maputo Declaration. (the Declaration urges Member Countries who penned their signatures to set aside ten percent of their national budgets for agriculture).

Hon Valerie Nyirahabineza emphasized the need to implement bills passed by EALA.  She however added that it was necessary to develop a roadmap enabling the harmonization of laws in a similar manner and fashion and in line with operationalisation of Article 65 of the EAC Treaty.

The report was also supported by Hon ShyRose Bhanji, Hon Susan Nakawukki, Hon Dr Odette Nyiramilimo, Hon Valerie Nyirahabineza, Hon Taslima Twaha and Hon Leonce Ndarubagiye. 

The Assembly further granted leave to the Chair of the EALA Legal Rules Privileges Committee, Hon Dora Byamukama to introduce a Private Members Bill entitled The East African Community Cross Border Legal Practice Bill, 2013.

Hon Byamukama informed the House that the object of the Bill was to promote cross-border practice and to facilitate free movement of professional legal services.   “If enacted, such a Bill would further pave the way for other professionals to benefit from the tenets of the Common Market Protocol”, the legislator added. 

Hon. Shem Bageine, Chair, Council of Ministers answer questions from Members of the August House during the EALA 2nd  Meeting in Burundi National Assembly.