Press Release

Regional Stakeholder Workshop on EAC Regional Policy for Intellectual Property (IP) set for 25th September 2018 in Nairobi, Kenya

Posted in Press Release

East African Science and Technology Commission, Kigali, 24th September 2018:  The East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO) is a semi-autonomous institution of the East African Community (EAC) that was established by the fifth Extra-Ordinary Summit of the EAC Heads of State on 18th June 2007, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Treaty on the Establishment of the EAC to promote cooperation in the development of science and technology. EASTECO’s overall objective is to promote and coordinate the development, management and application of science and technology to support regional integration and socioeconomic development.

Intellectual Property (IP) policy generally seeks to strengthen institutional, national and regional abilities to generate and commercially exploit economically valuable IP assets. The ultimate goal of a sound IP policy is to provide short, medium and long-term plans and guidelines that enable stakeholders effectively work together towards identifying, creating, protecting and commercially exploiting research results, innovations and creative works. IP protection, notably Industrial Property protection also provides a foundation for cooperation between universities, R&D institutions and industry, and promotes the transfer of technologies to productive and creative sectors.

The role of IP in stimulating socio-economic development is globally acknowledged with IP assets contributing significantly to National Gross Development Product (GDP) in developed countries. IP protection promotes innovation and affects commerce throughout the economy by providing incentives to invent. It is noteworthy that once acquired, IP assets spur higher quality research leading to enhanced invention, innovation and creative capabilities; encourage technology transfer, development and adaptation (typically through adaptation of public domain technologies); attract foreign direct investments (FDIs); trigger exploitation of traditional knowledge (TK), traditional cultural expressions (TCEs) and genetic resources.

The EAC IP policy will seek to provide a comprehensive framework for effective IP management, as relates to ensuring IP legislation, regulations, practices and strategies in the EAC region support and facilitate the achievement of Partner States, National Visions and Development Plans, as well as the overarching EAC Vision 2050. The overall objective of the EAC Regional IP Policy is to create a dynamic, vibrant and balanced IP system in EAC partner states. The policy will aim to establish an EAC IP system that can stimulate and drive innovation and creativity.

The purpose of this stakeholders meeting is to validate the draft East African Regional Intellectual Property Policy that will facilitate the harmonization of intellectual property rights across the region. This regional event will also provide a platform and opportunity for participative and constructive dialogue, networking and partnerships between stakeholders in the Science, Technology and Innovation Community.

The expected outputs of the regional stakeholders meeting is draft EAC Regional IP Policy validated and with stakeholders’ recommendation for its improvement

The workshop will gather about 65 stakeholders’ representative from EAC Partner States including National Commission/Council for Science and Technology; Ministries responsible for Science, Technology and Innovation; National Departments responsible for Intellectual Property in EAC Partner States; Universities/Academia; National Research Institutions; Private Business and Civil Society sector and Development Partners (UNESCO and UNECA).

The EAC IP Policy development process has been participatory and included national level consultations in all EAC Partner States.

After this consultative process the reviewed draft Regional Policies will be submitted to the EASTECO Governing Board for adoption before consideration and approval by the EAC Council of Ministers.

For more information please contact: 

The Executive Secretary,
The East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO),
2nd Floor Telecom House, Kacyiru,
KIGALI – RWANDA.
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Court disallows Application seeking to hear a case challenging the Union of Tanzania, in Zanzibar

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East African Court of Justice, Arusha, 19th September, 2018: The First Instance Division of the East African Court of Justice has disallowed Application No. 7 of 2018, seeking Court to hear a matter challenging the legality of the Union of the Tanzania, in Zanzibar. The Application which was filed by 40,000 citizens of Zanzibar has as respondents the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, the Chief Secretary of the Revolutionary Council of Zanzibar and the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania.

The Court, in its ruling said that, it is neither necessary nor desirable to direct that the proceedings in Reference No. 9 of 2016 or any other proceedings attendant thereto be held in Zanzibar as sought by the Applicants. The Court further said that, it shall deliver the reasons therefore upon notice to the parties. Rule 68 of the EACJ Rules of Procedure permits the Court to deliver its decision and not the reasons thereof at the close of a hearing.

The Court further directed that, given the nature of the issues therein, that the case and any attendant Applications arising there from, be placed before the Court forthwith for its expeditious disposal.

Before the Court delivered the ruling, the Applicant’s agent prayed to Court that, it is in the interest of the Applicants to attend the proceedings of their Case since majority are residents of Zanzibar, regardless of their financial abilities. The Applicant’s agent also argued that, because the matter is a public interest matter and therefore it is in the interest of justice that it is heard in Zanzibar. 

However, the government of Tanzania represented by Counsel Mark Mulwambo, challenged the Application saying that the Applicants have no sufficient reasons for the matter to be heard in Zanzibar and asked the Court to dismiss the Application.

On 2nd November 2016, the Applicants filed the case EACJ challenging the legality, legitimacy and continued existence of the Union which created the United Republic of Tanzania, and the majority of the Applicants are residents in Zanzibar and that it may not be practical for them to attend court in the event that the matter proceed in Arusha.

The Court has discretion under Rule 116 of its Rules of Procedure to direct that all or part of the Court’s proceedings in any case be held at a place other than the Seat of the Court, should it deem such course of action desirable. 

The matter came before their Lordships of the First Instance Division Hon. Justices Monica Mugenyi, the Principal Judge, Dr Faustin Ntezilyayo, the Deputy Principal Judge, Justice Fakihi A. Jundu, Justice Dr Charles O. Nyawello and Justice Charles Nyachae.

ENDS

For more information, please contact:

Yufnalis Okubo
Registrar
East African Court of Justice
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255 27 2162149
mail: Okubo [at] eachq.org
www.eacj.org

About the East African Court of Justice:

The East African Court of Justice (EACJ or ‘the Court’), is one of the organs of the East African Community established under Article 9 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community. Established in November 2001, the Court’s major responsibility is to ensure the adherence to law in the interpretation and application of and compliance with the EAC Treaty.

Arusha is the temporary seat of the Court until the Summit determines its permanent seat. The Court’s sub-registries are located in the respective National Courts in the Partner States.

Assembly commences its sitting in Arusha next week

Posted in Press Release

East African Legislative Assembly, Arusha, September 12, 2018: The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) resumes its Sitting in Arusha, Tanzania, next week. The Assembly convenes for the First Meeting of its Second Session which runs from September 16th, 2018 until October 6th, 2018.

Key items at the Sitting include the debate on the East African Community Statistics Bill, 2017 and the East African Community Customs Management (Amendment Bill) (No 2), 2017.

The EAC Statistics Bureau Bill, 2017, seeks to establish the Statistics Bureau as an Institution of the Community under Article 9 of the Treaty and Article 21 of the Protocol on Establishment of the EAC Monetary Union.   The Bill provides for the functions, powers, governance and its funding with a view to establishing the institution responsible for statistics in a bid to support the East African Monetary Union.

The Bill is in line with Article 21 (c ) of the Protocol on the Establishment of the EAC Monetary Union which provides for the Summit, on the recommendation of the EAC Council of Ministers to establish an institution responsible for statistics as one of the institutions to back the EAC Monetary Union.

The EAC Customs Management (Amendment) (No 2) Bill, 2018, is intended to provide for customs administration to receive advance information regarding the goods being moved across national border(s) ahead of the arrival of the vessels carrying the goods.  In order to facilitate this, the Assembly anticipates to amend section 24 of the previous EAC Customs Management Act to require a master or agent of a vessel to provide advance information relating to consignment in the vessel.   The Bill was introduced to the House by the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers, Rt Hon Dr Ali-Haji Kirunda Kivejinja during the Plenary in Nairobi in May 2018.

Both Bills sailed through the First Reading and were committed to the Committee on Communication, Trade and Investment (CTI), which is carrying out the public hearings this week in Arusha.

Other significant issues at the forthcoming Plenary are key meetings of the legislators with the EAC Executive.

The EAC Council of Ministers and the Secretary General are expected to interact with the Committee on Accounts on the EAC Audited Accounts for the Financial Year ending 30th June, 2017. A similar meeting with the Committee of Trade and Investment shall also be held to enable the Committee and the Secretary General to deliberate on the EAC Customs Management (Amendment) (No 2) Bill, 2018 and the EAC Statistics Bureau Bill, 2017.

The Sitting is also to be interspersed in Week 1 by rigorous Committee work as well as further induction for Members largely on audited accounts and the EAC Budget processes and framework.  The whole House will also meet with the International Committee of the Red Cross at a seminar that shall deliberate on small arms and light weapons.

The Assembly which holds six Plenary Sessions in every Financial Year, has a principle of rotation. Its last sitting was in Nairobi in May-June 2018 while the last time it met in Arusha was on March 5-23, 2018, for the Third Meeting of the First Session of the 4th Assembly.

- ENDS -

For more information, please contact:

Bobi Odiko
Senior Public Relations Officer
East African Legislative Assembly
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255-27-2508240
Fax: +255-27-2503103
Cell: +255-787-870945, +254-733-718036
Email: BOdiko [at] eachq.org
Web: www.eala.org

About the East African Legislative Assembly:
The East African Legislative Assembly is the Legislative Organ of the East African Community. Its Membership consists of a total of 62, of whom 54 are elected Members (9 from each Partner State) and eight ex-officio members (the Ministers responsible for EAC Affairs from the Partner States, the Secretary General of the Community and the Counsel to the Community).

The East African Legislative Assembly has legislative functions as well as oversight of all East African Community matters.  The enactment of legislation of the Community is put in effect by means of Bills passed by the Assembly and assented to by the Heads of State, and every Bill that has been duly passed and assented to become an Act of the Community and takes precedent over similar legislations in the Partner States.  EALA has to date passed 79 pieces of legislation.

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