Posted in Press Release
The ongoing migration of people to Europe is evidence that African countries have failed to implement policies that could yield benefits to their citizens.
The East African Community (EAC) Deputy Secretary General (DSG) in charge of Infrastructure and Planning, Dr. Enos Bukuku, said that poverty-stricken refugees were willing to risk their precious lives to cross the Mediterranean and face other risks knowing they could get a better life in Europe.
Dr. Bukuku said the migration provides an opportunity for African leaders, elites and governments to ask themselves pertinent questions on why the continent continues to score poorly on all development indicators.
The DSG said it was ironical that many African countries were at the same level of economic growth with most economies in South East Asia in the 1960s yet the latter had become part of the 20 largest economies in the world even as their African counterparts continue to lag behind in development.
Dr. Bukuku was speaking when he presided over the official opening of the 3rd Stakeholders Meeting on the Sub-Regional Coordination Mechanism (SRCM) for Eastern and Southern Africa at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The main aim of the two-day SRCM is to bring together UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) Sub-Regional Offices, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Inter-Governmental Organisations (IGOs) and UN agencies in order to identify opportunities for joint planning and programme implementation at the sub-regional level and thereby effectively support the work and priorities of the RECs and IGOs in the regions.
Among the RECs and IGOs represented at the meeting are the EAC, Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Indian Ocean Commission. Other organizations with representatives at the meeting are the African Union, United Nations Development Programme, International Labour Organisation, International Organization for Migration, NEPAD, and the Port Management Association for Eastern and Southern Africa.
Speaking at the forum, Mr. Maxwell Mkumba, the SADC Senior Policy Director and Technical Coordinator, on behalf of the SADC Executive Secretary and SRCM outgoing Chair, Dr. Stergomena L. Tax, emphasized the importance of aligning RECs and IGOs key flagship initiatives with the AU Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
“We also need to discuss and agree on effective instruments to strengthen our collaboration, synergies and coherence that are necessary to ensure AU Agenda and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are effectively mainstreamed into the regional and national development plans,” said Mr. Mkumba.
Mr. Mkumba said that the SRCM had recorded significant achievements over the past one year when SADC held the position of Chair and cited the development of the Draft Addendum to the Business Plan and the study on the mapping of the SRCM stakeholders.
“However, we can do better than this if we are able to improve on our joint programming processes, allow for more regular interactions and effective information sharing and communication, as well as well as urgently deal with challenges around resourcing of programme implementation,” he said.
“Peoples of the regions we represent are looking up to initiatives like the SRCM to address development challenges, including poverty eradication. The SRCM should serve as the excellent mechanism for achieving sustainable development,” he added.
In her remarks, the UNECA Deputy Executive Secretary, Ms. Gionvanie Biha, said the SRCM was a relatively new and evolving mechanism that needs to be embraced and nurtured by all stakeholders, most of whom were still on a learning mode.
Ms. Biha urged UN agencies to use the SRCM as a platform for sharing information and knowledge and building on synergies and complementarities to support regional priorities, adding that leadership by RECs was key to the success of the mechanism.
Posted in Press Release
The 7th Inter-Parliamentary Games Tournament kicked off in Mombasa, Kenya with a bang with legislators starting the busy day on a sure footing, winning a good number of the track and field events.
In Athletics, Parliament of Kenya’s Hon Wesley Korir hit the finish in the 400 metres dash beating Parliament of Uganda’s Hon Gota to second place while compatriot, Hon Dr Victor Munyaka scooped third place. In the women’s category, Parliament of Uganda’s Hon Maureen Osoro was the toast of the team beating Hon Christine Ayo while Parliament of Tanzainia’s Hon Esther Matiko who came third.
Hon Maureen Osoro proved too good scooping the 800 Women’s run yet again beating Tanzania’s Hon Esther Matiko. Youthful legislator, Hon Ann Adeke from Uganda came third. In the Men’s category, Hon Wesley Korir, a former Boston Marathon Champion, once gain got his name on the medal chart, crossing the line ahead of former athlete, Hon Julius Acon of Uganda and Hon Kisoi Munyao of Kenya.
Team Kenya also did well scooping the 400 x 1 relay with Hon Dan Wanyama, Hon Kanini Kega, Hon David Ochieng and Senator Isaac Melly starring in the race.
The walking race was also won by Kenya’s Hon Wesley Korir.
In men’s tug of war, Parliament of Uganda were declared champions after beating Kenya 2-1 in a pulsating final. Parliament of Uganda started off well beating Kenya 2 pulls -1 pull and Tanzania 2 pulls to zero to book a date yet with Parliament of Kenya.
Parliament of Kenya on its part were the stronger side beating Parliament of Tanzania, 2 pulls to zero.
In the women’s category, Parliament of Kenya proved to be superior beating Tanzania 2 pulls to zero. However, in the second match, Tanzania beat EALA by two pulls to zero.
Earlier on, the week-long extravaganza was preceded by a Pre-Tournament Conference opened by the Speaker of EALA, Rt Hon Daniel F. Kidega East African Legislative Assembly.
The Speaker reiterated the importance of the Games saying it enhanced inclusiveness and bonding.
“Beyond interface as Parliaments, the Inter-Parliamentary Games further enhance interaction with the citizenry of the Partner States and act as a mode of sensitization by popularizing the Integration process. Sports is key for the integration of the region as enshrined in Article 119 which anticipates the promotion and enhancement of diverse sports activities”, Speaker Kidega noted.
Sport he remarked, similarly plays a vital role in building social inclusion in the region, as an engine of shared experience and empowering citizens to develop friendships. Sporting activities create greater sense of belonging, increase in confidence levels and strengthening of Community capacity.
The Speaker called on the Partner States to promote sports, tourism by investing in more budgets. The theme of the Pre-Tournament Conference; “Uniting East Africans, One People, One Destiny,” was called to enhance bonding ahead of the Games.
Senator of Mombasa, Hassan Omar said sports was key in integration. He said there was need for common identities, justice and common standards including adherence to human rights. He said the integration pillars would only be realized if there was total commitment from all Partner States.
The Governor of Mombasa, Hassan Ali Joho, said there were clear values stipulated in the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC on the reasons for coming together. He said the integration systems needs to be anchored on economic, social and cultural values as well.
“Let us ensure the Community is people-centred and private sector driven”, Governor Joho said.
The Governor called for the fast uptake of Kiswahili as the official language of the Community.
The Chair of the EAC Joint Planning Committee, Hon Saoli Ole Nkanae also addressed the Conference.
Another key presentation was made by the Senior Monitoring Evaluation Officer, Julius Burungi who said significant progress had been made at the EAC, the challenges notwithstanding.
The presenter said all stakeholders need to be involved in the integration of the region. He cited lack of awareness and funding as some of the challenges the Community is facing.
Leaders of the delegations, Hon Bakabulindi Charles, Minister of State for Sports (Uganda), Hon William Ngeleja (Parliament of Tanzania), Hon Kalisa Evariste (Parliament of Rwanda) and Hon Dennis Karera (Burundi National Assembly) addressed the Pre-Tournament Conference.
EALA Member, Hon Abubakar Zein called on the legislators to embrace fair play and discipline as the games proceed. He maintained that there was need for etiquette and adherence to decorum, rules of conduct and courtesy as the games proceed.
Hon Zein said fair play as well as sportsmanship/sportswomanship were key attributes in the entire tournament.
In attendance were representatives of the Kenya Ports Authority and the Aga Khan University.