Posted in Press Release
From the 2nd to the 4th of November 2016, the French Embassy to Tanzania, in cooperation with the East African Community (EAC), and with the support of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development, is organising a regional seminar on “East African Community: Exchanging and Trading with the Francophone World” at the EAC headquarters in Arusha.
This seminar was launched on the morning of Wednesday the 2nd of November by H.E. Mrs Malika Berak, Ambassador of France to Tanzania and H.E. Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, EAC Secretary General.
The aim of this seminar is to raise awareness on the added value of multilingualism and, more specifically, of knowing French for trade and exchanges at regional, continental and international levels.
As stated by the Ambassador of France to Tanzania during the opening, “French is a language spoken in East Africa, a “neighbourhood” language, a language of business. Multilingualism is a major asset to be promoted to the youth. Cross border activities are very important within the EAC as well as with its neighbouring countries. The development of these activities includes the ability to share one or several regional languages and the ability to speak one of the continental languages.”
During his opening speech, the Secretary General of the EAC underlined the following message “We as a regional body need to be open to different languages as we expand in addition to the current languages recognised by the Treaty, that is, English and Kiswahili. The 15th Ordinary Summit of EAC Heads of States requested the EAC Secretariat to look into the possibility of including French as a working language of the Community. In addition to this, a recent assessment by the European Union also recommended that EAC should develop modalities of including the use of French especially when advertising for tenders within the region to provide for the Francophone Partners States.”
This seminar unites representatives of the EAC and of the French Embassies in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania, the EAC business council Director General, Lilian Awinja, as well as representatives of the African Union Commission and of the International Organisation for Francophonie. In addition, academics from different universities of the region (University of Nairobi, Makarere University, Open University of Tanzania, University of Burund) are also present. The Head of the Education Cooperation unit, Mrs. Odile Cobacho, is representing the French MFA. On the economic side, multiple companies are contributing to the round tables and the discussions, more specifically on tourism and hospitality.
This regional seminar ends on November 4th. All participants will return get back to their respective countries with relevant tools and advocacy material to contribute to the promotion of multilingualism and of the French language within EAC and the African Union.
Posted in Press Release
EALA this week commenced the third round of sensitization in the Partner States with legislators targeting various stakeholders in outreach.
The sensitization activities, been carried out by the EALA local Chapters in the Partner States, commenced on October 28th, 2016, and shall run over the next ten days. The sensitization is anchored on the theme: “EAC Integration Agenda: Accessing the gains.”
The sensitization programmes target Parliamentarians, youth groups, representatives of the business community and local government authorities. Other groups include government officials, students and media in the respective Partner States.
In Rwanda, the EALA Chapter is scheduled to tour the Tanzania International Container Terminal Services (TICTS) Liaison Office as well as the Rwanda Standards Board to hold discussions with the stakeholders. Also on the cards are visits to the Nemba One Stop Border Post on the Rwanda/Burundi border as well as a tour to the Rusumo One Stop Border Post bordering Rwanda and Tanzania and at Gatuna on the Rwanda/Uganda frontier.
The Uganda Chapter on its part, has a date with students at the Kyambogo University on Wednesday this week and later on with representatives of the Chamber of Commerce. Yesterday, the Chapter was expected to hold talks with the Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, Rt Hon Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga. They shall also visit the Uganda Heart Institute which is an EAC Centre of Excellence and hold public hearings on four Bills before the House, according to a Program availed to the Public Relations Office. The Bills are the EAC Gender Equality and Development Bill, 2016, EAC Prohibition of Female and Genital Mutilation Bill, 2016, the EAC Whistle Blower Protection Bill, 2016 and the EAC Retirement Benefits for Specified Heads of Organs Bill, 2016.
In Burundi, the EALA Chapter was expected to commence their activities with courtesy calls on the President of the Burundi National Assembly and the Minister for EAC Affairs before heading to Muyinga Province. There, the Chapter will meet with the Governor then proceed to the Kobero One Stop Border Post. Business communities living at the border are expected to benefit from a visit where discussions on the benefits of integration shall take centre stage. The EALA Burundi Chapter is then heading to Ngozi Province to meet with stakeholders. It shall also take the opportunity to hold public hearings on Bills before the House.
The Chapter in Tanzania also commenced the sensitization activities with a tour of the Immigration Department in Dar es Salaam. The program also includes a courtesy call on the Chama Cha Mapinduzi Secretary General and EALA Speaker Emeritus, Rt Hon Abdulrahman Kinana, as well as sensitisation of different stakeholders in the coastal areas of Dar, Tanga and the environs. The Chapter led by Hon Makongoro Nyerere, will also visit the border post of HoroHoro, which neighbours that of Lunga-Lunga on the Kenyan side. The Chapter hopes to undertake joint sensitization with citizens who reside on both sides of the borders.
In Kenya, EALA shall visit Government authorities including courtesy calls on the Immigration department and its parent Ministry of Internal and Co-ordination of National Government. The Members are also expected to touch base with private sector representatives including blue chip conglomerate, Safaricom and the healthcare providers, AAR. Other consultative meetings with parastatal bodies will include Kenya Maritime Authority, Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, Communications Authority of Kenya and the Kenya Wildlife Service. A number of consultations will be held with regards to the pending Bills in the House.
This is the third phase of the outreach programme following a successful phases held in the Partner States in April and June 2016. The activities hope to sensitise EAC citizens on the overall integration process and to promote liaison with key stakeholders in the process.
The outreach programmes also hope to keep the EAC populace informed on the role of EALA in the integration process and to enhance interaction between the Private Sector and the Civil Society.
Sensitization is a key component of EALA’s work. The EALA Strategic Plan (2013-2018) envisages a people-centered approach to widening and deepening of the integration agenda.