Posted in Press Release
The Republic of South Sudan today deposited the instrument of ratification on the Accession to the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community to the Secretary General of the East African Community (EAC) Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
Depositing the instrument of ratification with the Secretary General of the East African Community means the Republic of South Sudan is now a new family member of the East African Community with full and equal rights, obligations and privileges.
‘’I would, therefore, like to seize this opportunity to commend President Salva Kiir, the Government and the entire people of the Republic of South Sudan for their tireless efforts and commitment that enabled them to achieve this important milestone”, the Secretary General said at a short ceremony attended by the Chair of the EAC Council of Ministers and Tanzania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Amb. Dr. Augustine Mahiga; Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of East African Community, Labour and Social Protection, Hon. Phyllis Kandie; Burundi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Alain Aime Nyamitwe, and the one in the Office of the President responsible for EAC Affairs, Hon. Leontine Nzeyimana; Permanent Secretaries/ Principal Secretaries from Partner States, EAC Deputy Secretaries Generals, Counsel to the Community and members of media.
In addition, on the Republic of South Sudan were Secretary General, South Sudan EAC Secretariat, Mou Mou Athian Kuol, South Sudan Ambassador to Tanzania, Mariano Deng Ngor, Director of East African Community, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Amb. Agnes Oswaha and Legal Counsel, Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Juba, South Sudan, Lawrence Loro Kamilo.
Amb. Mfumukeko disclosed that now that South Sudan have taken a step further, the Secretariat will seek guidance from the Council of Ministers on developing a detailed roadmap for integrating the Republic of South Sudan into the ongoing EAC projects and programmes.“We shall be informing the Leardership in Juba of every step we shall be taking in this regard”.
The EAC Chief called upon the media to fully participate in integrating the Republic of South Sudan in the EAC by reporting objectively on the issues at hand. He said EAC attaches great importance to the role of the Media in promoting awareness, discourse and involvement of the broad range of stakeholders in the East African regional integration process.
The EAC Secretary General also reiterated to both national, regional and International media on their role to get the region and the new Partner State to embrace regional integration with passion, dedication and commitment for the benefit of the present and future generations of the Community.
On his part, the Presidential Envoy of the Republic of South Sudan, H. E. Hon. Aggrey Tisa Sabuni said membership in EAC for Republic of South Sudan will henceforth mean that the country will never be the same again. “The EAC integration process is important for South Sudan. Currently, the EAC is the most advanced Regional bloc on the African Continent”.
He noted that South Sudan’s membership in the EAC is likely to provide concrete benefits to the country and the region as a whole, adding that “deep regional integration programmes that South Sudan shall soon undertake are likely to enhance overall EAC competitiveness which will lead to higher economic growth, employment creation and poverty reduction”.
Posted in Press Release
Kenya’s “King” David Rudisha, 800 metres ace, Javelin champion, Julius “ Mr You Tube Man” Yego and his compatriots as well as Burundi’s 800 metres women’s track star, Francine Niyonsaba, were feted in the regional Assembly for their exemplary performance at the recently ended Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Late yesterday, EALA passed a Resolution as it adjourned its Sitting sine die, congratulating African and especially, East African Medal Winners in the Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in August 2016.
The motion for the Resolution was presented to the House by Hon Chis Opoka on behalf of the mover, Hon Saoli Ole Nkanae.
According to the mover, several gallant sons and daughters of Africa participated in the Olympics bringing honour and pride to the continent: They include Van Niekerk-400 Metres (South Africa), Boniface Mucheru -400 Metres (Kenya), Caster Semenya-800 Metres -Women (South Africa), Francine Niyonsaba – 800 Metres Women (Burundi), David Rudisha- 800 Metres Kenya), Faith Kipiyego– 1500 Metres Women (Kenya), Dibaba- 1500 Metres, Women (Ethiopia), Conseslus Kipruto-3000 Men (Kenya), Taofiq Makhloufu- 1500 Metres Men (Algeria), Vivian Cheruiyiot – 5000 Metres Women (Kenya), Jemima Sumgong- Marathon/Women (Kenya), Eliud Kipchoge – Marathon/Men (Kenya), and Feyisa Lilesa – Marathon /Men (Ethiopia).
However, the Resolution specifically lauds the East African athletes including, Faith Kipiyego who bagged gold in the 1500 Metres, women, Conseslus Kipruto, another Gold winner in 3000 Metres, and Vivian Cheruiyot, who also won the coveted medal in 5000 Metres, Women. Others are Marathon gold winner for Women, Jemima Sumgong, Eliud Kipchoge, gold (Marathon/Men) and Boniface Mucheru who won silver in the 400Metres, final).
Hon Joseph Kiangoi said the accolades brought to fore the fact that Africa is a continent of achievers.
“The continent’s talent is now been recognised, Mr Speaker,” he said, adding that western nations and other countries continued to lure African sports men and women to consider becoming their nationals.
He called for the need of development of high quality training grounds in high attitude areas to ensure east Africans are well trained. “We also need sports academies in place,” the legislator said.
The MP paid special tribute to the late Isaiah Kiplagat, President of Athletics Kenya. “He made sports and specifically athletics in Kenya what it is today”, Hon Kiangoi added. The late Kiplagat who died on February 24th August, 2016, is to be interred in Kapsaret on Friday, September 2, 2016.
Hon Emerence Bucumi said the region was proud to see athletes from the region’s soil win the various disciplines. Hon Bucumi alluded to Article 119 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC on the promotion of culture and sports and urged the Secretariat to put in place a mechanism to support development of sports.
Hon Dora Byamukama called for promotion of women in sports. “It is unfortunate that as they come of child bearing age, the sports women fizzle out”, Hon Byamukama said.
She appealed for stakeholder support for the budding sportspersons. “Let us also provide sports scholarships for those who excel in sports” she said.
Hon AbuBakr Ogle said the performance of Kenyan athletes was consistent but added that the talent was abundant in the entire region.
Also rising in support of the Motion was Hon Chris Opoka, Hon Peter Mathuki, Hon Frederic Ngenzebuhoro.
EALA is cognisant of the fact that Partner States take a strong stand on enhancing the identification and development of diverse sports talent, promotion of patriotism, citizens’ wellbeing and productivity.
At the Rio games held in Brazil in August 2016, the Republic of Kenya emerged 2nd overall in the sporting discipline with 13 medals (6 gold, 6 silver and 1 bronze) while South Africa was 5th with 4 medals (2 gold and 2 silver). Ethiopia was 9th with 8 medals (1 gold, 2 silver and 5 bronze), Algeria 21st with 2 medals (2 silver). Republic of Burundi was the 24th with 1 silver medal in the Games.