Posted in Press Release
France has hailed ongoing reforms to promote more prudent use of resources and efficiency at the East African Community Secretariat.
French Ambassador to the United Republic of Tanzania and the EAC, Ms. Malika Berak, further pledged her country’s willingness to provide support to the ongoing Inter-Burundi Dialogue.
Amb. Berak reaffirmed France’s commitment to the success of the mediation which is aimed at promoting peace, reconciliation and security in the Republic of Burundi. The Inter-Burundi Dialogue is being facilitated by His Excellency Benjamin William Mkapa, former President of Tanzania with support from the EAC Secretariat.
Amb. Berak said that France as a member of the European Union knew that regional integration initiatives were full of challenges hence the country’s desire to work closely to promote integration in East Africa.
She described as timely and long overdue the reforms being undertaken by the EAC Secretariat to promote fiscal efficiency and accountability.
The French Ambassador made the remarks when she paid a courtesy call on the EAC Secretary General, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania today.
In response, Amb. Mfumukeko said the EU and France were some of the largest contributors of financial support to the Community.
Amb. Mfumukeko said the Inter-Burundi Dialogue was well on course with the next round of talks due to be held in Arusha, Tanzania this month. Amb. Mfumukeko said the EAC was committed to improving in terms of performance and delivery on its mandate of driving the integration process forward, adding that he had dedicated his first two months in office to putting in place reforms at the Secretariat.
“We are in the process of deep thinking, looking afresh at our priorities, appropriate allocation of resources, our budgeting and planning process, and seeking to learn from Brexit,” said the Secretary General.
He said the EAC was in the process of re-engineering itself in addition to re-energizing its staff for purposes of increasing productivity, adding that the Community would be receptive to ideas from Partner States, Development Partners and all stakeholders in the integration process on how to undertake the reforms.
Present at the meeting were Mr. Philippe Boncour, Counsellor and Head of Cooperation and Cultural Affairs at the French Embassy in Dar es Salaam; Mr. Charles Njoroge, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Political Federation, and; other senior EAC officials.
Posted in Press Release
A former EALA Member, Hon Beatrice Shelukindo has passed on. The late Hon Shelukindo passed away in Arusha on July 2, 2016.
The late Hon Shelukindo, served in the First Assembly from November 2001 to October 2005. She resigned from the Assembly upon contesting and winning the Parliamentary seat in Kilindi Constituency in Tanga on a Chama Cha Mapinduzi ticket. Hon Shelukindo served in the 9th and 10th Parliament. She did not contest in the October 2015 polls.
As at time of death, Hon Shelukino was a Member of the ruling party’s National Executive Council in Kilindi, Tanga.
EALA Speaker, Rt Hon Daniel Fred Kidega, in a statement released from Nairobi, eulogized the fallen legislator as a great debater.
“The late Hon Shelukindo was a great leader, mentor and a courageous legislator who spoke her mind in both Houses (EALA and Parliament of Tanzania). It is a big loss to the United Republic of Tanzania and the EAC region. I proffer my condolences and that of the EALA Members to the family, friends and to her Parliamentary colleagues,” Rt Hon Kidega stated.
The late Beatrice Shelukindo was at one point a Parliamentary Service Commissioner in the Parliament of Tanzania. She also held leadership positions at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in Africa where she advocated for social causes.
The late Hon Shelukindo is expected to be buried in Arusha on Wednesday this week, according to a dispatch from the CCM Secretary, Kilindi District, Hawa Nanganyau.