Press Release

24th Meeting of the Sectoral Council of Ministers Responsible for EAC Affairs and Planning concludes in Nairobi, Kenya

Posted in Press Release

The 24th Meeting of the Sectoral Council of Ministers Responsible for EAC Affairs and Planning concluded on 30th June 2016 in Nairobi, Kenya, with the Ministers endorsing the candidature of Hon. Dr. Specioza Kazibwe Wandira for the Chairmanship of the African Union Commission. The Republic of Uganda had earlier requested the Partner States to support the candidature of Hon. Dr. Specioza Kazibwe Wandira for the position.

Hon Phyllis J. Kandie, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of East African Community (EAC), Labour and Social Protection, Republic of Kenya chaired the meeting, which was attended by Rwanda’s Minister of East African Community, Hon. Valentine Rugwabiza; Burundi’s Minister in the Office of the President Responsible for EAC Affairs, Hon. Léontine Nzeyimana; Uganda’s State Minister for East African Community Affairs, Hon. Julius Wandera Maganda and Hon. Matia Kasaija, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning. H.E. Amb. John Michael Haule, The United Republic of Tanzania’s High Commissioner to the Republic of Kenya lead his country’s delegation to the meeting.

The Secretary General of the East African Community, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko and other Executives and senior officials from the EAC Secretariat were also in attendance.

Some of the Decisions/Directives and Recommendations of the 24th Meeting of the Sectoral Council:

  1. The Secretariat to undertake a Joint Security Assessment Mission to the Republic of Burundi to re-assess the Security situation by 31st July 2016. The Team to comprise all Partner States representatives and to strictly abide by the Terms of Reference (ToR);
  2. The Secretariat to develop a comprehensive strategic framework with clear timelines on the implementation of the Common Market Protocol Scorecard findings and the Single Customs Territory and report to the 25th Meeting of the Sectoral Council;
  3. The Secretariat to convene a meeting of Heads of Immigration on harmonization of classification/common procedures and fees for issuance of work permit for citizens of EAC Partner States by September 2016;
  4. The Secretariat to operationalize the Ad hoc EAC Service Commission by 1st July 2016 and report progress to the 34th Council in August 2016;
  5. The Secretariat to develop a framework for transition to the proposed Commission within two (2) years taking cognizance of existing studies and other comparative information on other similar Regional Economic Communities;
  6. The Secretariat to develop proposals on sanctions that can be imposed on Partner States that breach the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community in line with Article 143 of the Treaty and report to the 35th Meeting of the Council;
  7. While the full admission of the Republic of South Sudan (RSS) will be confirmed by the ratification and depositing the Instruments of Ratification with the Secretary General (latest by 1st October, 2016), the Sectoral Council took note of the developed roadmap for the full integration of the new Partner State into the EAC and approved an exploratory mission at the Coordination Committee level with co-opted members from the Secretariat, Organs and Institutions of the Community be undertaken to RSS to engage the Government on its integration into the EAC;
  8. The Secretariat to propose priority areas in the integration process that could be championed by individual Partner States and table the proposal at the October 2016 Meeting of the Sectoral Council;
  9. The Secretariat to compile a draft list of Decisions that could be considered for Decision Making by Simple Majority and submit the list at October 2016 Meeting of the Sectoral Council;
  10. The EAC Secretariat to urgently convene an Extra-Ordinary Meeting of the Sectoral Council on Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment (SCTIFI) through Video Conference preferably by 11th July, 2016 to deliberate on the finalization and preparation for signing the EAC-EU-EPA being proposed to take place on 18th July 2016, on the margins of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) XIV Conference in Nairobi, Kenya;
  11. The Sectoral Council adopted the EAC Brand Architecture Concept Note and directed the EAC Secretariat to use the Youth, who have diverse talent in the region, in the process of developing the new EAC Brand Architecture. The Brand Architecture Concept Note proposes to develop a new EAC Logo and Flag; a common unique identifier for all EAC Organs and Institutions and a single primary (main) EAC Corporate Colour and one Secondary Colour; and a single visual identity emblem for the Community; and
  12. The EAC Secretariat to resume meetings in the Republic of Burundi in accordance with the EAC Calendar of Activities.

EAC Secretary General meets Ambassador of China H.E Lû Youqing

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The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the United Republic of Tanzania, and also accredited to the EAC bloc, H.E. Lû Youqing today paid a courtesy call to Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, the Secretary General of the East African Community. The Secretary General and his guest discussed among other things the possible areas of cooperation and the need to organise investment conferences to China led by the East African Business Council.

Amb. Liberat recognized the significance of China in EAC noting that China is a potentially big partner for the bloc. He acknowledged the contribution made by China in the infrastructure sector, particularly, rails; roads and air transport geared at enhancing trade in the region.

The Secretary General thanked China for her contribution towards the Burundi Dialogue Process and invited China to contribute to other projects and programmes, through the EAC Partnership Fund.

On his part, H.E. Lû Youqing, recognised the remarkable progress that EAC had made. He expressed China’s growing interest in augmenting its cooperation with EAC, specifically the China/EAC/FTA Cooperation, noting that it would positively impact EAC products going to China market especially agricultural products.

The Ambassador re-affirmed China’s commitment to support Integration interconnections i.e. Railway, Airlines and Industrialisation and stressed the need to fast track the signing of the MoU on China/EAC Aviation Cooperation.

He informed the Secretary General that China was finalising the process of donating vehicles to EAC to enhance its capacity. The Chinese envoy further expressed hope that the Secretary General would continue the strong cooperation with China.

 

EAC Secretary General and Ambassador of Ireland to Tanzania hold talks in Arusha

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The Ambassador of the Republic of Ireland to the United Republic of Tanzania, and also accredited to the EAC bloc, H.E. Fionnuala Gilsenan yesterday paid a courtesy call to Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, the Secretary General of the East African Community.

The Secretary General and his guest discussed among other things the possible areas of cooperation especially in the implementation of the Common Market Protocol and in particular, the Free Movement of Persons. Amb. Mfumukeko informed the Ireland envoy that the implementation of the next EAC Development Strategy would commence in 2017 and the EAC was counting on Ireland’s support to realise its goals.

Commenting on the progress of the Burundi Peace Talks, Amb. Mfumukeko updated Her Excellency that H.E. Benjamin Mkapa had recently met a group of politicians in Brussels as a continuation of the consultations that had been held in Arusha in May. He mentioned that the talks required further negotiations between all the parties involved and assured his counterpart that EAC was supporting an all-inclusive dialogue process.

On South Sudan, the Secretary General informed the Ireland Ambassador that South Sudan has been given six month to complete the ratification process of the Accession Treaty signed on 15th April 2016, after which the country will be a full member of the EAC.

On her part, H.E. Fionnuala Gilsenan commended the impressive progress made by EAC, especially the finalisation of ambitious Protocols and Policies. She emphasised the need of reaching and sensitising the common citizenry of the real benefits of integration noting that lack of this was one of key reasons for Brexit. She informed Amb. Mfumukeko that the decision by UK to exit EU would have great implications especially in Northern Ireland, which is still part of EU. On the Burundi Dialogue Process, the Ambassador underlined the need to have a strong dialogue plan that would accommodate the views of all stakeholders involved.

The Ireland Ambassador affirmed to the Secretary General her country’s continued support to the EAC projects and programmes confirming that Ireland was committed to contributing to the EAC Partnership Fund. She expressed hope that this would continue to build on the strong relationship and partnership between Ireland and EAC.

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