EAC deploys Election Observer Mission to the Re-Run of General Elections in Zanzibar

Posted in Press Release

An 18-member East African Community Elections Observer Mission (EAC-EOM) is in Zanzibar, the United Republic of Tanzania to observe the re-run of General Elections slated for 20th March, 2016.The EAC Mission is a response to the invitation of the Zanzibar Electoral Commission as well as the decision by the EAC Council of Ministers on the observation of elections in the Partner States.

The membership of the EAC Election Observer Mission has been drawn from different but complementary disciplines and includes, members of the East African Legislative Assembly, National Electoral Commissions, National Human Rights Commissions, Civil Society Organisations, and youth representatives from the EAC Youth Ambassadors Forum.

The Mission’s mandate is to observe the overall electoral environment, pre-election preparations, the polling day, and the counting and tallying of results.

Addressing the members of EAC–EOM, the Head of the Mission, H.E. Moody Awori, former Vice President of the Republic of Kenya, cautioned the members of EAC-EOM to be conscious of the environment of that they will operating in. “I have faith and trust that you will live up to the expectation of East Africans in this democratisation process and that the outcome we will collectively deliver and serve to strengthen representation in the region.”

On his part the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Political Federation, Mr. Charles Njoroge, said the Mission is being undertaken pursuant to Article 3 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC which requires adherence to universally acceptable principles of democratic governance, and in line with the EAC Principles of Election Observation and Evaluation.

”As observers, your core role is to observe elections in Partner States and ensure that they meet international recognised standards which ascribe electoral process to be free, fair, transparent, credible and peaceful," said Mr. Njoroge.

Mr. Njoroge informed the members of the Mission that the success of the elections in Zanzibar was of paramount importance to the Partner States as a whole because lack of peace and stability in the region will definitely undermine the outstanding milestones the Community has so far achieved in the integration process.

The Mission is expected to prepare a Report that will be submitted to, among others, the National Electoral Commission of Tanzania, through the EAC Council of Ministers for consideration and implementation.

The Mission will leave Zanzibar on 22nd March, 2016.

EALA hails Hon. Amb. Dr Richard Sezibera, outgoing Secretary General of the EAC

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The Assembly yesterday moved a Resolution to bid farewell to the outgoing Secretary General of the EAC, Hon. Amb. Dr Richard Sezibera for a job well done.

The Resolution moved by Hon. AbuBakr Ogle and seconded by Hon. Abdullah Mwinyi, recognised the Secretary General for the great service rendered during his tenure of service to the Community.

The Resolution which received support from the whole House, cited a number of achievements in the programs and projects of the EAC during the five year period (2011-2016). Among the achievements are the recent introduction of the international EAC e-Passport, which the Resolution terms a critical milestone in the integration dispensation.

The Resolution also takes cognisance of the fact that Hon. Amb. Dr Sezibera’s tenure saw the conclusion and ratification of the Monetary Union, which is the third pillar of integration. It also cites Hon. Amb. Dr Sezibera’s key role in spearheading the granting of financial and administrative autonomy to the EALA and the EACJ, thus laying the foundation to commence on various amendments of the Treaty and the relevant EAC Rules and Regulations.

On matters of trade, the mover said the EAC Secretary General had sustained campaigns to ensure the realisation of the Single Customs Territory (SCT) and that it had duly paid off. Also laudable, a section of the Resolution avers, is the EAC’s infrastructure programme which is set to spur development in the region apart from other parts of the continent in terms of competitiveness thus laying the Standard Railway Gauge and making unprecedented advances in investment of energy.

In order to ensure people centeredness, the Secretary General was instrumental in establishing and sustaining the quarterly Secretary General’s forum with the Private Sector.

In justifying the Resolution, Hon. AbuBakr Ogle hailed the Secretary General for the positive areas of integration but also added there were challenges as well during his tenure.

He remarked that the incoming Secretary General was taking over at a critical time for the Community.

Contributing to the debate, Hon. Peter Mathuki said the outgoing EAC boss had made significant contribution towards strengthening of the integration process. He remarked that the addition of the Republic of South Sudan in to the bloc was a key deliverable that was facilitated during the tenure of the outgoing Secretary General.

“We need to appreciate some of the facts while understanding that in any given scenario, one can encounter obstacles during the tour of duty”, Hon. Mathuki said.

Hon. Shyrose Bhanji noted that during the tenure of Amb. Sezibera, many deliverables were realised. We have seen the reduction of NTBs and the Single Customs Territory (SCT) is also a reality. “We are also thankful for the developments such as the One Stop Border Post (OSBP) which have led to increase in Intra-EAC Trade. We are thankful to Hon. Dr Sezibera and his team”, she added.

“I want to assure him that we shall soldier on until we realise the objectives of the EAC. We shall definitely meet again in Arusha, Kigali or elsewhere in the region when we have a borderless EAC,” she said.

Hon. Martin Ngoga referred to Hon. Amb, Dr Sezibera’s tenure as one marked by great achievements.

“He has been a law maker, a Minister in the Government of Rwanda and a diplomat in his past service before coming to the EAC. He left great achievements elsewhere in public service no wonder his achievements as Secretary General of the EAC”, he said.

“We expect that the in-coming successor shall also take the Community to another level. It is our collective duty and responsibility to support the Office bearer,” Hon. Ngoga added.

Hon. Margaret Nantongo Zziwa said during the tenure of Hon. Dr Sezibera, the Members had realised improved welfare. She remarked that the challenges notwithstanding, the achievements of the Secretary General were laudable.

Hon. Abdullah Mwinyi and Hon. Dr Odette Nyiramilimo heaped praises on Dr Sezibera for the sterling job he had done for the Community. “The role of been Secretary General is extremely challenging. One must balance interest of the Community and have deep understanding of needs of Partner States,” they said.

Hon. Dora Byamukama congratulated the Republic of Rwanda for nominating Hon. Amb. Dr Richard Sezibera and said he had brought honour to the Partner State and the region.

Last week, Hon. Amb. Dr Sezibera addressed the House where he delivered the score-card of achievements during his tenure as the bloc’s Secretary General.

Amb. Dr Richard Sezibera whose tour of duty at the EAC comes to an end on April 26th, 2015 has had a successful career in public service as a Physician, Minister in the Government of Rwanda and as a Member of Rwanda’s Transitional Parliament. He has also served in the Army and as a diplomat.

At the 17th Ordinary Summit of the EAC Heads of State, the Heads of State appointed Mr Liberat Mfumukeko, the outgoing EAC Deputy Secretary General, Finance and Administration as the new Secretary General of the Community with effect from April 26th, 2016.

The Treaty of the EAC empowers the Secretary General to be the head of the Secretariat, and Accounting Officer. He is the Secretary of the Summit of EAC Heads of State and may carry out such other duties as conferred upon him by the Treaty.