Inter-Parliamentary Games begin

Posted in Press Release

The 6th Inter-Parliamentary Games have commenced in Kigali, Rwanda with tug-of-war and athletic disciplines taking off to a competitive start.

In athletics, Senator Isaac Melly of Kenya made a dash to the line in 11.67 seconds to win the 100 metres race with compatriot, Hon. David Ochieng coming in second thirty seconds later. Former Boston Marathon Champion, Hon. Wesley Korir comfortably won the 800 meters race on 2 minutes 19 seconds while Hon. Kisoi Munyao came second. Rwandan legislator, Hon. Semasaka Gabriel finished third.

In the women’s category, legislators from Parliament of Rwanda carried the day in the 100 metres and 800 metres respectively.

Rwanda’s Hon. Petronile Mukandekezi beat a strong field in the 100 metre dash hitting the 16.22 mark while Hon. Nyirahirwa Venerandana was second. Hon. Eusillah Ngeny of Kenya came in third crossing the line on 16.54 seconds.

In 800 metres, Rwanda’s Hon. Annonce Manirarora won the race on 4min 44 seconds while Hon. Dorcas Ngeny, Parliament of Kenya and Hon. Nancy Abisai of EALA came in second and third respectively.

In Tug-of-War, men’s category, Parliament of Kenya carried the day as overall winner after beating both the Parliament of Rwanda and EALA by an identical 2-1 pull.

EALA similarly got 2 pulls over 1 of the Parliament of Rwanda.

In women’s category, Parliament of Kenya again triumphed after beating both EALA and Rwanda on two similar pulls margin. Earlier on, Parliament of Rwanda had held on to pull twice over EALA.

The games were preceded by a Pre-Tournament Conference called to nurture bonding and a spirit of friendship during the games, which are the 6th such for the region.

EALA Speaker Daniel Fred Kidega urged the Parliaments to use sport to enhance integration.

“This week, we would like all citizens of Kigali and its environs to come and participate in the Games”, he said.

“The games should bring out the best in us in terms of a spirit of friendship and camaraderie. This is the only way we can enhance integration”, he added.

The leader of delegation of the Bunge Sports Club, Kenya, Hon. Wafula Wamunyinyi said the region’s legislators would help strengthen the integration process through enhanced collaboration in the sporting arena.

Hon. Bernard Mulengani of EALA termed as noble, the decision by the EAC Speakers’ Bureau to institutionalise the annual games.

The Games continue tomorrow (Saturday) with volleyball, netball and soccer been held at the Amahoro Stadium and the Kigali Regional Stadium in Nyamirambo respectively.

EALA roots for a Stronger, more Effective Pan-African Parliament

Posted in Press Release

EALA is rooting for an effective continental Assembly and one with legislative powers. Consequently, EALA yesterday afternoon passed a Resolution urging EAC Partner States to urgently sign, ratify and deposit the required instruments of the amended Protocol to the Constitutive Act of the African Union. This shall enable the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) to achieve one of its important pillar of legislation.

The Resolution presented to the House by Hon. Chris Opoka, on behalf of Hon. Mike Sebalu, notes that PAP has been exercising limited oversight, advisory role and consultative powers to the African Union, as the Organ that represents all peoples of Africa and the interests of Africans in the diaspora.

EALA qualifies to be a Parliament given its full legislative, oversight and representative nature. On its part, PAP is a deliberative body with consultative and advisory body. It is ideal that we have a PAP in both spirit and character as is EALA.

The Debate of the Resolution was stood over at the Plenary Sitting in Nairobi. Hon. Dr Odette Nyiramilimo moved under Rule 30 (c) to postpone debate on the motion to give Members time to consult the documents and the necessary Protocol to enrich the debate in future.

According to the mover, PAP which has been in existence for eleven years had 5 Presidents at the helm of the body. It has an overlapping nature that needs a defined term. At the moment, Members of PAP belong to National Assemblies / Parliaments and with the high turn-over at national assemblies, there is institutional challenges, Hon. Sebalu said.

The Heads of State and Governments of the African Union adopted the amended Protocol to the Constitutive Act of the African Union relating to the Pan-African Parliament on June 27th, 2014 at its Twenty-Third Ordinary Session held in Malabo in Equatorial Guinea. According to the Resolution, the amended Protocol requires 28 ratifications from AU Member States for it to come into force.

EALA is concerned that only 6 countries have signed the Protocol with only the Republic of Mali ratifying and depositing the instrument. The move has led the Pan-African Parliament to set itself a target of 2016 as the target for achieving all the required 28 ratifications.