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The Consultative Dialogue Framework

The 26th Meeting of the Council of Ministers of the East African Community adopted the Consultative Dialogue Framework (CDF) for Private Sector, Civil Society and other Interest Groups in the EAC Regional Integration process (EAC/CM26/DECISION 06).

This framework ensures continuous dialogue between EAC, Partner States, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Private Sector Organisation (PSOs) and other Interest Groups both at the national and regional level. This is aimed at ensuring that the integration process proceeds with the involvement of the citizens of EAC Partner States through multi-stakeholder partnerships.

To provide a platform for this dialogue, an Annual Forum is convened by the Secretary-General of the East African Community. The meeting is organised collaboratively based on an agenda agreed upon between the private sector, civil society and other interest groups, and the EAC Secretariat, Organs and Institutions.

Three SG Forums have been organised since the adoption of the CDF: the 1st SG Forum took place on 12th and 13th December 2012 in Dar-Es-Salaam, the 2nd SG Forum under the theme “THE EAC WE WANT” took place from 7th to 8th October 2013 in Nairobi and the 3rd Forum under the theme “EAC: My Home, My Business” took place from 12th to 13th September 2014 in Entebbe.

The Annual Secretary-General’s Forums are organised by the EAC Secretariat in collaboration with the Partner States Ministries responsible for EAC affairs as well as the East African Business Council, the East African Civil Society Organisations’ Forum, East African Law Society, East African Local Governments Association, East African Trade Union Confederation and development partners.

The 4th Annual EAC Secretary-General’s Forum with a theme of “Good Governance and Constitutionalism in the East African Community” will be held in December 2015, in Kigali, Rwanda. The 4th SG’s Forum is expected to bring together approximately two hundred participants drawn from Governments of EAC Partner States, PSOs, CSOs, professional bodies, academia / universities, media, EAC Organs and Institutions, development partners and other interest groups.

Civil Society mobilisation

The EAC Treaty stipulates that regional integration and development in the community shall be people centred and participatory. This involves broad participation of key stakeholders including women, the youth, private sector and the civil society. Governments have to create s an enabling environment for these stakeholders to thrive.

The last ten years have witnessed growth in the participation of the civil society, professional, women and private sector organisations in the integration process. To this extent, organisations such as the East African Business Council, the East African Trade Union Council, the East Africa Law Society, the East African Magistrates and Judges’ Association, East African Local Governments Authority have in one way or another participated in the activities of the EAC.

 

Legal Frameworks

Articles 127, 128 and 129 of the EAC Treaty focus on the creation of an enabling environment for the Private Sector, the Civil Society and other interest groups as well as the strengthening of co-operation among business organisations and professional bodies.

Specifically, Article 127(3) & (4) states the following:

  • The Partner States agree to promote an enabling environment for the participation of Civil Society in the development activities within the Community; and
  • between the private sector, civil society organisations, other interest groups and appropriate institutions of the Community.

East African Community
EAC Close
Afrika Mashariki Road
P.O. Box 1096
Arusha
United Republic of Tanzania

Tel: +255 (0)27 216 2100
Fax: +255 (0)27 216 2190
Email: eac@eachq.org