East African Community Secretariat; Arusha, Tanzania; 27 June 2017:
A 3-day meeting of the Heads of Meteorological Service to spearhead the development of the Meteorological Sector in the region concluded at the EAC headquarters in Arusha,Tanzania on 21st July 2017.
Addressing participants at the opening session, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Planning and Infrastructure Eng. Steven D.M Mlote, informed the meeting that the provision of accurate and timely weather and climate information provides useful inputs into sectors such as agriculture; livestock development and food security; road, air and maritime transport; building and construction industry; health and public safety; disaster management and water resources management among others.
He further informed the meeting that the ratification of the EAC Protocol on the Cooperation in Meteorological Services was one of the key priorities. The protocol, once fully implemented, will rekindle the glory of the East African Meteorological Services. He called upon Partner States to fast track the ratification process.
Eng. Mlote requested the Heads of the Meteorological Services to explore new avenues in the unexplored territories to make the sector more visible. Some of the new opportunities worthy exploring includes: Weather Services for the Road Transport to reduce road fatalities associated with bad weather; Weather Services to the Health Sector; Weather Services for the New Standard Railways; Weather Services to support the new digital television broadcasting services; and Development of an EAC weather forecasting platform.
In his remarks the Chairman Dr. Festis Luboyera, Executive Director of Uganda National Meteorological Authority informed generally the seasonal March to May season was well forecasted and in line with the forecast made by the National Meteorological Services. He encouraged partner states to work with development partners to stabilize food security.
Director of Infrastructure (DI) at the EAC Secretariat, Dr Kamugisha Kazaura promised that the EAC Secretariat will continue to support the Meteorological Services and explore avenues through which the EAC can facilitate in supporting acquiring capital equipment to improve service delivery.
Among the key output of the meeting was the formation of a taskforce to assess the optimum number of weather stations and location of Radar Stations to avoid duplication of efforts and save on costs of procurement of meteorological instruments and equipment.
The meeting was attended by Heads of the Meteorological Services, Representative of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Weather Information Service Africa (WISER), IGAD Climate Prediction and Application Centre (ICPAC) as well as USAID PREPARED.
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For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
East African Community Secretariat; Arusha, Tanzania; 23 June 2017:
The EAC Partner States have marked a major milestone in their aspiration of placing agriculture as the engine of social and economic growth in the integration process with the signing of the EAC Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Compact.
The EAC CAADP Compact details regional development priorities and defines actions, commitments and partnerships required to achieve agricultural transformation in line with the CAADP goals and targets.
Addressing officials during the singing ceremony of the EAC CAADP Compact, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sectors, Hon. Christophe Bazivamo noted that the process of developing the EAC CAADP Compact has been a lengthy, inclusive and consultative one, aimed at building census and securing ownership among various stakeholders.
“The Compact is designed to facilitate coordination of regional and cross-cutting programmes that are best handled regionally and those that compliment agricultural programmes and projects at the national level in the Partner States,” added Hon. Bazivamo.
On his part, Uganda’s Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and Chairperson of the EAC Sectoral Council on Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Ssempijja V. Bamulangaki reaffirmed the EAC Partner States’ commitment to transforming agriculture for inclusive economic growth in the region.
“Over the years, efforts have been put in different sectors of integration such as infrastructure, it is now time that we assert ourselves, move with greater speed and ensure we take agriculture to the lead”, said the Minister.
CAADP’s overall goal is to use agriculture to eliminate hunger and reduce poverty in Africa. Through the CAADP agenda, African governments have agreed to increase public investment in agriculture to 10% of national budgets per year and to raise and maintain agricultural productivity and annual growth by at least 6%.
With the vision of “A Competitive and prosperous agriculture sector in East Africa”, the EAC CAADP Compact priorities focus on considerations for accelerating agricultural growth and transformation, that targets: increased agriculture production and productivity; increased intra African regional trade and better functioning of national and regional markets; expanded local agro-industry and value chain development inclusive of women and youth; increased resilience of livelihoods and improved management of risks in agricultural sector; and improved management of natural resources for sustainable agriculture.
The priority and focus areas in the EAC Compact include sustainable natural resource use and management; rural infrastructure, ICT and trade-related capacities for improved market access; food supply and reducing hunger; agricultural research, technology dissemination and adoption; enhancing resilience of livelihoods and production systems and Management of Risks; institutional and financial Strengthening; and cross cutting issues.
The Compact was signed by the EAC Partner States, the EAC Secretariat, the Inter- University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), the East Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF), the East African Business Council (EABC), the East Africa Civil Society Organizations’ Forum (EACSOF), the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
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Notes to Editor:
The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) is an African Union (AU), Africa-owned and Africa-led initiative designed to boost agricultural productivity in Africa. It was endorsed at the African Union Heads of State Summit as a New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) programme in July 2003.
The adoption of Malabo Declaration on Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Transformation in June 2014 by the AU Summit gave renewed legitimacy and mandate to the CAADP agenda. The Malabo Declaration focuses on delivering measureable results and impact, deepening the earlier CAADP Maputo commitments, and bringing focus on the need for institutional and policy change to create an enabling environment for concerted country and regional efforts directed towards delivering agricultural transformation.
For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
East African Community Secretariat; Arusha, Tanzania; 23 June 2017:
The Incubator for Integration and Development in East Africa (IIDEA) developed as a joint initiative between the EAC Secretariat, Regional Dialogue Committee (RDC), and GIZ was launched on Thursday, 22nd June, 2017, by Uganda’s 2nd Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of EAC Affairs and the Chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers, Hon. Dr. Ali Kirunda Kivenjija, at the commencement of the 5th Annual Secretary General's Forum for Private Sector, Civil Society and other Interest Groups, in Bujumbura, Burundi.
Speaking during the launch event, Hon. Kivenjija said through the IIDEA project, the EAC is not only very proud to support private sector, civil society and other interest groups in East Africa, who are the region’s most committed partners in integration, but also to be able to provide tangible opportunities for citizens to enable them support, own and champion the integration agenda.
"We believe doing this will not only bridge the gap between East African Citizens and the EAC, but also strengthen the integration process.”
He informed the participants that since the commencement of IIDEA’s activities in April 2016, a total of sixteen projects have been approved by the IIDEA Committee for support. “Two projects have been successfully completed, fourteen are currently under implementation and all are producing promising results”, asserted the Chairperson of the EAC Council.
“In addition, IIDEA pioneering projects focus on issues ranging from technological innovation, gender empowerment, cross border trade, SMEs promotion and development, market access and information, youth skills enhancement and employment, saving for healthcare, art incubation, cultural integration among others”, stated Hon.Kivenjija.
The Chairperson of the Council commended Regional Dialogue Committee (RDC), IIDEA Committee and GIZ for their contributions towards making the EAC integration more than just empty words. "We applaud you and ask that you continue with the good work.”
Addressing the participants of the forum earlier during the official opening of the 5th SG’s Forum, Burundi’s Minister to the Office of the President responsible for East African Community Affairs, Hon. Isabelle Ndahayo said the 5th Annual Forum was first and foremost organized in the spirit of widening and deepening the EAC integration process.
“As a matter of fact, the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community and especially Article 7 paragraph 1 (a) stipulates that the principles that shall govern the practical achievements of the objectives of the Community shall include people-centred and market driven cooperation”, added the Minister.
“I have no doubt that the themes and sub-themes developed in this 5th Annual Secretary General’s Forum are going to emphasize the involvement of the citizenry and its implementation in the context of multi-stakeholder partnerships.”
She reiterated the commitment of the Government of Burundi to the involvement of Private Sector Organizations (PSO), Civil Society Organizations (CSO) and other Interest Groups in the integration process by establishing a National Dialogue Committee in accordance with the directive of the Council of Ministers.
On his part, the EAC Secretary General, Amb Libérat Mfumukeko informed the participants that Article 127 (4) of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC specifically provides for an Annual Forum convened by the Secretary General of the East African Community that brings together the Parties to the Dialogue to discuss issues of mutual interest and engagement through sector specific fora.
He disclosed that the Civil Society Organizations has been fulfilling the principal of a people-centered Community by playing a major role in the implementation of the 4th EAC Development Strategy (2012/2016) and also advocacy for the extended Jurisdiction of East African Court of Justice (EACJ).
“Through their engagement in the integration process we have witnessed the negotiation and conclusion of Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) by professionals in the following areas; Accountants, Engineers, Architects; Veterinary Surgeons; the Land Surveyors and Advocates in East Africa, harmonization of education curricular with draft structures and frameworks leading to the harmonization of the EAC curricula developed and harmonized Draft Rules and Regulations guiding the conduct of Examinations in EAC Education institutions have been developed,” added the Secretary General.
Amb. Mfumukeko also highlighted the role of Private Sector in fulfilling the market driven principle of the Treaty by implementing the commitments enshrined within the EAC Customs Union and Common Market Protocols by improving the business and economic environment through evidence-based policy advocacy in the areas of harmonization of trade facilitation and regulatory framework, harmonization of product standards, advocating for free movement of the factors of production, as well as addressing trade barriers faced by women-owned businesses and Micro, Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
The Vice President of the East African Law Society, Ms. Anne Abeja said the biggest concern for any organization should be when their most passionate people become quiet. ‘’Let us, as participants and stakeholders of the SG’s Forum, not become quiet on matters of regional Integration‘’. We are here representing the people of East Africa, I believe we are passionate, that is why we are here to begin with, we therefore owe it to us all, to not just be heard but to be seen and felt as well in matters of Regional Integration and in implementing agreed recommendations”, affirmed Ms. Abeja.
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Notes to Editor:
EAC has been implementing the Consultative Dialogue Framework since December 2012 after its adoption by the 26th Meeting of the Council of Ministers. The Consultative Dialogue Framework provides for a structured dialogue between the East African Community, Private Sector Organizations, Civil Society Organizations and other Interest Groups and is guided by the principles enshrined in the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC (Articles 127, 128 and 129). The EAC Secretariat is organizing the SG’s Forum with support from GIZ.
For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
East African Community Secretariat; Nairobi, Kenya; 20 June 2017:
A four-day planning meeting ahead of deployment of the EAC Election Observer Missions in the Kenya General Elections and Rwanda Presidential Elections due in August 2017, is underway in Nairobi, Kenya.
The meeting is being attended by officials from the National Human Rights Commissions, National Independent Electoral Commissions, Offices of the Registrar of Political Parties, and Ministries in charge of EAC Affairs in the Partner States of the United Republic of Tanzania, Burundi, Uganda, and South Sudan.
Addressing participants at the opening session, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Political Federation, Mr. Charles Njoroge noted that this was the first time the Community was engaging in two Election Observer Missions at the same time in two Partner States within a period of ten days. “That means we will need to double our efforts and level of preparations”, said the EAC official, adding that getting involved in Electoral Observation in the region is in fulfilment of the EAC Treaty objectives on democratization.
He said the upcoming elections in the Republics of Kenya and Rwanda were the last in the 2010-2020 Electoral Calendar and that the next General Election in the region will take place in 2020.
Mr. Njoroge disclosed that the upcoming Missions will be characterized by a slight departure from the traditional Mission composition as for the first time since EAC commenced Election Observations; the Community will not have the much-needed regional political dimension traditionally offered by members of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) because the 4th EALA is not yet constituted.
“Additionally, we will be welcoming on board the Republic of South Sudan who are to take part in the Missions for the first time. As we deliberate we will look at ways of ensuring that the absence of the EALA does not in any way impair the quality of the observation mission and the subsequent Report”, assured the Deputy Secretary General.
In the next four days, participants will be able to share information on election observation as a democratic benchmark, prepare for Election Observation in the Republics of Kenya and Rwanda including discussing the deployment plans and insight into the Kenyan Electoral Landscape.
Participants will also be able to engage with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission of Kenya. Consultation with the Rwanda National Electoral Commission will take place at a later date.
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Notes to Editor:
Pursuant to the provisions of Articles 123, 6 (d) and 3 (3) (b) of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community, the EAC will be deploying Electoral Observers to the Presidential Elections to be held in the Republic of Rwanda on 4th August 2017 and the General Elections to be held in the Republic of Kenya on 8th August 2017.
The Observer Missions headed by Eminent Persons from the EAC Region and comprised of nominees from the EAC Partner States facilitated by the Secretariat will undertake the exercise in line with guidelines contained in the EAC Principles on Electoral Observation and Evaluation, which heralded the institutionalization of Election Observation in the EAC Partner States.
The EAC has previously fielded Election Observer Missions to Elections in the Republic Kenya 2013, Republic of Rwanda, Republic of Burundi 2005, 2010, 2015, The United Republic of Tanzania 2015, the Repeat Elections in Zanzibar 2016, and the Republic of Uganda 2016, among others.
The deployment of the Short-Term Observation Mission will be preceded by Pre-Election Monitoring Missions whose remit will be to look at the playing field based on a number of variables. The length of both Missions will thus be 14th July to 12th August 2017 for the Republic of Kenya and 9th July to 7th August 2017 for the Republic of Rwanda.
For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
East African Community Secretariat; Arusha, Tanzania; 19 June 2017:
The 10th meeting of the EAC Sectoral Council of Minister on Agriculture and Food Security is ongoing with the Session of Senior Officials at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The Session of Senior Officials will be followed by the Coordination Committee Session which comprises Permanent/Principal Secretaries of Agriculture from the EAC Partner States on Wednesday 22nd June, 2017, and Ministers/Cabinet Secretaries Session on 23rd June, 2017.
Among the items on the agenda are consideration of the reports on Implementation of previous Council and Sectoral Council Decisions, Formulation of EAC Food Security Action Plan Phase 2 ( 2017-2021) and Development of EAC Food and Nutrition Security Strategy ( 2017-2021).
In addition on the agenda for discussion will be reports on Promoting Youth Employment in Agriculture Project as well as Livestock and Fisheries Development.
Addressing the Sectoral Council at the official opening session, Director of Productive Sector at the EAC Secretariat, Mr. Jean Baptiste Havugimana informed the meeting that the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) was adopted by the 9th Sectoral Council on Agriculture and Food Security (SCAFs) in January, 2016 and subsequently approved by the 34th Council of Ministers during the same year.
Mr. Havugimana who represented Hon Christopher Bazivamo, EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sector, said the adoption EAC CAADP Compact defines regional high level commitment and agricultural transformation priorities. It focuses on facilitating coordination of regional programs that complement agricultural programs at the national level contained in national agriculture investment plans.
"I am grateful to inform you that, the approved final EAC CAADP Compact will be signed during this Sectoral Council by the designated stakeholders."
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For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
East African Community Secretariat; Arusha, Tanzania; 19 June 2017:
Preparations for the 5th Annual Secretary General's Forum for Private Sector, Civil Society and Other Interest Groups, to be held in Bujumbura, Burundi on 22nd to 23rd June 2017, are in high gear with participants drawn from Governments of EAC Partner States, Private Sector Organization’s (PSOs), Civil Society Organisation (CSO’s), Professional bodies, Academia/Universities, Media and EAC Organs and Institutions, Development partners and other interest groups.
The forum aims to provide an opportunity for the private sector, civil society and other interest groups to share experiences and good practices of the integration process experienced in the last 15 years and work out a coordinated strategy towards a common future of a political integration and a borderless community.
Each year, the Secretary General’s Forum deals with a wide range of topics that are at the heart of the integration process in East Africa. This year, the central topic will concern the progress, challenges and future of the implementation of the Common Market Protocol, particularly the free movement of labour and services. Through consultation and dialogue, non-state actors and EAC officials will agree upon concrete policy measures to be implemented by the EAC Secretariat and Partner States.
The two-day 5th Annual Secretary General's Forum themed “15 Years of The EAC: Towards a Borderless Community” will discuss different topic including;
The implementation of the free movement of labour and services between the six Partner States of the EAC.
Sustainable development in relation to improving food security and agricultural value chains, localising the climate change agenda and increasing gender equality.
The promotion of local production through public procurement, especially in relation to infrastructural projects within the EAC.
The impacts of ICT in enhancing the free movement of goods and services and impact of media as enablers of stronger citizen participation in the process.
This year’s forum will see the launching of Incubator for Integration and Development in East Africa (IIDEA) as one of the key event. IIDEA was developed as a joint initiative between the EAC Secretariat, Regional Dialogue Committee (RDC) and GIZ in order to demonstrate the tangible benefits of integration to citizens. Through IIDEA, regional integration projects are proposed and implemented by civil society, private sector and interest groups.
The inclusion of private sector, civil society and interest group stakeholders through the consultative framework of the Secretary General’s Forum is key to realising the goals envisaged in the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community. Through the Annual Secretary General’s Forum, East Africa takes another step towards the vision of one people, one destiny.
The forum is being organized by the EAC Secretariat with support from GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH)
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For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
East African Community Secretariat; Arusha, Tanzania; 16 June 2017:
The Registrar of the Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals (MICT), His Worship Olufemi Elias, accompanied by Mr. Samuel Akorimo, Head of Office MICT Registry Arusha Branch and Mr. Ousman Njikam, External Relations Officer, Arusha Branch today paid courtesy call on the EAC Secretary General, Amb Liberat Mfumukeko. The Secretary General and his guests explored areas of collaboration including Peace and Security in the region.
The Secretary General briefed His Worship Olufemi Elias on the current achievements in the pillars of the regional integration and development process. He disclosed to the Registrar that the Community had expanded tremendously within a short spell of time which has necessitated a review of its institutional set-up and work on a sustainable financing mechanism.
On his part, the Registrar informed the Secretary General on the structure of MICT and explained that, the Mechanism has two branches: one in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania, which covers functions inherited from the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), Arusha Branch, and the other in the Hague, the Netherlands, which covers functions inherited from the International Criminal Tribunal for Yugoslavia (ICTY), the Hague Branch. The Arusha Branch additionally has a satellite field office located in Kigali, Rwanda ("Kigali Office”).
In addition, his Worship said that, the Mechanism is responsible for the preservation, including the management and access, of the ICTR, the ICTY, and the Mechanism archives. These archives includes; investigations documents , indictments, and court proceedings, the protection of witnesses, work relating to the detention of accused persons, the enforcement of sentences, and the Tribunals’ relationships with other law enforcement authorities in member countries.
Mr. Samuel Akorimo, Head of Office MICT Registry Arusha Branch added that with the completion of the ICTR’s mandate at the end of 2015, and the expected completion of the ICTY’s mandate at the end of 2017, further cases related to crimes committed in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia are now being tried within national jurisdictions.
Accompanying the Secretary General at the meeting was the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Finance and Administration, Hon Jesca Eriyo.
Meanwhile, the Secretary General also met the Director of the East African Local Governments Association (EALGA), Eastern Africa Regional Office, Dr Juma Menhya accompanied by his Programme Assistant, Mr Baraka Marandu who had paid him a courtesy call in his office.
The Secretary General and his guest discussed several issues including how EALGA can strengthening their advocacy and commitment with EAC and other intergovernmental bodies by establishing structured dialogue platforms.
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For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
East African Community Secretariat; Arusha, Tanzania; 16 June 2017:
The outgoing German Ambassador to the United Republic of Tanzania and the East African Community, H.E Egon Kochanke, on Thursday 15th June 2017, paid a courtesy farewell visit on the Secretary General of the East African Community, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. H.E Egon Kochanke will be returning to Germany in June 2017 after three years’ tour of duty.
Addressing the Secretary General, Amb. Kochanke, who was accompanied by Dr. Helmut Schon, the Director of KfW Office in Dar es Salaam and Bernd Multhaup, the outgoing Head of GiZ-EAC Integration Office in Arusha, said he was proud to be associated with the positive developments taking place in the regional integration agenda.
The outgoing Ambassador said he was happy to have witnessed the construction of the EAC Headquarters and its official opening by the EAC Heads of State in November 2012. The German government contributed fully to the construction of the USD18.8m office complex.
He said during his tenure, he had great interaction with the EAC Secretariat and the Executive staff that made his work easier. He said he was contented with the German contribution to the Health and Education sectors, which were very critical in the livelihood of the East African citizens.
Amb. Konchake said he was leaving the region when peace and security was improving in both Burundi and the Republic of South Sudan.
The Ambassador disclosed that the business community in Germany were now viewing the EAC as a huge market, “for example the German carmaker Volkswagen (VW) will soon set up production plant in Kenya as it looks to sell more vehicles across the entire East African region and beyond“.
On his part, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, who was accompanied by his Deputies in charge of Finance and Administration, Hon. Jesca Eriyo; in charge of Productive and Social Sectors, Hon. Christophe Bazivamo; and in charge of Planning and Infrastructure, Eng. Stephen Mlote, congratulated his guest upon his successful tour of duty and for strengthening the relations between the EAC and Germany.
“You have been the champion of the EAC integration agenda and your personal support and involvement has been very encouraging to us”, asserted the Secretary General.
Amb. Mfumukeko informed his guest that the Secretariat will continue to stream its activities focusing on a few priorities which will produce results that impact on the lives of the East African citizens.
He said the Secretariat was currently assessing the performance of the 4th EAC Development Strategy as the basis for preparing the 5th Development Strategy.
The Secretary General commended the outgoing Ambassador for being behind some of the milestones in the EAC - Fedral Republic of Germany relations during his term in office.
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Notes to Editor:
During H.E Egon Kochanke’s term in office, the Federal Republic of Germany signed an Intergovernmental Agreement with the East African Community (EAC) to support regional health programmes.
In total, 30 million euros (USD 34 million) were to be invested in vaccines and health supply chain management. German Development Cooperation was also to provide 20 million euros for the procurement of vaccines against different diseases for children in the EAC. The programme is being implemented in collaboration with GAVI. The new commitment brought Germany`s contribution to regional immunisation programmes with the EAC to 60 million euros since 2012.
Germany also made available a grant of 10 million euros to support the establishment of the EAC Regional Centre of Excellence for Health Supply Chain Management.
The Federal Republic of Germany and the East African Community (EAC) also signed a Government Agreement of 7 million euros on Tuesday, December 6th 2016. The Secretary General of the East African Community Ambassador Liberat Mfumukeko signed on behalf of the Community while His Excellency Egon Kochanke, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the United Republic of Tanzania and also accredited to the East African Community signed on behalf the Germany Government.
Out of the 7 million euros, 3 million euros (in technical assistance) was to be invested in strengthening the pandemic preparedness of the region. The project was to support the operationalization of the EAC Regional Contingency Plan and a Regional Risk and Crisis Communication Strategy.
The other 4 million euros (in technical assistance) was to be invested in an Academic Center for Digital Innovation. The project was to support the set-up of a State of the Art Master programme focusing on embedded and mobile systems at an East African University, supporting the development of a skilled labor force in East Africa.
For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
East African Court of Justice; Arusha, Tanzania; 16 June 2017:
The First Instance Division heard an inter parties Application file by Wani Santido from the Republic of South Sudan against the Attorney General of the Republic of South Sudan, the Speaker of the Parliament of South Sudan and the Secretary General of the East African Community on 15th June 2017.
He was seeking court order to restrain the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) from administering the oath of office, or otherwise recognizing nominees from the Republic of South Sudan.
The Applicant represented by Donald Deya withdrew the Application after the consent by the Representatives of the Attorney General of South Sudan (1st Respondent) and the Speaker of the Transitional Legislative Assembly of the same (2nd Respondent). The two Respondents revoked the nomination of the nine (9) members to East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) as indicated in Resolution No. 04/2017, dated 13th June 2017 and adopted by the Transitional National Legislative Assembly of the government of South Sudan.
The 1st and 2nd Respondent also committed that they will hold fresh election which will meet the requirements of Article 50 of the Treaty for the establishment of the East African Community. The Secretary General of EAC 3rd Respondent aslo committed to provide a concise legal opinion and otherwise assist the 1st & 2nd Respondents to the best of his ability to abide by the requirements of the Treaty.
On 5th June 2017, the Court granted an interim Ex- parte order pending hearing of the Inter parties’ application. committed that they will hold fresh election that will meet the requirements of Article 50 of the Treaty for the establishment of the East African Community. The Secretary General of EAC will provide a concise legal opinion and otherwise assist the 1st & 2nd Respondents to the best of his ability to abide by the requirements of the Treaty. After they reached this consent the Applicant withdrew the Application which had been eariler filed to Court seeking the Court's order restraining the East African Legislative Assembly from administering the oath of office, or otherwise recognising nominees from the Republic of South Sudan. On 5th June 2017, the Court granted an interim Ex- parte order pending hearing of the Inter partes application today. The Applicant is called Wani Santido Jada . committed that they will hold fresh election that will meet the requirements of Article 50 of the Treaty for the establishment of the East African Community. The Secretary General of EAC will provide a concise legal opinion and otherwise assist the 1st & 2nd Respondents to the best of his ability to abide by the requirements of the Treaty. After they reached this consent the Applicant withdrew the Application which had been eariler filed to Court seeking the Court's order restraining the East African Legislative Assembly from administering the oath of office, or otherwise recognising nominees from the Republic of South Sudan. On 5th June 2017, the Court granted an interim Ex- parte order pending hearing of the Inter partes application today. The Applicant is called Wani Santido Jada .Mr. Wani Santino Jada who represented himself in Court at the ex parte hearing said that on or about the 11th March 2017, His Excellency the President of the Republic of South Sudan, Salva Kiir, appointed nine (9) persons to represent the said Partner State in EALA which was in violation of Article 50 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community. The swearing-in of EALA MPs that was due to take place on 5th June 2017 was postponed by the Assembly until further notice.
Both the Applicants and the Respondents have jointly applied for adjournment of the hearing of the main Reference which was scheduled for next week Wednesday 21st June 2017, until the elections have been held. The Applicant went ahead and submitted that, they got assurance from the 1st and 2nd Respondents that they will hold elections possibly next week.
The Court accepted the consent by the Respondents and allowed to be filed in the Registry.
The Representatives for the Respondents were Mr. James Mayen Oka for the Attorney General, under the Secretary of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Mr. Alalla Younis Said Loro, Clerk of Assembly Transitional National Legislative Assembly South Sudan, Ms. Florence Ochago Principal Legal Officer and Brenda Ntihinyurwa Legal expert for the Secretary General EAC. The Applicant was also present in Court.
The matter was before a bench of the First Instance Division of the Court comprised of Justices Monica Mugenyi, (Principal Judge); Isaac Lenaola, (Deputy Principal Judge); Faustin Ntezilyayo, Judge; Fakihi Jundu, Judge and Audace Ngiye, Judge
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Notes to Editor:
Article 50 (Election of Members of the Assembly)
The National Assembly of each Partner States shall elect, not from among its members, nine members of the Assembly, who shall represent as much as it is feasible, the various political parties represented in the National Assembly, shades of opinion, gender and other special interest groups in that Partner State, in accordance with such procedure as the National Assembly of each Partner State may determine.
For more information, please contact:
Yufnalis Okubo, Registrar, East African Court of Justice. Tel: 255-27-2162149 Email Okubo [at] eachq.org East African Court of Justice Arusha, Tanzania http://www.eacj.org
About the East African Court of Justice:
The East African Court of Justice (EACJ or ‘the Court’), is one of the organs of the East African Community established under Article 9 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community. Established in November 2001, the Court’s major responsibility is to ensure the adherence to law in the interpretation and application of and compliance with the EAC Treaty.
Arusha is the temporary seat of the Court until the Summit determines its permanent seat. The Court’s sub-registries are located in the respective National Courts in the Partner States.
East African Court of Justice; Arusha, Tanzania; 12 June 2017:
The President of the East African Court of Justice Hon. Justice Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja paid courtesy call to the Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Sam Rugege and Minister of Industry, Trade and East African Community Affairs, Hon. François Kanimba of the Republic of Rwanda on Tuesday and Wenesday last week.
The purpose of the courtesy call was to establish the collaboration with the Judiciary of Rwanda through preliminary rulings of National Courts, whenever they have any matter to refer to the EACJ for Treaty interpretation and application under Article 34 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community.
His Lordship the President told the Chief Justice that there is need to strengthen this relationship by educating the Rwandan Judicial Officers (Judges, Registrars and other officers) on this provision to enable them understand and utilize it whenever a question on interpretation of the Treaty raises before any Court or tribunal in Rwanda or any other Partner State.
In addition, Justice Ugirashebuja explained the impact on the jurisprudence of the EACJ in the regional integration process.
He emphasized that, the decisions of this Court (EACJ) on the interpretation and application of the Treaty, have precedence over decisions of national Courts on similar matter as it is stipulated under Article 33 (2) of the Treaty.
Justice Ugirashebuja also informed the Chief Justice on the EACJ strategy, to hold court sessions in the Partner States as a way of bringing Justice closer to the East Africans which will at the same time enhance the visibility of the Court. He added that the Court has so far conducted its sessions in two Partner States, the Republic of Kenya and United Republic of Tanzania and therefore it should be rotational to all other Partner States as well.
The President further expressed the need of support from the Judiciary of Rwanda in providing court rooms and offices whenever there is sitting of EACJ in Rwanda. Further he thanked the Chief Justice for hosting the EACJ Sub-registry in Kigali that, it a sign of existing relationship that needs continued collaboration.
On his part the Chief Justice of Rwanda, thanked the President for having thought about collaboration with the Judiciary and finally pledged his support to East African Court of Justice in its collaboration with the national courts in particular.
His Lordship the President of the Court, while meeting the Minister of Industry and Trade, Hon. Kanimba, explained the jurisdiction of the Court which was extended to handle matters on trade and investment, pending ratification by the Partner States.
He further appealed to the Minister to follow up on the Government of Rwanda through His Excellence the President of the Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagame to speed up the ratification process and deposit the instruments for ratification to the Secretary General.
Justice Ugirashebuja also requested the Minister to champion and advocate for the Court to the Council of Ministers to end the ad-hoc nature of the services of the Judges. He further said that, because some Judges serve as judges in their national courts and therefore it might cause delays in disposing off some cases in the EACJ due to their busy schedules in their Partner States judiciaries.
In addition, the President of the Court asked the Minister, the Council of Ministers to request the Summit to determine the permanent seat of the Court as the Treaty provides under Article 47 of the Treaty.
Justice Ugirashebuja, finally called upon the Minister to table the EACJ Administration Act, to the Council of Ministers and be submitted to the President to assent to it. His Lordship further requested the Minister to facilitate the process and to ensure the Act is expeditiously assented to, so that the Court can be granted its fully Financial Autonomy.
The Minister commended the President for the initiative to visit the Ministry, to explain the role and jurisdiction of the Court in the furtherance of the EAC Integration agenda. The Minister assured him his fully support to ensure the EACJ smooth operations in delivering quality and quick justice to the East Africans, especially on the utilization of the trade and investment jurisdiction as the Partner States continue the implementation of the Customs Union and Common Market Protocols, where a number of disputes may a raise.
The President further proceeded to Nyanza, at the Institute of Legal practice to deliver a lecture on the contribution, role and jurisdiction of the Court.
The president said that the courtesy calls started in the Republics of Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, now Rwanda and the will still continue to other Partner States. The President was accompanied by the Registrar of the Court, His Worship Yufnalis Okubo and other support staff.
- ENDS -
For more information, please contact:
For more information please contact: Yufnalis Okubo, Registrar, East African Court of Justice. Tel: 255-27-2162149 Email Okubo [at] eachq.org East African Court of Justice Arusha, Tanzania http://www.eacj.org
About the East African Court of Justice:
The East African Court of Justice (EACJ or ‘the Court’), is one of the organs of the East African Community established under Article 9 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community. Established in November 2001, the Court’s major responsibility is to ensure the adherence to law in the interpretation and application of and compliance with the EAC Treaty.
Arusha is the temporary seat of the Court until the Summit determines its permanent seat. The Court’s sub-registries are located in the respective National Courts in the Partner States.
