Press Resleases
Incubator for Integration and Development in East Africa (IIDEA) Launched in Bujumbura
| Gender, Community Development & Civil Society
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.
The EAC Secretariat is ISO 9001: 2008 Certified
Planning Meeting ahead of Deployment of the EAC Election Observer Missions in Kenya and Rwanda underway in Nairobi
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.
The EAC Secretariat is ISO 9001: 2008 Certified
EAC Sectoral Council on Agriculture and Food Security underway in Arusha
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.
The EAC Secretariat is ISO 9001: 2008 Certified
Media contacts
Mr Florian Mutabazi
Media Coordinator
Tel: +255 (0)27 216 2100,
Ext. 11130
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