East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 5th March, 2019: Above normal rainfall is expected in the East African region over the next few months, a scenario that could expose the region to increased risks of disease outbreaks.
This forecast is based on the regional climate outlook for the March to May 2019 long rainfall season provided by the Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum held in Entebbe, Uganda.
East African Legislative Assembly, Nairobi, Kenya: 4th March, 2019: Regional Speakers have launched the East African Parliamentary Institute (EAPI) in Nairobi, with the training outfit expected to harness capacities and narrow the skills gap of Parliamentarians and staff in the quest to further strengthen the integration process.
Speaking at the official launch on Friday last week, EALA Speaker, Rt Hon Ngoga K Martin, underscored the importance of the institute’s presence in the region, to catapult the integration process and provide a valuable link between people within the EAC and beyond. He remarked that EAPI would provide an adequate base of knowledge on legislative matters to Members of Parliament and staff who at times come from different background when they join Parliaments.
Rt Hon Ngoga lauded the regional speakers for their contribution to the process. “The launch of the EAPI is definitely an indication of the total commitment accrued to the integration dispensation by Parliaments and by yourselves. It is only befitting to recognize each and every one of you for the support you have personally and/or collectively accorded and extended to the EAPI”, Rt Hon Ngoga said.
The launch of EAPI follows the enactment of the East African Parliamentary Institute Bill, 2011, which anchors and provides for the legal framework of its establishment. The EAPI Act inter alia establishes a mechanism for capacity and skills development to promote professionalism through establishment of the institute thus giving effect to article 5 (1) of the Treaty. The Speaker lauded the EAC Heads of State for assent to the Bill, whose operationalization, now sets basis for motion of the objectives of the Institute.
According to the Act, the regional Speakers form the Board of Trustees of the new Institution which shall be chaired by the EALA Speaker while the Clerk of the regional assembly shall oversee the activities of its Governing Council. At the recent 38th Meeting of the Council of Ministers, the matter of an institutional structure was discussed and according to Rt Hon Ngoga, the Board of Trustees shall promptly propel forward the administrative framework to make EAPI fully operational.
Present at the occasion were Speaker of the Kenya National Assembly, Rt Hon Justin Muturi, Rt Hon Kenneth Lusaka, Speaker of the Senate of Kenya, the Vice President of the Senate of Rwanda, Hon Gakuba Jean d’ Arc and the Chair of the EAC Committee in Parliament of Uganda, Hon Ouma George Abbott, who represented the Speaker. The Speaker Emeritus of EALA, Rt Hon Abdirahin H. Abdi, was also in attendance.
In his remarks, Speaker of Senate of Kenya, Rt Hon Kenneth Lusaka, rallied for capacity development of legislators saying in remained critical in ensuring effective service delivery to the Parliamentary leadership, legislators and the electorate. The Speaker called for collective effort on the part of parliaments and all other stakeholders towards offering sustained commitment and unity of purpose.
On his part, Speaker of the Kenya National Assembly, Rt Hon Justin Muturi, affirmed that EAPI would be a catalyst in guiding legislators to embrace evidence-based legislation which would play a key part in ensuring quality of legislation is improved. The Vice President of the Senate of Rwanda, Hon Gakuba Jean d’ Arc hailed the inception of the Institute as visionary and said the Parliament of Rwanda was committed to ensuring it is fully in operations. Hon George Ouma Abbot of Parliament of Uganda reiterated the need for strong institutions in the integration dispensation.
EAPI was initially mooted in 2001 as a joint venture between the State University of New York (SUNY), the National Assemblies of the Partner States and EALA as well as the United States International University (USIU). At that point, the FORD Foundation offered the initial seed fund.
A key conference, bringing together senior parliamentary staff from the region took place 3 years later (in 2004) and the occasion served as an avenue to share experiences with regards to implementing change and embracing modernization in the respective legislatures. Under the new arrangement, Parliaments of the region are to largely fund the institution, a move hailed as key in its long-term sustainability.
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For more information, please contact:
Bobi Odiko Senior Public Relations Officer East African Legislative Assembly Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255-27-2508240 Fax: +255-27-2503103 Cell: +255-787-870945, +254-733-718036 Email: BOdiko [at] eachq.org Web: www.eala.org
About the East African Legislative Assembly:
The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) is the Legislative Organ of the Community and has a cardinal function to further EAC objectives, through its Legislative, Representative and Oversight mandate. It was established under Article 9 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community.
Lake Victoria Basin Commission Secretariat, Kisumu, Kenya: The 20th Nile Day Celebrations held on 22nd February 2019 in Kigali, Rwanda, featured interventions coordinated regionally by Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) in the 5 Partner States of the East African Community (EAC).
Sectoral interventions emphasized in the 20th Nile Day Celebrations included, but not limited to water security, sanitation, hygiene, sustainable water management, climate change adaptions, among others.
To fit into such sectoral discussions in Nile Day Celebrations, participants from LVBC presented and exhibited the Commission’s contributions in sustainable management of a key global water resource—Lake Victoria and the Lake Victoria Basin through programmatic interventions in the 5 Partner States of East African Community.
The LVBC programmatic interventions are in line with 5 EAC development strategy which emphasized a people-centered drives towards regional integration.
Noting the complexity of managing trans-boundary resources in most basins, delegates in Kigali Nile Basin Initiative Conference underscored effective cooperation as one of the pathways for sustainable development in the wider water basins. Consensus and cooperation have been emphasized as critical success factors for nascent and thriving regional integration by inter-state and regional based organizations.
The 20th Anniversary, delegated observed reflected commendable commitments by NBI riparian countries some of which equally constitute members of the EAC Partner States—Rwanda, Burundi, the United Republic of Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda—the host of the Nile Basin Initiative Secretariat. River Nile and Lake Victoria are natural water resources, which demand high levels of hydro-diplomacy as a strategy for unlocking existing climate change, and water resources related development challenges in riparian countries.
Eng. Innocent Ntabana, Executive Director of Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) commended the existing strategic partnership between East African Community through Lake Victoria Basin Commission and Nile Basin Initiative. Touring and exploring LVBC Knowledge Products exhibited at the 20 Nile Exhibition Conference, NBI Executive Director also informed Ministers about sectoral synergies and LVBC-NBI cooperation anchored on Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two basin-based inter-governmental regional organizations.
Delegates to the Nile Day Conference an integral activity of 20th Nile Day Celebrations reiterated the importance of inter-state cooperation, collective sharing of resource benefits, dialogue and placing water security at the center of regional transformation and sustainable development of countries in the Nile Basin.
All the above points reflected the guiding theme of 20th Nile Day Celebrations—Stronger Together—a message emphasizing sustainable future through effective management of transboundary resources such as Lake Victoria and River Nile.
Representing the Executive Secretary of Lake Victoria Basin Commission, Isaac Nyarwaya, Principal Resource Officer handed-over Lake Victoria Bain Atlas to Ministers from Nile riparian countries and other participants.
The Lake Victoria Basin: Atlas of Our Changing Environment (2017) is a Knowledge Management Product aimed at guiding policy and decision-making within the Lake Victoria Basin while also showcasing the value of EAC regional integration.
Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Water & Sanitation, Republic of Kenya, Simon Kipromo Chelugui, commended policy formulation and strategic guidance aimed at bettering lives of people in the Nile Basin at the East African Community through Lake Victoria Basin Commission.
Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary highlighted harsh climatic extremes and their associated consequences in all riparian countries of Nile as a critical challenge still barring the actualizations of development aspirations for many countries. He also recommended countries to prioritize projects and programmes of regional significance for sustainable management of shared resources—Rivers Nile, Lake Victoria and Water Towers.
Dr.Vincent Biruta, Minister of Environment, Republic of Rwanda, the guest of honor of the Nile Day Celebrations reiterated the strategic value of partnership as one of the strategies for achieving regional agendas. He called for Nile Riparian Countries to acknowledge the existence of challenges and harness new technologies to improve water use and application of Integrated Water Management Approaches to reverse water scarcity challenges.
The guest of honor also applauded the spirit of cooperation, which characterized Nile riparian countries and recommended that it should be promoted for the sustainability of achieved successes in the 20 years of NBI’s existence.
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For more information, please contact:
Dr. Willy Mugenzi, PhD. (+254) 735 39 34 34 (Kenya) (+250) 788 35 12 89 (Rwanda) This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
About the Lake Victoria Basin Commission:
Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) is a specialized institution of the East African Community (EAC) located in the City of Kisumu, Republic of Kenya and within the Lake Victoria Basin (LVB). The Commission is mandated to coordinate sustainable development and management of the Lake Victoria Basin in the 5 EAC Partner States.
Lake Victoria Basin Commission Secretariat, Kisumu, Kenya,1 March, 2019: The Republic of Uganda, which has been chairing the Joint Regional Policy Steering Committee Meetings (JRPSC) for Lake Victoria Basin, has handed over the chairmanship to the Republic of Rwanda on February, 28th 2019 in Kisumu, Kenya.
Handing the instruments of chairmanship, Alfred Okot Okidi the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water and Environment, Republic of Uganda outlined to participating delegates to JRPSC, the key achievements registered during his chairmanship. These included, but not limited to, successful completion of two mega flagship projects—Lake Victoria Water Sanitation Project phase two (LVWATSAN II) and Lake Victoria Environmental Management Project (LVEMP II).
The two regional projects have been coordinated by Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) and implemented by five East African Community Partner States. Reports from LVBC indicate that the two projects registered tangible outcomes at community levels through improved livelihoods and environmental conservation in East African Community Partner States.
Acknowledging challenges still hampering the Lake Victoria Basin, the outgoing chairperson of the JRPSC observed that consensus and moving forward with a purpose would contribute in advancing East Africa Community integration agenda through programmes and projects.
The incoming chairperson, Fatina Mukarubibi, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment Republic of Rwanda commended the good leadership of the outgoing chairperson and committed to keep the pace set by members of JRPSC and LVBC—the latter is the implementer of the decisions and directives of the former.
Mukarubibi called for adoption of innovation, effective regional coordination and working extra harder by EAC Partner States as a way of unlocking existent development challenges—climate change, water hyacinth, among others. “On climate change, we need to embrace climate adaptation measures in our long term development plans and work together,” Fatina Mukarubibi, the chairperson of RJPSC said.
LVBC Executive Secretary, Dr. Ally-Said Matano also applauded the able leadership of the outgoing chairperson and congratulated the in-coming chairperson for assuming new responsibilities of steering the policy-making forum (JRPSC) for programmes and projects in the Lake Victoria.
Dr. Matano expressed gratitude for the policy and strategic support from Principal and Permanent Secretaries and Ministers of the East Africa Community Partner States to the Lake Victoria Basin Commission. He lauded the ongoing support from development partners, specifically, World Bank, African Development Bank, KfW, EU, and USAID among others.
LVBC Executive Secretary cited Lake Victoria Bill as one of the legal and policy instruments which if enacted into law by the EALA Members of Parliament will reinforce LVBC’s resource mobilization efforts.
The host of JRPSC, Ali Noor, the Principal Secretary for Environment and Forestry, Republic of Kenya welcomed delegates to one of Kenya’s Lake Cities, Kisumu.
He commended LVBC’s use of common approaches in sustainable management of shared resources in the five EAC Partner States. He urged delegates to generate recommendations aimed at realizing the shared vision of Lake Victoria Basin.
The Kenya’s representative called for delegates to observe one minute of silence in remembrance of marine victims from two sister EAC countries—Republic of Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania.
The 8th JRPSC considered, among other things, the status of implementation of the recommendations and decisions of the previous JRPSC for Lake Victoria Basin held in April 2018 in Entebbe Uganda and other subsequent policy related meetings.
The JRPSC meeting also considered the progress reports for projects and programmes. Other pertinent issues on agenda included, but are not limited to, LVBC Resource Mobilization Initiatives—Pipeline projects and programmes.
Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) is a specialized institution of the East African Community (EAC) located in the City of Kisumu, Republic of Kenya and within the Lake Victoria Basin (LVB). The Commission is mandated to coordinate sustainable development and management of the Lake Victoria Basin in the 5 EAC Partner States.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 22nd February, 2019: The Meeting of the Chiefs/Directors of Health Services of the EAC Partner States’ Armed Forces concluded on Thursday 21st February 2019 at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The meeting was convened in accordance with Article 2 of the EAC Protocol on Cooperation in Defence Affairs and pursuant to the EAC Defence Sector Calendar of Activities for the period January - June 2019.
Heads of Delegation are as follows:-
Maj (Dr) Desire Harumukiza lead the Burundi delegation, while Brig. GK Ng’ang’a was Kenya’s Head of Delegation. Rwanda was led by Col (Dr) Chryso Kagimbana, South Sudan by Maj Gen (Dr) Peter Ajak Bulen , United Republic of Tanzania by Maj Gen (Dr) Janga, and Uganda was by Maj Gen (Dr) Ambrose Musinguzi.
The meeting discussed and shared information on health matters and reviewed the status of implementation of previous decisions of the Sectoral Council on Cooperation in Defence in regard to the health sector.
Notes to Editors
After realizing the serious risk posed by HIV/AIDS and other health threats to the EAC Partner States’ Armed Forces, the Sectoral Council on Cooperation in Defence directed that the Armed Forces initiate co-operation in Health/Medical matters.
In that regard, an operational forum for the Chiefs and Directors of the Health Services of the EAC Partner States’ Armed Forces was established to draw strategies and measures to mitigate health threats to the EAC Partner States’ Armed Forces.
At its 29th Meeting held on 26th October 2018 in Arusha, Tanzania, the Sectoral Council on Cooperation in Defence made several Decision, among them were:-
(i) EAC Secretariat was directed to constitute a Defence Expert Working Group (DEWG) to study the offer, carry out assessment and evaluate the Medical Modelling and Simulation Centre in the Republic of Rwanda and come up with modalities for sharing the facility;
(ii) The Republic of Rwanda was urged to offer the Radiotherapy Centre at Rwanda Military Hospital for joint utilization; and
(iii) Rotational meetings of the Chiefs/Directors of Medical Services of the EAC Partner States are maintained.
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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 Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 21st February, 2019: The Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil to the United Republic of Tanzania HE. Antonio A.M. Cesar today presented accreditation letter to the Secretary General of the East African Community, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko to also serve as Ambassador to the East African Community.
Amb. Cesar informed the Secretary General that his government attaches great importance to regional economic groupings such as the EAC and congratulated the EAC Secretary General for the wonderful regional initiatives.
“Count on Brazil support because the goals of the Community are excellent for the prosperity of the people in the region”, asserted the Brazilian Envoy, adding that “regional integration initiatives take time but you need to continue so as to build a strong and powerful bloc”.
He hailed the EAC as one of the fastest growing RECs in the world and said Brazil and the Southern American Common Market (MERCOSUR) of which Brazil is a member had a lot to learn from the EAC.
While receiving the Brazilian Ambassador, the EAC Secretary General hailed the existing cordial relations between the EAC and Brazil. He welcomed the support from the Brazil Government geared towards enabling the Community to achieve its ambitious agenda.
The Secretary General briefed him on the progress being registered by the Community so far that include implementation of Protocols on the Customs Union, Common Market, East African Monetary Union and Political Federation.
Amb. Mfumukeko further disclosed that the EAC Partner States had started drafting Constitution for EAC Confederation which is the model for a Political Federation that had been adopted by the Heads of State Summit.
He informed the Brazilian Ambassador that the EAC has close working relationships with other RECs in Africa which are all geared towards promoting the African Union's vision of an African Economic Community.
Present at the accreditation occasion were the EAC Deputies Secretary General in charge of Planning and Infrastructure, Eng. Steven Mlote and Hon. Christophe Bazivamo of the Productive and Social Sector.
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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 Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 20th February, 2019: The sub-committee meeting on Customs Cooperation organized by African Union Commission(AUC) together with Regional Economic Communities(RECs) is underway at the Gold Crest Hotel in Arusha, Tanzania.
The main objective of the sub-committee meeting is to exchange ideas on various Trade Facilitation activities being, undertaken by respective RECs, as well as to ensure the proper coordination of projects, programmes and activities between the Customs Departments of the RECs and the Customs Cooperation Division of the Commission.
The three-day meeting will also provide updates with regards to the adoption of the AU Wide Trade Facilitation Strategy by the relevant Policy Organs of the AU. Furthermore, meeting will identify areas of cooperation, the form of cooperation and where possible, consider undertaking joint activities.
Speaking during the official opening session Director of Trade at the EAC Secretariat, Alhaj Rashid Kibowa said the sub-committee meeting on Customs Cooperation is an opportunity for AUC and RECs to strengthening cooperation on matters regarding Customs.
He urged the participants to discuss in details matters of cooperation in Customs and come up with the way forward so as to enable proper coordination among the RECs to avoid duplication and mainly to put in good use the limited resources available.
Notes to Editor
The 8th AUC/RECs Sub Committee Meeting on Customs Cooperation meeting is organized following recommendations of the 7th AUC-RECs sub -committee held in Casablanca, Morocco in April 2018 in order to promote Trade Facilitation on the Continent.
During the 7th Meeting, the RECs presented and shared respective areas of interventions. The 7th Meeting also considered the Draft African Union Trade Facilitation Strategy, which was subsequently presented for considering by AUSCDGCs during their 10th Ordinary Session held in Moron,Comos in September 2018.
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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 Legislative Assembly, Arusha, February 19, 2018: The Isles of Zanzibar hosts the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA). The Assembly convenes for the 4th Meeting of its 2nd Session which runs from February 18th, 2019 to March 8th, 2019.
The President of Zanzibar and the Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, H.E. Dr Ali Mohammed Shein is expected to officiate at a special Sitting on February 26th, 2019. Key items at the Sitting include debate on the East African Supplementary Appropriation Bill, 2019 and the consideration of various key Committee reports.
The Assembly is further expected to receive a briefing by the EAC Secretary General on the status of EAC projects. The Sitting is also to be interspersed in Week 1 by rigorous Committee work with all 6 Committees reviewing pertinent issues that precede debate next week. The six Committees are:
the Committee on Accounts,
the Committtee on Agriculture, Tourism and Natural Resources
the Committee on General Purpose
the Committee on Regional Affairs and Conflict Resolution
the Committee on Communication, Trade and Investment, and
the Committee on Legal Rules and Privileges.
The whole House will also meet with a number of key EAC and other institutions. Two EAC Institutions, the EAC Kiswahili Commission and the Inter-University Council of East Africa (IUCEA) are on the cards. In addition, the executives of the African Palliative Care Association and the with Doris Mollel Foundation will also touch base with the Assembly to discuss matters pertinent to integration. As part of its outreach programmes, the Assembly similarly has a date with stakeholders from the Zanzibar Business Board (ZBB) and the University of Zanzibar.
The Assembly which holds six Plenary Sessions in the region every financial year, embraces the principle of rotation in a bid to create awareness of its work. Zanzibar last hosted EALA (Second Meeting of the Fifth Session of the Third Assembly) in October 2016.
NOTE TO EDITORS ABOUT EALA
The East African Legislative Assembly is the Legislative Organ of the East African Community. Its Membership consists of a total of 62, of whom 54 are elected Members (9 from each Partner State) and eight ex-officio members (the Ministers responsible for EAC Affairs from the Partner States, the Secretary General of the Community and the Counsel to the Community).
The East African Legislative Assembly has legislative functions as well as oversight of all East African Community matters. The enactment of legislation of the Community is put in effect by means of Bills passed by the Assembly and assented to by the Heads of State, and every Bill that has been duly passed and assented to become an Act of the Community and takes precedent over similar legislations in the Partner States. EALA has to date passed 80 pieces of legislation.
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For more information, please contact:
Bobi Odiko Senior Public Relations Officer East African Legislative Assembly Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255-27-2508240 Fax: +255-27-2503103 Cell: +255-787-870945, +254-733-718036 Email: BOdiko [at] eachq.org Web: www.eala.org
About the East African Legislative Assembly:
The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) is the Legislative Organ of the Community and has a cardinal function to further EAC objectives, through its Legislative, Representative and Oversight mandate. It was established under Article 9 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 19th February, 2019: The Government of the Federal Republic of Germany committed a grant of over USD 35 million (EUR 31.5 million) to the East African Community (EAC) to further support the regional organisation in the areas of health, regional economic integration and education.
The EAC Secretary General, Amb. Libérat Mfumukeko, and the German Ambassador to the EAC, Dr. Detlef Wächter, jointly signed the Agreements in Arusha today.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 18th February, 2019:The EAC Secretariat staff under the Directorate of Productive Sectors led by Director of Productive Sectors, Mr. Jean Baptiste Havugimana, conducted a one-day sensitization mission in Juba, the Republic of South Sudan (RSS).
The EAC Secretariat team comprised of senior staff drawn from the departments of Agriculture and Food Security, Energy, Industry and SMEs Development, Tourism and wildlife management, Environment and Natural Resources management. The event attracted high level policy makers and technical officers drawn from key Ministries in RSS.
In his opening remarks, the Director Productive Sectors, noted that the RSS is a valuable and strategic member of the Community in numerous ways. If sustainably exploited, resources in RSS could contribute significantly to increased trade and socio-economic development of the Community.
On his part, Mr. Leo Okwahi, Director General Ministry of Trade and Industry and East African Affairs, RSS, underscored the tremendous potential associated with Productive Sectors in the country. He thanked the EAC Secretariat for organizing the visit and for choosing this very hands-on and customized approach for South Sudan.
He observed that this kind of visit was much needed in order to try to match actions of EAC productive sectors with the real situations prevailing in those sectors on the ground in S. Sudan. He underscored the fact that the protracted civil war has led to among other many issues; loss of lives, displaced people, stopped all the activities in the productive sectors and other economic and social sectors and undermined the country’s progress since it gained independence eight years ago.
He however, expressed optimism that the peace agreement signed in 2018 was crucial for political stability and socio-economic development of the country.
During the event, EAC Secretariat team made elaborate presentations of key flagship programmes implemented under the Productive Sectors as well as backward and forward linkages across the productive sectors and other socio-economic sectors.
They highlighted in great details achievements and success stories registered so far while indicating where and how they think S. Sudan can be immediately involved to achieve quick wins.
Interactive discussions that followed the presentations focused on the benefits that the EAC integration agenda offers and how the Republic of S. Sudan can be fully engaged and integrated in the existing programmes, initiatives and projects under productive sectors.
Many observations were made during the meeting by South Sudanese experts and areas prone to quick wins in all the five sectors identified as follows;
(i) Revival of Agriculture and Livestock Sectors basing on the EAC Food and Nutrition Strategy and Action Plan. Agriculture was the main stay of the economy and the country was self-reliant in food and nutrition security until civil strife disrupted the sector. Currently, the country depends largely on imports of all sorts of food from the north Sudan, Uganda and Kenya. In addition, the huge livestock population in the country could be exploited to increase household incomes in areas such as dairy production, meat processing and hides and leather value addition.
(ii) RSS has vast energy reserves including oil. However, the energy sector is underdeveloped and under exploited. The little available electricity in Juba and other urban areas is produced using costly diesel generators. The EAC power pool and the ongoing interconnections arrangements can benefit RSS to mitigate this challenge. Solar energy can help solve much of this problem especially for urban households.
(iii) RSS is a potentially lucrative tourist destination but a lot needs to be done in development of tourist facilities and laying down the necessary infrastructure to market tourism. RSS can benefit from EAC single tourist visa arrangements and joint regional marketing interventions led by EAC.
(iv) In the area of Industrial development, there is need to pay more attention to promotion of Small Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in order to create more employment opportunities for the youth in agro processing and manufacturing. The country had a number of agro-based industry factories that were running before the war. This could be revitalized to reduce reliance on imports.
(v) Under Environment and Natural Resources Management, the first thing that can be done is the fight against lithering and Pollution. Plastics and all types of other paper waste are every where in the City of Juba. A customized awareness and fight against lithering and pollution Programme can be introduced first in the City of Juba and later on scaled up to other cities.
The one-day sensitization mission meeting ended on a high note with S.Sudanese experts committing themselves to escalate the conclusions of the meeting to their principals to ensure that EAC programmes are embraced and mainstreamed in national planning and budgeting cycles of the Republic of South Sudan.
They also committed to prioritize implementation of Summit and Council of Ministers Decisions and Directives in order to contribute towards achievements of the goals of the Community.
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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.
