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Press Release

Minister urges UN Agency to pursue all perpetrators of 1994 Genocide in Rwanda

East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 3rd November, 2018: Tanzania’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Community Cooperation, Amb. Dr. Augustine Mahiga, has urged the UN International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT or Mechanism) to continue to track the last fugitives from justice of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda and to ensure the genocide does not happen again.

Amb. Mahiga said it was unfortunate that the genocide happened in Africa, adding that the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, the precursor to the Mechanism, was established in Arusha, Tanzania, to address the injustices occasioned by the genocide and ensure that it is not repeated.

Amb. Mahiga further called on the Mechanism to engage in capacity building in law, prosecution and related areas for national judiciaries and regional courts in Africa.

The Minister said that the Mechanism was a repository of information for all and a centre of excellence from which the world will continue to learn about genocide.

Amb. Mahiga was speaking at the IRMCT Grounds in Lakilaki, Arusha, during the 2nd Arusha International Organizations Open Day.

The Minister under whose docket EAC Affairs falls urged EAC Partner States to deepen cooperation in areas of good governance, human rights, democracy and social justice, adding that all protocols touching on these areas should be revisited and revitalized.

Amb. Mahiga said that issues of human rights were inseparable from the rule of law and democracy, and that this was the essence for the establishment by the African Union of the African Court for Human and Peoples Rights.

He said that there were many yawning gaps with regard to human rights in several African countries, adding that respect for human rights was a value that should be institutionalized, nurtured and passed on to future generations.

The Minister urged the media to actively carry out its role of popularizing and informing the people on what was happening in the society.

He said the government of Tanzania was cognizant of the various challenges facing the many international organizations in Arusha, adding that his Ministry would continue to work closely with them to resolve the outstanding administrative issues.

He described Arusha as the home of critical peace processes that had brought peace and stability to many countries in the region.

Speaking at the event, EAC Secretary General Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko said that the EAC would continue focusing on opening up markets to enhance trade and free movement of persons, improving the business climate to enable the development and competitiveness of the private sector and make the region an attractive investment destination, in order to spur economic growth and generate additional incomes for EAC citizens.

“Going forward, the Community has already mobilized more than US$2.5 billion in funding for various development projects in the Partner States, projects that will be implemented within the next three to five years in health, education, agriculture and other sectors,” said Amb. Mfumukeko.

In his remarks, Mr. Olufemi Elias, the Registrar of IRMCT and the host of the event, said that the diversity of the organizations that make up the international community in Arusha is what inspired international organizations to share a common objective to reinforce their connections with one another and even more importantly with the local community by offering insights into their mandates and functions in the spirit of partnership.

“As a concept, the International Organizations Open Day has generated a lot enthusiasm and excitement within participating organizations as well as the general public. This has inspired us as international organizations to increase interactions in order to bridge the gap between the international organizations and the local community,” said Mr. Olufemi.

-ENDS-

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 operationalizes 13 One Stop Border Posts

East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 2nd November, 2018The East African Community has fully operationalized and trained personnel at 13 One Stop Border Posts (OSBPs) that are aimed at the facilitating trade and free movement of goods in the region. 

The operationalization and training of personnel at the OSBPs has significantly reduced the time taken by travellers and trucks at the borders from days to about 1.5 minutes to 30 minutes on average respectively. 

The EAC with the support of TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) is finalizing the completion of the Malaba OSBP on the Kenya-Uganda border at a cost of US$7.5 million.

The Commissioner General of the Kenya Revenue Authority, Mr. John Njiraini, who briefed the media on behalf of his colleagues after a two-day meeting of the EAC Committee on Customs at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, further said that TMEA was supporting the construction of OSBPs at Elegu/Nimule (Uganda/South Sudan Border), Tunduma’Nakonde (Tanzania/Zambia) and Moyale (Kenya/Ethiopia).

“We recognize that trade is global. Therefore, as much as we smoothen the flow of trade within the EAC, we intend to ensure the flow out and into EAC bourndaries with neighbouring countries is smoothened,” said Mr. Njiraini, who was flanked by among others Commissioner General Charles Kichere (Tanzania Revenue Authority) and Dickson Kateshumbwa (Acting Commissioner General, Uganda Revenue Authority), and Mr. Kenneth Bagamuhunda, the Director General, Customs and Trade at the EAC Secretariat.

The meeting drew participation from Commissioners General and Commissioners of Customs in the EAC Partner States.

Mr. Njiraini disclosed that in order to resolve the problem of lack of information to business, Trade Information Portals (TIPs) had been installed in Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. 

“Tanzania is in the process of establishing the trade portal. The TIPs will also be installed at a later stage in Burundi and South Sudan. The link of the EAC Trade Portal is http://tradehelpdeask.eac.int,“ said the KRA Commissioner General.

“We urge businesspoeple to start using these tools and propose how procedures can be simplified. It will be developed as a regional trade facilitation index given its ability to facilitate decision making and implementation of trade reforms,” he said.

The tax chiefs noted that the Single Customs Territory (SCT) had registered remarkable benefits since its implementation in July 2014.

“So far, all imports are cleared under the Single Customs Territory Framework and clearance time has significantly reduced for both ports and Customs. Currenlty, the region is piloting undertaking exports under the Single Customs Territory,” they said.

The rollout of the export regime under SCT commenced on 20th July, 2018 on a pilot basis. The pilot run involves clearance of selected export goods through the Northern Corridor and the Port of Mombasa. As at 22nd October, 2018, the Uganda Revenue Authority, Rwanda Revenue Authority, Kenya Revenue Authority and Kenya Ports Authority were already involved in implementing the SCT exports pilot.

On Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs), the Commissioners General and Commissioners of Customs said that they were working closely to streamline the process of conducting trade in the region.

The Commissioners revealed that they were in the process of review the EAC Customs Management Act (EACCMA 2014) which has been in force since the commencement of the EAC in 2000.

“So far, the Partner States have submitted draft proposals which were considered in a meeting held on 31stJuly to 4thAugust, 2018. A lot of progress has been made through further inputs into the Partner States proposals as well as identification of new areas that require information of new regulations i.e. deployment of staff under the SCT, guidelines on the customs valuation of used items, additional export promotion schemes, and compliant trader programme,” they said.

 

-ENDS-

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

EALA swears in new Ex-Officio Member

East African Legislative Assembly, Arusha, Tanzania: October 31st, 2018:The new Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Co-operation, United Republic of Tanzania, Hon Dr Damas Ndumbaro, this afternoon took Oath of Allegiance as an Ex-OfficioMember of the Assembly.

Hon Dr Ndumbaro was sworn in by the Clerk to the Assembly at a brief ceremony witnessed by the Speaker and Members of EALA in line with the Rule 5 of the Rules and Procedures of the Assembly. The Rule 5(4) of the Rules of Procedure says in part that: “No Member can sit or participate in the proceedings of the House until the Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance to the Treaty is taken”.

Rule 5(5) specifically states that “when a Member first attends to take his or her seat other than at the first Sitting of a new House, he or she shall be brought to the table by two Members and presented by them to the Speaker who shall then administer the Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance”.

Hon Dr Ndumbaro was ushered in to the House by EALA Members, Hon Simon Mbugua, Hon Pamela Massaay and Hon Dr Ngwaru Maghembe.  EALA Speaker, Rt Hon Ngoga Karoli Martin congratulated Hon Dr Ndumbaro upon his swearing in – as he assumes his ex-officio role in the regional August House.

Hon Dr Ndumbaro was appointed to Cabinet by H.E. John Pombe Joseph Magufuli in September 2018 replacing Hon Dr Susan A. Kolimba who was dropped. The new Deputy Minister will serve in the Foreign Affairs and EAC Co-operation ministry position under Amb Dr Augustine Mahiga.

Prior to the appointment as Deputy Minister for State, East African Affairs, Hon. Dr Ndumbaro was and still is Member of Parliament for Songea Urban Constituency in Ruvuma region, United Republic of Tanzania. Hon Dr Ndumbaro, a lawyer by training is an advocate of the High Court of Tanzania and Zanzibar. He is a registered Arbitrator at the Tanzania Institute of Arbitration.

Between 2016 and 2017, Hon Dr Ndumbaro was Dean of Faulty at the Open University of Tanzania. The new Deputy Minister also served as Senior Legal Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Deputy Managing Director at the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA). His work career started at the Air Tanzania Holding Corporation where he was Legal Consultant for 3 years (2003-2006).

Hon Dr Ndumbaro holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Law obtained from the Open University of Tanzania, a Masters of Law and a Bachelor of Law, both obtained from the University of Dar es Salaam. ​

- ENDS -

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

 

EAC Partner States National Medical Laboratory Diagnostics Experts Trained on Early Detection and Diagnosis of Highly Infectious Communicable Diseases

East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 30thOctober, 2018:  A four-week long practical Training of Trainers (ToTs) course involving twelve (12) medical laboratory experts from the EAC Partner States’ National Public Health Reference Laboratories (NPHLs), concluded on Friday, 26thOctober, 2018 at the Bernharfd Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM) Headquarters in Hamburg, Germany. 

The training was conducted from 1stto 26thOctober 2018 and focused on the assembly, operation, use and field deployment of the nine High Technology EAC Mobile Medical Laboratory equipment, reagents and supplies for the early detection and diagnosis of various highly infections biological agents such as the various Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers (VHFs), namely: Ebola, Marburg, Crimean-Congo Fever, Yellow Fever, among others which are endemic in East and Central Africa. 

Currently, the EAC with technical and financial support from Germany through the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the German Development Bank (KfW) and the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM) is implementing theEast African Community Regional Network of Mobile Medical Reference Laboratories for Communicable Diseases Project.”In 2016, Germany committed an initial three-year funding of Euro 10 Million for the project. Negotiations are currently underway for additional funding of Euro 13 Million for the year 2020 and beyond.

The main objective of the EAC Mobile Medical Laboratories Project is tostrengthen capacities in all six EAC Partner States to respond to pathogens of biosafety level 3 and 4 nature and other outbreaks of highly infectious diseases that are prone to cause cross-border epidemics by rapid mobile diagnostic capacities that enable timely interventions through joint collaboration, linkages and cross-border networking among the National Public Health Reference Laboratories (NPHLs) in each of the EAC Countries. The participating NPHLs in the Partner States are: Institut National de Santé Publique (INSP), Burundi; National Public Health Laboratory Services, Kenya; National Reference Laboratory (NRL), Rwanda; Public Health Laboratory and National Blood Transfusion Centre, South Sudan; National Health Laboratory Quality Assurance and Training Centre (NHLQATC), Tanzania and Central Public Health Laboratories (CPHL), Uganda.

In addition, the EAC Mobile Laboratories Project has broad actions that include the training of various health and medical laboratory technical experts on the early detection and diagnosis of highly infectious pathogens and exchange of knowledge among Partner States at regional, national and sub-national levels, including joint disease outbreak investigations and response in cross-border areas.

-ENDS-

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

5th and Final Round of Inter-Burundi Dialogue comes to a Close

East African Community Secretariat, Arusha, Tanzania, 29th October, 2018: The 5th and Final Round of the Inter-Burundi Dialogue bringing together political parties and political actors in the Burundian conflict came to a close today at the Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge in Arusha, Tanzania.

The five-day talks were not attended by the government of Burundi and the ruling CNDD-FDD party but their views were taken in through the Kayanza Roadmap of 2018.

Prior to the talks by the political parties and actors, there had been a three-day session between the Facilitator and the alternative voices in Burundi, namely civil society, women, youth and the media.

Speaking at the closing session of the Dialogue, the Facilitator to the talks, retired Tanzanian President Benjamin William Mkapa, said that he would recommend to the Mediator and the EAC Summit to keep in mind the situation in Burundi and to engage both the Government of Burundi and the opposition to agree on the remaining points of disagreement, so that preparations on the holding of free, fair and credible elections in 2020 could be undertaken.

H.E. Mkapa hailed the participants for their dedication to the Dialogue and for producing a good quality roadmap that he said would be useful in resolving the problem in Burundi.

He further thanked the participants for being able to organise themselves and work in one group irrespective of their political affiliations.

The Facilitator said that this would be the last session he would be presiding over as the EAC Facilitator.

“In this regard, I will submit the roadmap that you have developed, the Kayanza Roadmap 2013 and that of 2018, together with a full report of the Dialogue process to the Mediator and through the Mediator to the EAC Summit for reflection on the way forward,” he said.

President (rtd) Mkapa thanked the Government of Burundi, the ruling party, opposition political parties in Burundi and outside, key political actors, civil society organisations, women, youth, media, religious groups and the international community for participation in and support for the Dialogue that started in 2016.

“Also, I wish to thank the Special Envoys of the International Contact Group for their concerns and interactions. Special thanks go to EAC, the AU, UN, EU and others for their financial support so far,” he said.

 

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The Summit of EAC Heads of State in 2015 appointed Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni as the Mediator in the Burundian conflict. The Summit also appointed retired Tanzanian President Benjamin William Mkapa as the Facilitator to the Burundi Dialogue.

The Kayanza I Roadmap was a UN sponsored initiative that sought to tackle issues surrounding the 2015 general election. It brought together government and other stakeholders including the ruling party and opposition parties.

Kayanza II (2018) Roadmap is largely a roadmap by government and the ruling CNDD-FDD Party towards the 2020 election.

The internal and external opposition groups who not party to Kayanza II roadmap met in Entebbe, Uganda in September 2018 and came up with the Entebbe Roadmap to the 2020 election in Burundi.

It is these documents that the Facilitator wanted the participants in the 5th Dialogue to combine into a common roadmap to the 2020 election that the Facilitator will present to the Summit of EAC Heads of State.

-ENDS-

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

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS: 9th East African Petroleum Conference & Exhibition 2019 (EAPCE'19)

EAC logo web adverts
EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

 

9TH EAST AFRICAN PETROLEUM CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION 2019 (EAPCE'19)

THEME:  "East African Region: The Destination of Choice for Oil and Gas Investment Opportunities to Enhance Socioeconomic Transformation"

 DATES: 08 - 10 May 2019

THE CONFERENCE:

The East African Community (EAC) comprises of six Partner States namely Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda with a combined population of over 168 million. The broad goal of EAC is economic, social and political integration so as to create wealth in the region and enhance competitiveness through increased production, trade and investment. Thus, the EAC seeks to improve the quality of life for the people of East Africa through its mission of widening and deepening integration and a vision of a prosperous, competitive and politically united East Africa.

Given the importance of energy in realizing this vision, the EAC Partner States have agreed to cooperate in joint exploration and development of energy resources found within the Community and to promote investment within the sector. The EAC Partner States seek to promote exploitation of both renewable and non-renewable energy sources in the most optimal way for the mutual benefit of East Africans.

The East African Petroleum Conference and Exhibition offers a wide range of technical presentations reflecting developments in the oil and gas industry in East Africa and around the world. The Conference provides a forum for discussing the legal and policy framework and the overall business environment prevailing in the region. It gives stakeholders in the oil and gas sector an opportunity to interact with EAC senior government officials and decision makers.

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

Abstracts are invited on the range of topics outlined below. Presenters should submit an abstract of not more than 500 words in length using Times New Roman font type of size 12, with 1.5-line spacing.

EAPCE'19 Conference Topics:

A: Exploration and Development

  1. Licensing regimes
  2. East African Rift Basins
  3. iii. East African Coastal Basins
  4. Offshore Exploration Opportunities
  5. Exploration in inland Basins
  6. Petroleum Data Management

B: Commercialization and Infrastructure Development

  1. Meeting the Regional petroleum needs
  2. Crude Oil and Refines Petroleum Products Pipelines
  3. iii. Exploring on Exportation and Refining Options for Crude Oil
  4. Natural Gas and LPG Infrastructure development
  5. Oil and Gas to Power Projects

C: Economic and Financial Aspects of Petroleum Projects

  1. Field Development and Reservoir Management
  2. Financing of Oil and Gas Projects
  3. iii. Oil and Gas Markets and Impact of global prices
  4. Petroleum Fiscal Regimes

D: Cross Cutting Issues

  1. Managing Health, Safety & Environmental (HSE) and Social Impacts on Oil and Gas Operations
  2. Local Content - Capacity Building, Goods and Services in the Oil and Gas Industry
  3. iii. Policy, legal and Regulatory Framework
  4. Technological Advancement
  5. Petroleum Revenue Management and Governance
  6. Supporting Infrastructure for Oil and Gas Development
  7. vii. Managing Stakeholder Expectations


ABSTRACT SUBMISSION

All submitted abstracts must focus on the conference theme and topics.

The author’s biography and a passport size photograph must accompany each Abstract.

Biographies shall be limited to 150 words and shall be written using complete sentences in the 3rd person and should contain information on position, career history, education and professional achievements.

Multiple abstract submission is PERMITED

Abstracts submission will be done online through the EAPCE'19 website, www.eapce19.eac.int.

The submission platform will close at midnight 31st December, 2018 GMT+3.

Important Conference Dates:

Event

 

Date

Open Submissions of Abstracts

 

1 October 2018

Open Registration

 

30 October 2018

Abstract Submission Deadline

 

31 December 2018

Notification of Acceptance

 

28 February 2019

Exhibition Booth Hire Deadline

 

30 April 2019

Conference Start

 

8 May 2019

Conference End March

 

10 May 2019

For more information on EAPCE’19, visit the conference website: www.eapce19.eac.int

-ENDS-

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

Preparations in High Gear for the 9th East African Petroleum Conference and Exhibition 2019

East African Community Secretariat, Arusha, Tanzania, 26th October, 2018:The 9th East African Petroleum Conference and Exhibition 2019 (EAPCE’19) will be held from 8th to 10th May, 2019 at the PrideInn Paradise Beach Resort, Convention Center and Spa in Mombasa, Kenya.  

 The conference organized by the East African Community (EAC) Secretariat and the EAC Partner States is expected to attract more than 1,000 participants.

The 2019 edition of the biennial conference under the theme, East African Region: The Destination of Choice for Oil and Gas Investment Opportunities to Enhance Socioeconomic Transformation, aims at promoting the region’s petroleum potential and investment opportunities. The last eight Petroleum Conferences have proven a valuable forum for governments and petroleum industry players from around the world to dialogue.According to the EAC Secretary General, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, while the conference provides a forum for dialogue for all players in the Petroleum industry regionally and internationally, the 2019 edition of the Conference is also in line with the EAC Vision 2050 that aims to transform the region into an upper-middle income region by the year 2050.

"Energy is one of the vital infrastructure 'enablers' of EAC Vision 2050 and the level and intensity of commercial energy use in the region is a key indicator of the degree of economic growth and development,” added the Secretary General.

Held since 2003, the East African Petroleum Conferences have provided increasing awareness of the potential for petroleum production in the region and other important issues in the petroleum sector, including technological advancements in exploration, development and production.

Delegates can expect high quality technical presentations, exhibitions from a wide spectrum of players from the petroleum sector. The conference programme integrates field excursions to selected sites in each Partner State for delegates to see the rich geological variety that the region possesses as well as the tourist attractions that the region is well known for.

EAPCE'19 will take place at a time when the EAC has embarked on a journey to implement the Vision 2050. The objective of the energy sector development under the EAC Vision 2050 is to ensure sustainable, adequate, affordable, competitive, secure and reliable supply of energy to meet regional needs at the least cost. By 2050, the region’s target is to transform the energy landscape to be characterised by efficient distribution of petroleum products with sufficient strategic reserves.


Important Conference Dates:

Event

Date

Open Submissions of Abstracts

1stOctober, 2018

Open Registration

30thOctober, 2018

Abstract Submission Deadline

31stDecember, 2018

Notification of Acceptance

28thFebruary, 2019

Exhibition Booth Hire Deadline

30th April, 2019

Conference Start

8th May, 2019

Conference End                                                                                                               March

10th May, 2019

For more information on EAPCE’19, visit the conference website: www.eapce19.eac.int

 

-ENDS-

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

Mechanism and other International Organizations based in Arusha welcome the public to the Arusha International Organizations Day

 

The International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (Mechanism) and other international, regional and sub-regional organizations in Arusha, including the African Court for Human and Peoples’ Rights, the African Institute of International Law; the African Union Advisory Board on Corruption, the East African Community and its Organs and  Institutions, the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community, the Eastern and Southern African Management Institute, and the Pan African Postal Union, will host the second Arusha International Organizations Open Day on Saturday, 3 November 2018.

Similar to last year, this year’s event will take place from 10:00 to 17:00 at the premises of the Mechanism at Lakilaki, Arusha, Tanzania.During the Open Day, the public will have the opportunity to listen to welcoming speeches from Mechanism Judge William H. Sekule, the Heads of the International Organizations, and from the guest of honour, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation of the United Republic of Tanzania, the Hon. Dr. Augustine Mahiga, or his representative, as well as from the Regional Commissioner for Arusha and the Lord Mayor of the city of Arusha.

Following these speeches, there will be a variety of presentations through the course of the day at the courtroom and the stands of the respective international organizations.As part of the programme, presentations will be given by representatives of the Mechanism, including by Judge Sekule.

In addition, documentaries produced by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) will be screened, including the documentaries entitled “Justice Today” and “The Path to Reconciliation.

The public will also have the opportunity to visit an exhibition at the library about the rich archives of the ICTR and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.

There will also be a medical team present to conduct free medical check-ups, as well as a children’s corner with activities for the younger visitors.

The Arusha International Organization’s Open Day is an annual event which aims to provide the general public with an opportunity to learn more about the mandate and functioning of the various international institutions based in Arusha. Snacks and refreshment will be served. 

Getting to the IRMCT

 The easiest way to get to the Mechanism by public transportation will be as follows:

Route 1: Njiro – Kijenge – City Center – Nairobi Road Junction – Lakilaki, Kisongo 
Pick-up Points 

i.        Arusha Institute of Accountancy
ii.        Impala Roundabout 
iii.        Clock Tower Roundabout 
iv.        Nairobi Road Junction – Lakilaki, Kisongo

Route 2: Sakina – Fortes – Majengo – Cultural Heritage – Lakilaki, Kisongo
Pick-up Points 

i.        Technical College 
ii.        Fortes 
iii.        Cultural Heritage – Lakilaki, Kisongo

Route 3: Kimandolu Cette Garden – Sanawari – Regional Commissioner’s Office – Benson Shop – Lakilaki, Kisongo
Pick-up Points 

i.        Kimandolu Cette Garden 
ii.        Phillips 
iii.        Sanawari 
iv.        Clock Tower Roundabout – Lakilaki, Kisongo

Route 4: Ngaramtoni ya juu – Majengo – Dodoma Road – Lakilaki, Kisongo
Pick-up Points 

i.        Ngaramtoni ya  juu 
ii.        Majengo 
iii.        Majengo/Dodoma Road junction

 

-ENDS-

For more Information Contact:

Saida Joy Kessy, 
External Relations,
 Arusha Branch, UN International  Residual  Mechanism  for Criminal Tribunals,
(Mechanism) IRMCT 
Haki Road, Plot No. 486 Block A, Lakilaki Area, Arumeru District, P.O. Box 6016,|Arusha, Tanzania |Office B-031,
Tel: +1 212 963 2850 Ext 5013 (via New York); 179-5013,
Direct: +255 27 256 5013/+255767466696 (international)
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

5th and Final Round of Inter-Burundi Dialogue Begins

East African Community Secretariat, Arusha, Tanzania, 25th October, 2018:The 5th and Final Round of the Inter-Burundi Dialogue bringing together political parties and political actors in the Burundian conflict started today at the Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge in Arusha, Tanzania.

Speaking at the opening session of the Dialogue, the Facilitator to the talks, retired Tanzanian President Benjamin William Mkapa, urged the participants to take advantage of the various roadmaps and come up with a roadmap that would incorporate basic principles for holding free and credible elections in 2020.

“Take note of the Kayanza Roadmap of 2018 and the Entebbe Roadmap of 2018 and the fact that the roadmaps are not consensual,” said President (Rtd) Mkapa.

The government and the ruling CNDD-FDD party came up with the Kayanza (II) 2018 Roadmap while the Entebbe 2018 Roadmap is a product of the country’s internal and external opposition groups.

President (Rtd) Mkapa said that his team would develop a roadmap based on the Kayanza Roadmap 2018 and the Roadmap that would be produced by the participants at the ongoing meeting.

The Facilitator expressed his displeasure at the failure by the government of Burundi to attend the 5th and Final Dialogue even though invitations were sent out to participants for the Dialogue to be held from 19th – 24th October, 2018.

“The Government requested the Dialogue to be postponed to begin from 24thOctober, 2018 onwards. The request was accepted and the Dialogue was scheduled to be held from 24th – 29th October, 2018,” he said.

The Facilitator disclosed that the Government requested again for the Dialogue to be postponed to November 2018, and asked the Facilitator to share beforehand the list of participants.

“The Government further proposed that the agenda of the Dialogue be discussions of the 2018 Kayanza Roadmap. The Facilitator could not accept such demands and excuses hence proceeded to arrange the Dialogue be held,” said President Mkapa.

“To date, there is no formal notification from the Government of Burundi on attendance,” he added. 

The Facilitator urged the participants to work on a consensual roadmap to be submitted to the Summit of EAC Heads of State for consideration.

The Facilitator disclosed that the 19th Ordinary Summit of the EAC Heads of State held in Kampala, Uganda on 23rd February, 2018, expressly directed him to ensure “convergence and expeditiously conclude the Inter-Burundi Dialogue.”

He said that his intentions to expeditiously conclude the dialogue was affected by the Government of Burundi’s decision to postpone any activity related to the Dialogue until such time after the Referendum. The Referendum was held on 17thMay, 2018 and the new Constitution of Burundi was promulgated on 17th June, 2018.

After the promulgation of the Constitution, the Facilitator directed the Facilitation Team to consult with the Government of Burundi, political parties, the external opposition, civil society, youth, women, religious groups and media on the holding of the 5th Session and the possible agenda.

After the consultations, the Facilitator arrived at the view that there was a general consensus amongst most stakeholders on the need to continue with the Inter-Burundi Dialogue under the auspices of the EAC, so as to provide a platform for the Barundi to discuss pending issues and prepare a roadmap for 2020 elections.

The Facilitation Team advised the participants to consider for thematic areas in coming up with a roadmap to the 2020 general election, namely: Political Issues; Electoral Issues; Socio-economic Issues, and; Security Issues.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The Summit of EAC Heads of State in 2015 appointed Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni as the Mediator in the Burundian conflict. In 2016, the Summit also appointed retired Tanzanian President Benjamin William Mkapa as the Facilitator to the Burundi Dialogue.

The Kayanza I Roadmap was a UN sponsored initiative that sought to tackle issues surrounding the 2015 general election. It brought together government and other stakeholders including the ruling party and opposition parties.

Kayanza II Roadmap is largely a roadmap by government and the ruling CNDD-FDD Party towards the 2020 election.

The internal and external opposition groups who were not party to Kayanza II roadmap met in Entebbe, Uganda in September 2018 and came up with the Entebbe Roadmap to the 2020 election in Burundi.

It is this documents that the Facilitator wants the participants in the 5th Dialogue to combine into a common roadmap to the 2020 election that the Facilitator will present to the Summit of EAC Heads of State.

-ENDS-

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

Government of Burundi yet to confirm its participation in 5th round of Inter-Burundi Dialogue

East African Community Secretariat, Arusha, Tanzania, 24th October, 2018: The government of Burundi was by Wednesday evening yet to confirm its participation in the 5th and final round of the Inter-Burundian Dialogue that is aimed resolving the conflict in the country.

Amb. David Kapya who briefed the media on behalf of the Facilitator, retired Tanzanian President Benjamin William Mkapa, said that there had been no confirmation from the government of Burundi on whether they attend the talks or not.

The talks that are being held at the Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge near Arusha, Tanzania have the goal of arriving at consensual roadmap towards the 2020 general election in Burundi.

The 5th and Final Round of the Burundi Dialogue, which will go up to 29thOctober, 2018, will involve the Facilitator engaging political parties and political actors in arriving at the roadmap.

Amb. Kapya, a Senior Adviser to the Facilitator, said that retired President Mkapa had so far engaged with international actors to seek their assistance in bringing all the parties to the negotiation table.

 

NOTES TO EDITORS:

 The Summit of EAC Heads of State in 2015 appointed Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni as the Mediator in the Burundian conflict. In 2016, the Summit appointed retired Tanzanian President Benjamin William Mkapa as the Facilitator to the Burundi Dialogue. 

-ENDS-

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

 


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

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