The East African Legislative Assembly (Eala) sitting in Arusha on Wednesday passed a resolution to form a select committee that will conduct a study into matters of genocide in the region and beyond.

A resolution moved by MP Abubakr Ogle (Kenya), and unanimously supported by the House, gave a green light to the Eala Commission to create a team of seven members, with at least one member from each partner state. 

Due to report back in three months, the members of the committee shall, among others, look at the security ramifications of genocide ideology and attempts to deny or minimise the scale and severity of genocide.

Yesterday, the final day of Eala’s latest ordinary sitting, MP Patricia Hajabakiga (Rwanda), told The New Times from Arusha that the development is an indication that the August House "is back on track” after a tumultuous 2014 which saw former speaker Margaret Zziwa impeached.

The motion to consider how to mitigate genocide ideology and denial had been mooted way back in 2013 but it was delayed and never put on the order paper for debate.

"This select committee will need resources to conduct thorough and detailed research not just on Rwanda or the region but the entire world since genocide is a matter of international concern,” said the Rwandan representative.

"We hope they will be able to give recommendations both to Eala and to the Summit (organ of the EAC Heads of State) on how genocide and genocide ideology can be stopped.”

Bobi Odiko, Eala’s senior public relations officer, said the Commission will select the seven members of the select committee by mid February.

According to an Eala statement, the select committee is also charged with devising ways and means of combating, outlawing and preventing genocide.

It shall make proposals on how Eala and other EAC institutions can provide leadership in the fight and prevention of genocide. 

This should include the development of instruments and institutional capacity in the EAC.

Genocide researcher Tom Ndahiro, told The New Times that what Eala has done is similar to what a good doctor does – make a diagnosis before prescribing medicine to treat a dangerous ailment.

 "They are diagnosing the cause of genocide ideology and by doing so, the killer disease can be ably treated. It (genocide ideology) exists and we hope this committee will be able to expose those who harbour such a dangerous ideology,” he said.

"These MPs are doing this not only for the benefit of the present generation but for a better future.”

The Summit of the EAC is, among others, responsible for reviewing  the state of peace, security and good governance in accordance with the EAC Treaty (Article 11).