The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) will hold its sitting in Arusha, Tanzania, next week, with the EAC Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Bill top on agenda as well as reports from various committees following deliberations with key stakeholders in the integration process.

The Bill aims to provide a legal framework at regional and national level for timely intervention in disaster situations and to protect the people and the natural environment affected by disaster through comprehensive disaster risk reduction and management.

Early last year, during a similar sitting Kampala, Uganda, the third reading of the Bill was adjourned at the request of the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers, citing the need to consult the relevant provisions of the Treaty and to allow for pursuit of the ratification of the EAC Protocol on Peace and Security which provides for co-operation in DRR management and crisis response.

In August 2013, the Council of Ministers moved a motion seeking to take over the Bill from the original mover, MP Patricia Hajabakiga (Rwanda), make appropriate amendments and initiate its re-introduction as a Council of Ministers’ Bill.

Burundi still on Assembly’s radar

The unrelenting humanitarian situation in Burundi is also expected to be a matter of discussions at EALA should the Regional Affairs and Conflict Resolution Committee complete and present its Report on the Petition by the Pan-African Lawyers Union (PALU) concerning the political situation in Burundi. 

Last week, the Committee held a public hearing workshop in Arusha where it listened to the PALU petition as well as to the contributions by other stakeholders comprising representatives of Civil Society Organisations and opposition parties in Burundi. 

On Monday, the committee is expected to listen to representatives of the Government of Burundi who requested to be considered to appear before it after January 18. Thereafter, it will retreat to prepare its report to the Assembly for debate.