The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) sitting in Arusha, Tanzania, yesterday, expressed its solidarity with Kenya following an al Shabaab terrorist attack that killed its troops in Somalia last week.

At a news conference on Monday, EALA Speaker Daniel F. Kidega said, EALA would like to see the EAC find permanent solution to "the despicable acts of terrorism.”

Before commencing the media briefing, lawmakers stood and observed a moment of silence in memory of the fallen members of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).

"We condemn in the strongest terms possible, the recent attack (on January 15) on the KDF camp by al Shabaab terrorists. On behalf of the Assembly and on my own behalf, I wish to express solidarity with the families of the deceased, missing and injured KDF soldiers,” Kidega said.

"The Assembly also urges the International community to equally stand with Kenya to fight against these evil forces. It should be remembered that the Republic of Kenya is yet to recover from the effects of last year’s attack by the al-Shabaab on Garissa University.”

At least 147 people, mostly students, were killed in an attack by al-Shabab militants on the university in north-eastern Kenya. Over 80 other people were injured in the attack.

During the two-week sitting, EALA will also consider other issues, including committee reports arising from various petitions forwarded to the Assembly.

Petitions are one of the ways by which the Assembly enhances collaboration with regional citizens.

Over the last few months, the Assembly received several petitions from various EAC stakeholders.

Mid last year, EALA received a petition from the EAC Youth Ambassadors Platform urging the Council of Ministers to advocate for the establishment of the East African Youth Council that would leverage representation of all youth activities at the EAC.

A second petition was forwarded by the East African Trade Union Confederation (EATUC) and East African Employers Association (EAEO), calling for streamlining of workers and residence permits in line with the implementation of the Common Market Protocol. In November 2015, the Continental Lawyers’ body, Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU), and five other regional civil society organisations also petitioned the Assembly on the deteriorating crisis in Burundi.

"All petitions are currently a priority and are under process in line with our Rules of Procedures,” the Speaker said.

He, however, admitted that the Assembly is very keen on the last petition following recent worrying developments in Burundi.

Last week, EALA’s Regional Affairs and Conflict Resolutions Committee, held a public hearing, during which it heard from the civil society and the opposition parties in Burundi.

The Speaker added, "The government of Burundi indicated its unavailability to attend and requested to be given a fresh date to present its position. I thank the Burundi government for their positive response in sending a delegation led by the Vice Chair of the Ruling Party (CNDD-FDD) to make their submissions this week.”

editorial@newtimes.co.rw