The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Thursday morning held an emotional special sitting at its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania in honour of Hafsa Mossi, the Burundian member of the regional Assembly who was assassinated last week.

She was shot and killed by unknown assailants on July 13 near her home, in eastern Mutanga, Bujumbura.

During the session, members including MP Mike Sebalu (Uganda) preferred to celebrate the deceased’s life rather than mourn.

Sebalu said: "I will not mourn, but celebrate Hafsa Mossi’s life. She has lived a short but full life. She played her part, and played it well. I celebrate her life as a minister and as a journalist of international repute.”

Elected a member of the Assembly in June 2012, Mossi was a former producer and journalist with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

Sebalu went on to eulogize her as a "diplomat per excellence” that managed even the most difficult situations and continuously carrying her trademark smile.

Mossi, a former Minister for East African Affairs in her home country, was at the time of her death, head of the Burundian delegation in EALA.

Lawmakers have, among others, pitched the idea of electing a Hafsa Mossi Foundation in memory of her legacy.

Though not yet definite, the Assembly looks set to further explore the idea and work out modalities of how to establish her mark of respect.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw