The minister for East African Community (EAC) has announced that the country is preparing the first ever retreat that will bring together all organs under the regional bloc.

This is a milestone and an indication that Rwanda had plenty to take to the EAC because this immeasurable initiative has been unheard of in the bloc’s history of almost three decades.

As explained by the minister, never has there been a forum where all players in the grouping have come together to lay strategies that will help them work towards a common goal. Initially entities were meeting separately which is something that may lead to duplication of efforts.

But as President Kagame promised last year—a promise he has subsequently lived up to—there was dire need to sit and exchange views on how to strengthen our resolve and commitment to forging a common purpose.

Most complaints have come up at different forums. For example the EALA, the legislative arm of the five-state bloc, saying that there was lack of consistent supervision of the Secretariat by the Council of Ministers, such issues have to be discussed at a forum like this to collectively come up with a remedy that is generally agreed upon.

It is a good thing that even the business players like the Lake Victoria Fishing Organisation, among others, are put on board during this retreat because the Private Sector as the major force behind our economy cannot be left behind.

Lets then look forward to a resolution from the Kigali retreat that is slated for 9 and 10 next month that this forum will not be a one off but rather an event that is periodically held.

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