KIGALI - The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) General Purpose Committee will next week meet representatives of the East African Youth Network where discussions will be held specifically focusing on the adoption of the draft East African Youth Council, the Speaker of EALA; Abdirahin Abdi said yesterday.

Abdi was addressing journalists to kick-start the beginning of the 12 working days that the EALA will spend in Rwanda discussing several topics including elections, regional affairs and conflict resolution, trade and investment among others.

"The EALA General Purpose Committee is expected to meet representatives of the EA Youth Network on the afternoon of April 19 to discuss the advancement of the youth agenda,” he said

Abdi told members of the media that in the course of the twelve working days, the Communication, Trade and Investment Committee, the Accounts Committee and the General Purpose Committee, will also hold a joint meeting on the Accra Agenda for Aid Effectiveness. 

He recognised the government’s efforts towards rebuilding the country 16 years since the Genocide against the Tutsi.

"We are determined to develop legislations that will not only strengthen regional institutions but that will also go a long way to enshrine the rule of law and ward off the temptation of future turmoil in the region,” he said.

Abdi reminded journalists of EALA duty and relevance and its benefit to the region.

"As we legislate for the region, we pride in consolidating the gains we have collectively achieved as a region and it is important to note that the laws we pass are binding on the EAC partner states”

"All the laws enacted by the EALA have the full force and take precedence over similar laws in partner states on matters related to the community,” he said.

While in Rwanda, the EA MPs will participate in series of events geared towards honouring those who lost their lives during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

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