A member of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) from Kenya, Augustine C. Lotodo, has hailed Rwanda for her rapidity in implementing the fundamental principles of the East African Community (EAC) treaty.

During an assessment exercise with officials from Ministry of Justice yesterday, Lotodo said that, Rwanda and Kenya had taken the forefront in adjusting policies and laws in their countries that are in harmony with the treaty.

"Way before the Common Market Protocol was finalized, Rwanda and Kenya had already signed a no-permit agreement, which permits lawyers from the two East African countries to work in either country,” Lotodo said.

Lotodo added that the EALA Committee has scheduled the period of 8th-12th June 2010 to travel to respective capitals and interact with the ministries of justice, the members of parliament, police, prisons civil society and human rights organizations amongst others,” Lotodo said.

"The information gathered from the interactive meetings will enable the Assembly through its Committee to assess levels of compliance to the provision of the treaty,” he added.

In an interview with Valerie Nyirahabineza, a Rwandan member of parliament in the EALA, she commended President Paul Kagame for his role as the chairman of EAC, saying that the Community had realized many achievements under his tenure as chairman.

"Among other achievements, it is under the leadership of President Kagame that the Common Market Protocol was concluded and signed on time,” Nyirahabineza said. "Therefore, I am confident that East Africa will soon be enjoying the privileges of the integration.”

She noted that one of the goals of the assessment is to make sure that all East African countries can equitably benefit from the community.

"The treaty for the establishment of EAC is considered as a bible which guides all of us. Therefore all states must not breach it, but instead undertake to abide by its principles of good governance and democracy. This way, we shall all benefit greatly,” Nyirahabineza said.

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