Rwanda recently elected nine representatives to the East African Legislative Assembly. On Friday the minister in charge of the East African Community affairs, MONIQUE MUKARULIZA, talked to The Sunday Times’ Frank Kagabo about steps being taken towards realising full integration.

Q. Rwanda and Burundi have now joined the East African Legislative Assembly. What is the next step from here for Rwanda in the process of EAC integration?

A. The next step after joining the EAC Legislative Assembly is the appointment of two judges to the East African court of justice. The other step will be the implementation of the Customs Union by 2009. There is also going to be a process of negotiating the Monetary Union. As for the issue of political federation, there is no decision yet.

Q. Rwanda has joined at a late stage in the integration process. Do you find any specific challenges to Rwanda in this process?

A. The challenge is in form of sensitisation of Rwandese that do not know much about the East African Community and the whole process and what it leads to. The other challenge is negotiation skills for our team in order to be able to negotiate the Customs Union. 

Q. Different countries seem to have come up with divergent views on the process of integration especially the fast tracking of the federation, with Tanzania seemingly opposed to this process. What is the position of the Rwandan government on the issue of fast tracking the federation?

A. Our position on this issue is not yet known. This is because we have just started collecting views. We will communicate when we finish the process in August this year.

Q. It appears that the whole process of EAC Integration is being handled at the intergovernmental level and among elites. What is the role of the common people in this process?

A. The common people at all levels have a role to play. In fact it is being handled at all levels and each Rwandan will be involved. At the moment we are negotiating the common market and that is why all people have to be involved because it concerns them.

Q. What has Rwanda got to offer to the East African Community countries and what are the benefits that come with full membership?

A. Rwanda has a lot to offer to the rest of the Community. Rwanda is advanced in the area of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), compared to the rest. So the rest can benefit in this area. There is also a lot Rwanda has to offer in the area of good governance, and zero tolerance for corruption.

Rwanda will also benefit from the wider market of over 120 million people in the region. There are also investment opportunities, removal of non-tariff barriers in the region, reduction of transport costs by improving the road and rail infrastructure. The free movement of people as a result of the common market will create employment.

Rwanda again will benefit from the regions’ well established education sector. There is also a lot to gain in the area of regional peace and security. The countries in the community will also stand together to defend peace and stability. It also offers social interaction and peaceful co-existence among neighbors like the border communities.

Q. So are you going to have a joint military command to ensure regional security?

A. The joint military command has been discussed at the defense level. There is a proposal to create a directorate of defence and security. This will comprise of all the member countries. It will be the mechanism through which the issue of joint military command will be discussed.

Q. Do you envisage full political federation for the EAC and if so when is it likely to be realized?

A. We envisage full integration after realizing the customs union and monetary union, and that is if the majority of the people say yes to political federation.

Q. Are we also going to have a common currency and when is it likely to happen?

A. We are likely to have a common currency by 2012. 

Q. Rwanda has a Francophone background and culture yet most EAC countries are Anglophone. Does that present any problem to Rwanda and the EAC? 

A. That does not present any problem to Rwanda and to the EAC. This is because Rwanda has both aspects. It is an advantage for the rest of the community because when we get involved in talks with other countries or blocs that are Franco-phone, we are in a better position to represent other members of the community. 

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