Deepening the integration agenda

In its very ordinary and mundane sense, members of the East African Legislative Assembly swore ‘to protect and defend’ all matters pertaining to the integration of the East African Community. Put in the strict parlance of the Treaty, that means ‘to widen and deepen’ the integration agenda. That some members of the same Assembly will retreat to their respective national cocoons to a point where they will abstain from a plenary session in one partner state because of perceived political differences certainly brings into disrepute the very essence of their mandate. The Burundi MPs who recently wrote to the EALA Speaker indicating that they will not attend the session in Kigali that started earlier this week, citing alleged security concerns were themselves more pandering to subsumed political differences between the two neighbours/partner states than otherwise. This is not in keeping with the spirit of the Assembly’s independence and expectations as unifying tool than one of sheer division and acrimony. Coincidentally, it was this same Assembly at a previous sitting in Kigali that stood up for four Burundi MPs who were illegally recalled by their national parliament before the completion of their term. I had the honour to move the popular motion as an illustration of the camaraderie, collegiality and team spirit there exists in the House. Besides, critics of EALA would easily point to the apparently endless rancour over the position of Speaker of the Assembly following the unceremonious ouster of Margaret Nantongo Nzziwa two years ago and her renewed claim that she has been reinstated through a recent ruling of the East African Court of Justice. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, the Court’s ruling, particularly on the matter of Mrs. Nzziwa’s prayer for reinstatement was both categorical and unambiguous that it was superfluous and since overtaken by events. The ruling may have questioned the processes employed by the Assembly in managing the impeachment and subsequent ouster but did not in any event amount to an order for return to the helm. The two separate events have lately placed the regional Assembly on the spot. Whilst it is quite understandable for critics to question the need and value of the Assembly at this point in time of the integration phase, there are nonetheless numerous manifest reasons that will underscore the centrality of the Assembly in EAC. Despite all these, EALA managed to chalk up very impressive achievements, especially considering the short time that it settled to work. The election of Speaker Dan Fred Kidega enabled stability to return to the Assembly. As the Third Assembly winds down on its tenure in the next couple of months, a fresh and focussed leadership have returned the desired normalcy and Members have cooperated in safeguarding the integrity of one of the most important supranational institutions in which the population of the region has come to look up to drive the economic development of the region. Over the past five years, EALA has passed 27 bills. Many of these are currently undergoing assent by the Heads of State of the member countries. Such bills, which have a major impact on the lives of the citizens of the region, include, EAC Elimination of Non-Tariff Barriers Bill, EAC Co-operative Societies Bill, EAC Persons with Disabilities Bill, the EAC Customs Management Bill and the EAC Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Bill, amongst others. During the period, the Assembly also debated, approved and passed close to 80 reports. In addition, it adopted 63 key resolutions, including one recognising Kiswahili as one of the official languages of the Community. Further, EALA received and adopted five petitions. A particularly significant one led to the public hearing on the deteriorating human rights and humanitarian situation in Burundi. Over the last few months, the Assembly achieved an important milestone when it began working to bring probity and integrity in the activities of the EAC by enhancing its oversight of the programmes and projects of the Community. Tellingly, the Assembly has lately questioned the shady deals at the Secretariat, especially those revolving around irregularities in the procurement, recruitment and other matters of public interest. It called on the Council of Ministers to enhance its political supervision over the EAC Secretariat. The outgoing Assembly has laid an important foundation for the incoming one to build on. Much more needs to be done, but they will definitely inherit an Assembly with an enhanced stature, willing and able to flex its muscle to attain the aspirations of the Community. These are certainly no mean achievements given the many challenges the Assembly has been faced with. But it is therefore incumbent upon the incoming Assembly to speak with the same voice across all levels, regional and partner states’ allegiances notwithstanding. EALA must continue to be strong and lead the integration process. Secondly, the implementation of the Protocols has been way below par. The Assembly needs to take its place, and perhaps enact relevant legislation that shall anchor the said protocols. Only then can the people of East Africa look to the future with confidence, and an assurance that the integration process is right on course, enhanced and strengthened. The writer is a member of the East Africa Legislative Assembly, representing Kenya

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Deepening the integration agenda