21ST MEETING OF THE SECTORAL COUNCIL OF MINISTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR EAC AFFAIRS AND PLANNING CONCLUDES IN KIGALI

The 21st Meeting of the Sectoral Council of Ministers responsible for EAC Affairs and Planning (SCMEACP) has just concluded at the Lemigo Hotel in Kigali, Rwanda.

Ms. Anne Waiguru Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary Devolution and Planning, who chaired the meeting, reminded delegates that the people of East Africa were expecting to access tangible benefits out of the investment the Partner States continue to put in the EAC integration process and therefore the Sectoral Council was to ensure that the agreed commitments are effectively implemented.

Amb. Dr. Richard Sezibera Secretary General of the East African Community emphasized the role of the Sectoral Council in monitoring and ensuring that the Community projects and programmes were carried in a timely manner for the benefit of the people of East Africa.

The Secretary General and the Chairperson of the meeting conveyed the Community’s deep condolences to the former Registrar of the East African Court of Hon. Justice Professor John Eudes Ruhangisa for the loss of his wife, Mrs Laetitia Ruhangisa, who was involved in a fatal road accident on 29th October 2014 in Arusha, Tanzania.

The Sectoral Council urged the Sectoral Council on Legal and Judicial Affairs to finalize harmonization of work/residence permit for East Africans.

The Secretariat was directed to prioritize outstanding Council Decisions and ensure that they factored in the budget.

Among other things, the Sectoral Council approved the revised roadmap for the Institutional Review, which run from October 2014, and ends in April 2015.

Taking note of the report of the Forum of EAC Human Rights Commission, the Sectoral Council adopted the 2nd Revised EAC Plan of Action of Protection and Promotion of Human Rights for implementation and; directed the Secretariat to initiate the development of a draft comprehensive EAC Policy Framework for protection of Human Rights in extractive industries.

On issues of corruption the Sectoral Council took note of the initiative the Partner States have undertaken in the fight against corruption and recommend the Sectoral Council on Legal and Judicial Affairs to expedite conclusion of the EAC Draft Protocol on Preventing and Combating Corruption by June 2015.

The Secretariat reported 69 NTBs were cumulatively resolved where as 24 Non-Tariff Barriers were unresolved and 8 Non-Tariff Barriers were reported as new.

The Sectoral Council approved the road map of the implementation of the EAC Video conferencing project, and directed the Secretariat to develop a comprehensive Operational Manual for the project.

On issues to dealing with Youth, the Sectoral Council directed the Secretariat to develop guideline that will ensure participation from a wide range of Universities taking account the principle of gender balance.

The meeting was attended by Hon. Capt (Rtd) George Mkuchika MP, Minister of State Presidents office, Good Governance of the United Republic of Tanzania; Hon, Leontine Nzeyimana Minister to the Office of the President Responsible for EAC Affairs Republic of Burundi; Hon. Amb. Rugwabiza Valentine Minister, Ministry of East African Community Republic of Rwanda; and Hon. Shem Bagaine Minister of State Ministry of East African Community Affairs Republic of Uganda. Other Ministers were also in attendance.