FOURTH EALA SET TO BE INAUGURATED ON MONDAY

Members’ oath of allegiance and election of Speaker top the agenda

                                                                                                                                  

Parliament of Kenya late Thursday elected its nine representatives to the regional Assembly, setting stage for the inauguration of the 4th Assembly on December 18th, 2017, in Arusha, Tanzania.  

Top on the agenda during the week-long 1st Sitting of the 1st Session of the 4th Assembly, is the swearing-in of Members, election of the Speaker and that of Members to the EALA Commission as well as the constitution of various Committees.    

   

The nine elected nominees to EALA from Kenya are Hon Simon Mbugua, Hon Florence Jematiah, Hon Mpuri Aburi, Hon Aden Noor and Hon Wanjiku Muhia. Other members are Hon Oburu Odinga, Hon Kennedy Kalonzo, Hon Abdikadir Aden and Hon Fatuma Ibrahim.

The 3rd Assembly wound up its tour of duty on June 4th, 2017 and was expected to have commenced on June 5th 2017.   However by then, only Parliament of Uganda, Parliament of Tanzania, Parliament of Burundi and Parliament of Tanzania had finalised the processes. 

The Transitional National Legislative Assembly of South Sudan on its part, had to repeat its elections following an application filed at the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) by a citizen of the country, Mr Wani Salantino challenging the process.   The Parliament revisited the issue and held fresh elections on August 3rd, 2017, before filing the names with EALA.

Parliament of Uganda was the first House to elect Members to the regional Assembly on March 1st, 2017. Their 9 Member team consists of three returning incumbents, Hon Susan Nakawuki, Hon Fred Mukasa Mbidde and Hon Chris Opoka.   The new faces to EALA are Hon Rose Akol, Hon Mathias Kasamba, Hon Mary Mugyenyi and Hon Paul Musamali. Others are Hon Dennis Namara, and Hon George Stephen Odongo.

Parliament of Tanzania returned Hon Adam Kimbisa and Hon Maryam Ussi from the 3rd Assembly. The newcomers include Hon Josephine Lemoyan, Hon Happiness Lugiko, Hon Pamela Maassay, Hon Dr Ngwaru J Maghembe, Hon Dr Abdullah Makame, Hon Eng. Habib Mnyaa and Hon Fancy Nkuhi.

Parliament of Rwanda’s list submitted to EALA in May 2017, includes Hon Pierre Celestin Rwigema, Hon Martin Ngoga, Hon Gasinzigwa Oda and Hon Kalinda Francois Xavier, all who previously served in the 3rd Assembly. New faces include Hon Alex Bahati, Hon Fatuma Ndangiza, Hon Rutazana Francine, Hon Barimuyabo Jean Claude and Hon Uwumukiza Francoise.

Parliament of Burundi on their part elected Hon Jean Marie Muhirwa, Hon Leontine Nzeyimana, Hon Ahingejeje Alfred, Hon Burikukiye Marie Claire, Hon Burikukiye Victor, Hon Karerwa Mo-Mamo, Hon Nduwayo Christophe, Hon Rurakamvye Pierre Claver and Hon Nsavyimana Sophie.

South Sudan’s representatives are Hon Dr Ann Itto Leonardo, Hon Gai Deng Nhial Deng, Hon Dr Woda Jaremiah Odok, Hon Gabriel Garang Ahol and Hon Dr Gabriel

Garang Arol. Others are Hon Thomas D Deng, Hon Mukulia Kennedy Ayason, Hon Kim Duop and Hon Gideon Gatpan Thoar.

Meanwhile, preparations for the forthcoming Sitting are at an advanced stage in Arusha with a number of Speakers from the Partner States’ Parliaments expected to grace the occasion.

All Members are expected to be sworn in by the Clerk before election of the Speaker.  The new EALA Speaker who takes over from Rt Hon Daniel F. Kidega is expected to guide the Assembly over the next five years taking it a notch higher in the integration dispensation. 

EALA is an Organ of the East African Community established in 2001 with a mandate of legislation, representation and oversight.  It is constituted of nine elected members from each of the Partner States

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UHURU KENYATA SECURE ANOTHER TERM IN OFFICE

Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta has secured a second term in office, setting off wild street celebrations by his supporters and protests in opposition strongholds in the capital and the west of the country.

Key points:

• Incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta won his 2nd term with 54.3 per cent of the vote
• The Opposition said the election process was a "charade"
• 1,200 people were killed in violence after the 2007 election

Speaking after the result of Tuesday's election was announced, Mr Kenyatta offered an olive branch to the opposition, urging national unity and peace with rivals who have rejected the result and raised the prospect of street protests.

Many Kenyans fear a repeat of the violence that followed the 2007 disputed election, when about 1,200 people were killed and hundreds of thousands displaced as protests over the result led to ethnic killings.

Mr Kenyatta got 54.3 per cent of the vote, ahead of rival Raila Odinga who secured 44.7 per cent, according to election commission figures.

Nearly 80 per cent of the 19 million registered voters cast their ballots.

"To my worthy competitor Raila Odinga, I reach out to you, I reach out to your supporters, let us work together," Mr Kenyatta, 55, said, shortly after being declared winner.

"Let us be peaceful, let us share together," he said.

"Reach out to your neighbour, shake their hand. Say this election is over, let us move on."

In Nairobi and other towns in Kenya his supporters took to the streets to celebrate, honking car horns and blowing whistles.

PHOTO: Kenyatta supporters celebrate in Kikuyu Town, Kenya, after the result was declared. (AP: Jerome Delay)

However, there were also protests.

Police fired tear gas and gunshots were heard in the Nairobi slums of Mathare and Kawangware, where young men took to the streets as police helicopters buzzed overhead.

In Kisumu, an Odinga stronghold in the west, youths banged drums and tyres burned in the streets in the Kondele district.

As election officials prepared the final results, the National Super Alliance (NASA) opposition coalition, led by 72-year-old Mr Odinga, said it rejected the process after its complaints had not been addressed.

"We raised some very serious concerns. They have not responded to them. As NASA we shall not be party to the process they are about to make," senior opposition official Musalia Mudavadi told reporters.

James Orengo, one of Mr Odinga's top lieutenants, said the process had been a "charade".

He stopped short of calling for protests but praised the Kenyan people's history of standing up to stolen elections and said there were "constitutional alternatives" to challenging any result.

Mr Odinga has lost the last two elections amid complaints of fraud.

Reuters

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PRESIDENT MUSEVENI ADDRESSES EALA AT START OF 4TH MEETING OF 5TH SESSION

 President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is rooting for enhanced economic integration as an impetus to ensuring a stronger bloc necessary for the region’s prosperity.

Addressing EALA at the commencement of the  4^th Meeting of the 5^th Session in Kampala late yesterday, the Head of State called on the region to embrace “a Make EAC, Buy EAC” initiative in order to protect jobs and stimulate investments in the market. 

President Museveni called on the region to take advantage of its population size which he termed a resource for the EAC.  “If there is wealth of the East African region, which many do not talk about often – this is the population of the region.  It is one of the most important factors given that it has 162 Million people including Republic of South Sudan”, President Museveni said.  The President maintained population of the EAC was a wealth creator made up of producers of goods and services through offering skilled, unskilled and intellectual competencies as well as consumers.

The President said textiles, apparels, shoes and automotive constitute some of the industries whose products could either be made in the region or locally assembled.  The President gave a further example of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia saying the northern neighbour was today prioritizing local assemblage of motor vehicles.

He said the time had come for the region to begin discarding the importation of second-hand clothes (Mitumba) saying Uganda was spending over 880 Million Dollars annually on textiles coming from outside the region.

“We (EAC) cannot continue to be a market for imports,” the Head of State said. “We need to use the policy instruments to ensure local production”, he added.  

The President said the region was consolidating on its gains in Infrastructure and said opening of a new Berth at the port of Mombasa, construction of the Standard Gauge Railway, improvement of roads in the Republics of Kenya and Tanzania, as well as stable electricity would ensure the costs of doing business were reduced.

He reiterated that EAC Political Federation would in the long run, ensure stability and the future safety of Africa and termed unification of the region as a strategic security for the EAC in the face of the world powers. 

“One Partner State in the region cannot do it alone, we must stay united.  We must therefore enhance and talk about Political Federation,” President Museveni said.

The President called for the conservation of the environment saying it was a serious issue that needs to be addressed.   He maintained that Uganda and the EAC region would need to restore the wetlands as a matter of priority, and avoid tilling the surrounding areas to grow rice and other crops, saying the practice was further debilitating the amount of rain across the entire EAC region.

President Museveni hailed East Africans for fighting Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) saying the cultural practice was outdated and cruel. On social cohesion, the President rooted for Kiswahili saying it was a unifying factor for the entire region.   He said Kiswahili was widely spoken among the over 160 Million inhabitants at the EAC.

In attendance were key government officials, legislators from the Parliament of Uganda, representatives of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the private sector as well as the representatives of the EAC Youth Ambassadors platform among others.

In his welcome remarks, the Speaker of the EALA, Rt. Hon Daniel F. Kidega noted that the Sitting was taking place at an irreversible time in the regional integration process.
He called on the region to prioritise food security in the advent of climate change and to have contingency programs to address the looming famine, the region was likely to face.

1. Debate on the Gender Equality and Development Bill, 2016, Administration of the East African Court of Justice Bill, 2016 and the EAC Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Bill, 2016.

2. Receive and debate on various Reports of Committees of EALA including that of the audit and on the status of railway infrastructure development in the Partner States.

3. In addition, we expect to debate on specific Motions, pass Resolutions and pose questions to the Council of Ministers.

“I have recently traversed the region and noticed the dire lack of rains”, he said.  “Governments likewise should strengthen irrigation systems, promote joint water-conservation efforts, early warning systems, research, extension and training”, he added.

The Speaker called for the maintenance of peace and security in the region saying the stability of Partner States was vital for progress.  He urged the region to embrace democratic ideals and good governance.  The Speaker further called for free and fair elections in the region.

“Democratic elections are critical as the reverse could pose serious challenges to our stability, demoralize investors and lead to slow-down of economies.   Adherence to Constitutions and electoral laws on the part of the leaders, politicians and electoral regulatory bodies is therefore key”, the Speaker said.

“On the other side, citizens must exercise their constitutional rights in a just manner, well aware that choices have consequences.  At this juncture, I wish our Sister Partner States of Kenya and Rwanda who are going to polls in 2017 free, peaceful and credible elections”, he added.

The EALA Speaker noted that the 3^rd Assembly had made progress and cited some of the milestones realized including enactment of 25 Bills, adoption of 63 Resolutions and passage of 80 reports.  The Assembly has likewise streamlined sensitization activities as well as other governance instruments including the Rules of Procedure.

At the Plenary, the Assembly has the following notable business:

This is the last Sitting of the Assembly in the Republic of Uganda in line with the Principle of rotation.   The Assembly which has two more sittings before its tenure ends in June 2017.

SOURCE ;EAC

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EAC-CHINA FORUM ON AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT CONCLUDES IN ARUSHA

The Secretary General of the East African Community, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko has commended the People’s Republic of China for the extensive support extended to the EAC not only in Civil Aviation sector but also in many other areas critical to the Community’s integration at the bilateral and regional levels.

The Secretary General, in particular, hailed the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) and China Electronic Technology Group Corporation (CETC) for organizing and facilitating a three-day EAC-China High 

Level Forum on Air Traffic Management (ATM), which concluded on 27^th November, 2016 in Arusha, Tanzania.

The Secretary General, who was represented by the EAC Director for Infrastructure, Mr. Philip Wambugu, disclosed that the EAC is currently the leading Regional Economic Community in matters of Civil Aviation, thanks to the many collaborative projects and programmes supported and implemented by the Partner States. 

“Collaboration with China at the regional level has been growing and the Secretariat, on behalf of the Partner States, wishes to acknowledge the great support by the China Civil Aviation Administration during the MA 60 Aircraft Type Certificate Acceptance Procedures and the continued support to Burundi CAA in meeting its Safety and Airworthiness obligations to allow the commencement of MA 60 Operations in the region,” said Amb. Mfumukeko.

“The type, acceptance and certification of the MA 60 aircraft opens the doors for EAC and China to expand their cooperation in the aviation sector through various avenues including technology transfer, purchase/lease and operations of Chinese aircraft and parts among others. This is a critical milestone achieved by both parties and is also in line with the signed EAC-China Economic, Trade and Investment Cooperation Agreement,” added the Secretary General.

The Political Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Dar es Salaam, Mr. Yang Tong, underscored the readiness of the People’s Republic of China to support the development of a robust aviation sector in the EAC region. He also pledged to take forward with the Chinese government the implementation of the proposals arising out of the Forum.

The Forum was characterised by various presentations including on the status of the China Civil ATM; a glimpse of EAC Integrated ATM by China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC); status of ATM in EAC by Kenya Civil Aviation Authority; and on the Establishment of the EAC Upper Flight Information Region (EAC-UFIR) Project. The main objective of the EAC-UFIR Project is the creation of a single bloc of upper airspace (above flight level 24,500 feet above sea level) to ensure efficient levels of safety and advantages in capacity, efficiency and performance over the present scheme in the Regional Air Navigation services provision.

The EAC-China Forum on ATM was also attended by the Chairpersons of the Partner States’ Civil Aviation Authorities; Representatives of CAAC and CETC; Director Generals of Partner States’ Civil Aviation Authorities; the Executive Director, Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency.

EAC.

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AFRICA LAND FORCES SUMMIT TAKE OFF IN ARUSHA TANZANIA

GROUP PHOTO  FOR AFRICA LAND FORCES  COMMANDERS AND THE US ARMY HELD IN ARUSHA.

The 16^th African Land Forces  Summit is on goinhg in Arusha with the   exchange between the United States, the United Republic of Tanzania and land force chiefs from across Africa.

The meeting is set to discuss and develop cooperative solutions to regional and transregional challenges and threats.

Senior leaders from African nations will have the opportunity to solidify relationships, exchange information on current topics of mutual interest and encourage cooperation in addressing challenges.

 U.S. Army  Africa leverages the Total Army and uses a regional focus, embedded in the Army's global engagement strategy to strengthen African land forces and regional organizations. 

These foundational capabilities help synchronize efforts and provide options to prevent conflict, to shape the security environment and to win conflicts. This seminar is just one example of U.S.

 Army Africa's commitment to strengthening relationships with partner nations in Africa. Future summits and security cooperation engagements will be scheduled to take place in Africa and U.S. Army Africa will continue to develop and build upon the relationships and partnerships established here.

The African Land Forces Summit provides an opportunity for U.S. Army to hear issues and concerns directly from African military leaders. It also provides a forum for the partner nations to freely express their opinions, concerns, desires, goals and ideas. Developing cooperative relationships and enduring partnerships among the militaries helps to promote security, stability and peace in Africa, and protect the national security interests of the United States.

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DESIGN HUMAN CENTERED FINANCIAL SERVICES TO ATTRACT CUSTOMERS

Nearly 54 percent of 45 million Tanzanians have no access to formal financial services, despite the fact that financial institutions have been struggling to reach them.

Various studies highlighted illiteracy as one of key factors behind the mess, but during the just ended ‘FinDisrupt’ event in Arusha that brought together product development teams among financial service providers as well as researchers in the financial sector, tech developers and end users, a new insight came in the picture.

Traditionally, financial experts have been working extra time to capture this huge market by pushing their readymade products through orchestrated marketing strategies, but in vain.

Now, the Financial Sector Deepening Trust (FSDT) experts gave an interesting insight that the financial products that have been pushed on the market do not respond to the real challenges facing the local people.

“The tricky issue is that experts have been trying hard to make people understand their products, instead of them to comprehend the customers need well before creating product” says FSDT operations director, Irene Mlola.

Ms Mlola argues that unless the product developers change their mindset and understand their customer’s need before inventing any financial service, majority of people would continue using their traditional way of saving money.

Her argument was anchored by an expert from San Fransisco, Dr Ibanga Umanah, Co Founder Brave Venture Labs, who said that in the digital economy, product developers ought to devise the people centred financial products in order to win the hearts and minds of their potential customers.

“Human centered design is a process for understanding people and designing solutions to their problems” Dr Umanah explained.

                 Build empathy

He told the financial services developers that they need to be open to seeing the customers’ world from their point of view and let them lead.

“When you interact with the potential customers talk 10 percent, listen 90 percent and ask open ended questions to solicit stories” Dr Umanah stressed.

He also insisted to follow up on personal and concrete topics, use the words they use, be warm and interested, in particular, smile.

“Create from the user’s point of view, not your businesses” Dr Umanah underlined.

Although, institutions such as FSDT, the world Bank, the National Bureau of Statistics and a number of market research firms among others, generate insights on the demand side of the financial sector, the response from the market, but new products does not give the confidence that the insights generated are being used for the improvement and development of new innovative products.

It was from this background, FSDT decided to ignite a conversation on consumer centered product development in order to fill the product improvement and development gap in Tanzania.

The main objective of FinDisrupt was to promote evidence based decision-making in product development by financial service providers in Tanzania.

In most cases, the product development teams are at the heart of tweaking international products cascaded to them by their mother companies / improving exciting products and in a few cases they are involved in the development of new products.

“In order to shake up the financial products development space in Tanzania, this is the group which we would like to influence and work with post the event” chipped in Mr Elvis Mushi,FSDT Head of research.

At the end of the three-day FinDisrupt event, the product development teams from mobile network operators (MNOs) banks, microfinance institutions such as saccoss, Insurance Companies and Pension funds, were able to design the people centred products.

The FSDT mission is to generate sustainable improvements in the livelihoods of poor households through reduced vulnerability to shocks increased incomes and employment achieved through providing greater access to financial services for more men, women and enterprises.

The FSDT in partnership with the Bank of Tanzania defines financial inclusion as a state where: 

“All Tanzanians regularly use financial tools and payment platforms to manage cash flows and mitigate shocks. These are delivered by formal providers through a range of appropriate services and infrastructure, with dignity and fairness”.

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