MAONI YA RC-KILIMANJARO MHE.GAMA KUHUSIANA NA RASIMU YA KATIBA

Mkuu wa mkoa wa Kilimanjaro Mheshimiwa Leonidas Gama

Kwa Mujibu wa Rasimu ya Katiba wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, Sura ya sita na Ibara zake inazungumzia kuwapo kwa muundo wa shirikisho wa serikali tatu.Serikali ya Muungano, serikali ya Tanzania bara na Serikai ya zanzibar na kwamba kudumu kwa Muungano pamoja na sababu nyingine ni dhamira ya Watanzania wote. Ni kweli Muungano ni dhamira ya dhati ya wanaoungana na kwa Muungano wetu ni dhamira ya Watanzania wote, dhamira ya dhati ya kuudumisha muungano ni ile ambayo inakubalika na inaendana na Matakwa ya walio wengi.

Kwa mazingira ya nchi yetu na mazingira ya kibinadamu, sio rahisi katika Taifa kama hili lenye watu zaidi ya  milioni arobaini, tukawa na dhamira moja, tutajiridhisha kinadharia tu kuwa Muungano utadumu kwa vile tuna dhamira nao, huku ni kujidanganya. Ni dhahiri kuwa ikitokea katika mfumo huu wa serikali tatu, tukapata kiongozi mkuu, ama chama, ama chombo chenye mamlaka ya kutunga sheria, ama kundi la watu ambalo dhamira yao ni tofauti na dhamira ya wengi. Ni wazi kuwa pamoja na dhamira nzuri ya walio wengi wa kudumisha Muungano wa sasa, Muungano utavunjika kwa matakwa ya mamlaka iliyopo. Kwa maoni yangu Dhamira ya Watanzania katika kudumisha Muungano ni sehemu tu ya kuimarisha na sio suluhisho la kudumu kwa Muungano. Muundo madhubuti unaozuia fursa ya kuvunja Muungano ndio suluhisho sahihi na la kudumu kwa Muungano. Ni vyema Watanzania  tusisahau yale ya mwaka 1977, tulikuwa na Jumuiya ya Afrika Mashariki, wote wana Afrika Mashariki tuliipenda Jumuiya yetu, tulikuwa na dhamira ya dhati ya kuidumisha. Lakini alitokea mtu mmoja tu kwa matakwa yake, na akili zake alizoziona zinafaa alisababisha Jumuiya ya Afrika Mashariki kuvunjika sembuse Muungano wa Serikali tatu? Waasisi wa Taifa letu, Hayati Abeid Amani wa Zanzibar na Hayati Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere wa Tanganyika, karume walipoanzisha Muungano wa Tanganyika na Zanzibar hawakukurupuka, walikuwa na sababu za msingi za kuunganisha nchi mbili hizi. Miongoni mwa sababu hizo ni pamoja na Undugu wa damu uliopo kati ya Wananchi wa Zanzibar na Tanganyika na pili ni sababu za kiulinzi na usalama kwa nchi hizi wa mali, rasilimali na watu wake, ninaamini kuwa, sababu hizi bado ni hai hadi  sasa na ni sababu muhimu kwa mustakabali wa Taifa letu. Watanzania hivi sasa kupitia mabaraza mbalimbali wanaendelea kutoa na kukusanya maoni juu ya katiba. wapo wanaopita huku na huko na wale wanaotumia njia mbalimbali za kutoa maoni yao juu ya Rasimu ya Katiba na hasa eneo hili la muundo wa serikali tatu. Ni uhuru wa kila mtu kutoa maoni yake, lakini kuna haja ya Watanzania kuwa na tahadhari sana, wapo wanaojua fika kuwa kuwepo kwa serikali tatu, zenye Marais watatu katika nchi yenye mamlaka tatu, ni kuuvunja Muungano. Hivyo wapo wanaoshabikia serikali tatu, si kwa kuimarisha Muungano ila wanajua kuwa ni kuuvunja Muungano. Wanachelea kuonyesha dhamira yao ya kuuvunja Muungano bali wanashabikia Serikali tatu kwa kujua dhamira yao itatimia.Watanzania tutafakari, tuchukue Hatua Pamoja na Sababu nyingine nyingi unazoweza kuzichambua juu ya kudumu au kutokudumu kwa Muungano wa Serikali tatu, nimeona ni vyema nipitie maeneo ambayo binafsi nimeona yanaweza kuchochea kuunjwa kwa Muungano wa serikali tatu. Wengine wanajadili hoja ya gharama kubwa za kuendesha serikali tatu, kwangu hili si hoja, naamini jambo lolote la kheri linahitaji gharama na kama gharama zinaweza kuhimilika, hilo si tatizo.Maeneo yanayoweza kuvunja muungano ni pamoja na: (i)Uwezo uliosawa ki-uwiano katika kuchangia uendeshaji wa Muungano  katika ibara ya 215 ya Rasimu, inazungumzia vyanzo vya mapato ya serikali ya Jamhuri ya Muungano, na moja kati yake ni "mchango kutoka kwa washirika wa Muungano" maana yake ni mchango toka serikali ya Zanzibar na kutoka ya Tanzania bara. Ni dhahiri muundo na mfumo wa uendeshaji wa serikali ya Muungano kiasi kikubwa utategemea mchango huu ambao unategemea uchumi wa serikali mbili zinazounda Muungano, katika mazingira halisi ya Tanzania kwa kuzingatia rasilimali na mali zilizopo katika maeneo ya Muungano yaani Tanzania Bara na Zanzibar ni dhahiri hayatawezesha mchango ulio sawa ki-uwiano katika kuendesha serikali ya Muungano, hii itaifanya Serikali yenye mazingira mazuri ya mali na rasilimali, kulazimika kuiendesha/kuichangia Serikali ya Jamhuri ya Muungano na nyingine kushindwa kuchangia katika hali yoyote ile, mgongano wa kiuchumi na kimaslahi hautaepukika. Lakini pia katika mazingira ya umoja na mshikamano uliopo sasa kati ya Serikali ya Muungano na Serikali ya Mapinduzi ya Zanzibar, ambayo ushirikiano katika uendeshaji wa shughuli za kiserikali ni ule usioepukika, (Gharama za uendeshaji na huduma katika serikali kwa mfano- Umeme , Mafuta n.k.) Hali hiyo katika serikali tatu, haitapata nafasi, serikali itakayochangia zaidi tofauti na nyingine haitakubali hali hiyo. kwa maana ya kiuchumi, pia upo uwezekano wa serikali itakayoshindwa kujiendesha au hata kuchangia, kukopa nje katika mazingira ya kupoteza uhuru wake wa kiuchumi na kiusalama. Tukumbuke kuwa hadi sasa bado waptu nje ya nchi wanaoitazama Zanzibar kisiwa chetu kizuri kama eneo lao, na bado wanandoto kuwa siku moja watarudi Zanzibar kiutawala.Jee iwapo Zanzibar itashindwa kuchangia katika serikali ya Muungano na kujiendesha kiuchumi ni nini kitatokea? Ni lazima tukubali Watanzania kuwa uchumi wa nchi hizi unatofautiana sana na kuishi kwetu katika Muungano ni kule kwa kushirikiana kindugu kunakotokana pia na mfumo uliopo wa Muungano, vinginevyo kwa muundo wa serikali tatu, zenye Marais watatu, hili linalofanyika sasa halina nafasizi, ni wazi kuwa nafasi ya kudumu kwa Muungano itakuwa matatani. (ii) Mgawanyo wa madaraka na mfumo wa kiutawala Kwa mujibu wa Rasimu ya katiba ya Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, kutakuwa na Marais watatu na serikali tatu na kwa mujibu wa madaraka na mamlaka, kila Rais atakuwa na madaraka katika eneo lake la utawala. Katika mfumo wa miliki za mali na rasilimali na utawala wa mali na rasilimali za nchi, kwa sehemu kubwa utakuwa katika mamlaka za serikali ya Zanzibar kwa eneo la Zanzibar na Tanzania bara kwa yaliyo chini ya Tanzania bara. Hii ni pamoja na utawala wa serikali, serikali za mitaa, tawala za mikoa na uteuzi wa mamlaka za utendaji, Ardhi, Maji, Barabara, Huduma za kijamii ikiwemo Elimu, Afya n.k. Kiutawala Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano hatakuwa na eneo la utawala kirasilimali hasa rasilimali watu, Rais wa Muungano hatakuwa na mamlaka na madaraka za kiutendaji, rasilimali na huduma za kijamii na za maendeleo, mamlaka za kuagiza wala kukemea. Katika hali hii utendaji kazi wa Rais wa Muungano ambaye ndiye Kiongozi Mkuu, hautakuwa wenye mamlaka na madaraka. Uwepo wa mgongano wa kimadaraka kati ya Jamhuri ya Muungano na serikali ya Zanzibar na ile ya Tanzania bara hautazuilika. Na ni ukweli Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano atakuwa Boya, ataelea hewani. (iii) Mfumo wa utawala na Vyama vingi vya siasa Kwa mujibu wa sura ya kwanza ya Ibara ya 1 (2) ya Rasimu ya Katiba, Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania ni shirikisho la kidemokrasia linalofuata mfumo wa vyama vingi vya siasa. Kwa mtazamo wangu; katika mfumo wa kidemokrasia unaozingatia vyama vingi vya siasa, ni dhahiri kuwa utawala na mamlaka za utawala zinaweza kuwa katika matokeo ya mchanganyiko mkubwa wa Vyama mbalimbali vya kisiasa, matokeo ya chaguzi za Rais, wabunge na Madiwani zinaweza kutoa sura tofauti na katika maeneo tofauti. Ni ukweli kuwa kila chama cha siasa, kina mfumo wake na malengo yake, kisiasa tunaamini nchi ni moja, na wote tunajenga nyumba moja kwa hiyo tofauti zetu za kisasa zisivuruge umoja na mshikamano wetu. Kwa nadharai ya kisiasa, hii ni sahihi, lakini kihalisia ni dhana isiyotakiwa kuiamini. Upo uwezekano wa chaguzi katika serikali tatu, zikapata vyama vinavyoongoza serikali kwa tofauti kwa kila eneo la utawala: kwa mfano serikali ya Jamhuri ya Muungano ikaongozwa na chama kingine, Serikali ya Zanzibar ikaongozwa na chama kingine na ile ya Tanzanzia Bara inkaongozwa pia na chama kingine.

 Kwa vyovyote vile mamlaka na madaraka yatawataka Marais wa Bara na yule wa Zanzibar kutii mamlaka ya Rais wa Muungano. Ni rahisi sana kusema hakuna tatizo lolote, wataongozwa na Katiba lakini yeyote anayejua mwenendo wa siasa za Tanzania hivi sasa na matarajio za siasa za baadae zinazoendelea hapa nchini, kwa tofauti ya sera, itikadi na mitazamo ya kimaslahi katika vyama vyetu na jamii kwa ujumla.

Kwa mtazamo wa yeyote yule ni kuwa Muungano huu wa serikali tatu, wenye Marais watatu ni ndoto kuamini kuwa utadumu katika mazingira ya utawala wa vyama tofauti katika serikali zilizopo.

Tukumbuke  Historia ya Muungano iliyoundwa kwa utaratibu unaofanana na huu ambao umeishia kusambaratika kama vile Muungano wa iliyokuwa Yugoslavia na Usavieti. Katika Yugoslavia, jimbo la Albania, ndilo lilikuwa la kwanza kutaka kujitenga na hatimaye kulitumbukiza Taifa katika vita vya wenyewe kwa wenyewe huku na majimbo mengine kama Serbia na Montenegro yakidai kujitawala; hatima na matokeo ya Muungano huo ni Kuvunjika kwa Muungano wao. 

Zipo nchi nyingi zimesambaratika kutokana na mifarakano midogo midogo ya kijamii: kumbuka Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Sudani na Sudani ya Kusini n.k

"Mimi bado naamini kuwa suluhisho la kero la Muungano siyo kuwa na serikali tatu, bado tunao uwezo na nafasi kubwa ya mjadala zaidi.Tujiulize ni nchi gani duniani yenye Marais wa watatu, wenye serikali tatu na wakakaa katika mfumo huu wa Muungano wakafanikiwa?

tujifunze kutoka kwa wenzetu walioungana duniani, Marekani imeundwa na majimbo zaidi ya 52, lakini pamoja na majimbo hayo kuwa na nguvu na rasilimali zote, bado Rais mwenye Nguvu ni mmoja tu.

Marekani haijagawa mamlaka, madaraka, usimazi, utawala na maamuzi kwa mtu zaidi ya mmoja na ndio maana Taifa la Marekani linaendelea kuwa imara sio ndani tu bali hata nje ya mipaka yake.

Watanzania wa Bara na Visiwani, kama tunadhamiria kweli kujenga umoja wa kitaifa kwa mfumo wa Serikali tatu tungekuwa na Serikali zenye muundo huu; Serikali ya Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania yenye Rais aliyechaguliwa na Watanzania wote.

Serikali ya Mapinduzi ya Zanzibar yenye Waziri Mkuu mtendaji aliyechaguliwa na Bunge la Jamhuri Serikali ya Tanzania Bara aliyechaguliwa na Bunge la Jamhuri ya Muungano.

Hili ndilo suluhisho pekee kwa wale wanaotaka Serikali tatu, lakini nina hakika kwa sababu za tulio wengi kutawaliwa na homa ya madaraka, wazo hili wengi watalipuuzia bila kujali kuwa ndilo suluhisho.

Tujiulize ni kweli tunautaka Muungano au tunasema tunaimarisha Muungano kumbe dhamira zetu zinataka tuone Muungano unakufa kwa vile eti kwa nini Zanzibar wana bendera yao, wana wimbo wao wa Taifa, wana madai yao kila kukicha.

Watanzania wenzangu, Muungano unaondoka, chozi la Baba wa Taifa litatushukia. Kuna tafsiri fulani nimesikia zikitolewa na wale wanaotetea muundo wa serikali tatu, Jaji Warioba na kundi lake katika tafsiri zao nimesikia wakimnukuu Baba wa Taifa kupendekeza serikali tatu.

Tuache kutafsiri na kupindisha maneno ya Baba wa Taifa kwa kile tunachokitaka sisi, maana wapo wanaotumia maandishi mbalimbali ya Baba wa Taifa, kumpandikizia tafsiri ya kutaka serikali tatu kwa matakwa yao.

Baba wa Taifa amefariki akiamini na akiwa na msimamo mmoja tu “Muungano wa Serikali mbili kuelekea serikali moja”. Mwanamapinduzi Mzee Abeid Amani Karume amefariki akiamini juu ya Tanzania yenye Muungano wa Serikali moja.

Mungu Ibariki Muungano wetu. Mungu ibariki Tanzania.

 

Makala hii imeandaliwa na Mwalimu Leonidas T. Gama

Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Kilimanjaro.

haya ni Mawazo binafsi na Mapendekezo yangu!

Imetolewa Agosti 28,2013

WAKUU WA MIKOA NA WILAYA SIKU WALIPOWASILISHA MAONI YA RASIMU YA KATIBA

Mwenyekiti wa wakuu wa mikoa ambaye ni mkuu wa mkoa wa Mbeya akitoa ufafanuzi wa maoni ya rasimu ya katiba kwa kundi la Ma-RC na Ma-DC katika ukumbi wa Habari maelezo

 

 

Picha na Magreth Kinabo – Maelezo.

Na Lydia Churi, MAELEZO -Agosti 28,2013


Wakuu wa Mikoa na Wilaya nchini wanapendekeza msingi mkuu wa kudai haki kwenye katiba mpya utanguliwe na wajibu ili watanzania wajenge utamaduni wa kuwajibika ambao utakuwa ni kichocheo cha maendeleo ya kasi na utii wa sheria kuanzia ngazi ya mtu binafsi,jamii na taasisi.    
    
Akizungumza kwa niaba ya wakuu wa mikoa na wakuu wa wilaya jijini Dar es salaam leo, mkuu wa mkoa wa Mbeya Abbas kandoro alisema maoni yao kuhusu rasimu ya katiba ni juu ya muundo wa serikali, masuala ya kisheria, tunu na alama za taifa pamoja na wajibu na haki za raia.   
     
Alisema kuhusu muundo wa serikali Baraza lao la  Katiba linapendekeza serikali mbili kama ilivyo sasa yaani Serikali ya Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania na serikali ya Mapinduzi ya Zanzibar kinyume na muundo uliopendekezwa na Rasimu ya Jamhuri ya Muungano ambao mfumo wake ni wa serikali tatu.

Alisema sababu za baraza hilo kupendekeza serikali mbili ni kutokana na kuona kuwa  kuwepo kwa serikali tatu kutakuwa na kila dalili ya rasilimali zinazotegemewa kuendesha serikali zote tatu zinazopendekezwa kutoka upande wa Tanzania Bara na hivyo kuuweka muungano katika hali tete ya kuweza kuhimili.

Alitaja sababu nyingine kuwa ni nchi inaweza kuingia kwenye mgogoro mkubwa wa kikatiba endapo vyama tofauti vya siasa vitashinda uchaguzi kwenye kiti cha urais. Hata hivyo aliongeza kuwa tafiti zinaonyesha kuwa kuwepo kwa serikali tatu kuna uwezekano wa kuvunjika kwa Muungano.

Kandoro alisema, wanapendekeza Katiba mpya itambue tunu ya amani na utulivu kuwa ni moja ya tunu na alama za taifa kwa kuwa amani na utulivu ndiyo msingi mkuu wa shughuli zote binafsi na za pamoja katika kufikia malengo yoyote kimaendeleo.

Alisema kuhusu masuala ya uraia yanayowagusa wananchi moja kwa moja na rasilimali zao wanashauri Katiba mpya itoe maelekezo ya wazi ili mtanzania awe ni mtu anayejipambanua  kwa sifa za wazi badala ya sifa zinazopendekezwa kwenye rasimu ya katiba ambazo mbeleni zinaweza kuleta utata katika maeneo mbalimbali.

Alisema baraza hilo pia linapendekeza kuongezwa kwa kipengele cha kudumisha na kuhakikisha rasilimali za nchi zinamilikiwa na watanzania. Baraza baraza hilo linaafiki masuala ya mgombea huru pamoja na mawaziri kutotokana na wabunge.

Kuhusu kugombea urais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, Kandoro alisema sharti la kuzaliwa la mgombea wa kiti hicho kwenye katiba mpya lisomeke kuwa awe ni raia wa kuzaliwa kwa baba na mama.

Aidha, mkuu huyo wa mkoa amewataka watanzania kuipitia rasimu ya katiba kwa makini na kutoa maoni juu ya mambo mbalimbali yaliyomo kwenye rasimu hiyo badala ya kujadili zaidi suala la nafasi ya urais na muundo wa serikali peke yake. 

Alisema kama rais Jakaya Kikwete alivyowasisitiza watanzania kuipokea katiba mpya wao pia watakuwa tayari kuikubali na kuipokea katiba mpya hata kama waliyoyapendekeza hayataingia kwenye katiba hiyo

EAC BRAND SURVEY 2013-LET US KNOW HOW YOU PERCEIVE US

Dear fellow East Africans and friends of the EAC,
 

The East African Community is carrying out a brand survey to gain a better insight into how we are perceived by our stakeholders and the community in general. We would therefore appreciate, if you would take the time to fill in a short questionnaire. It will only take 8 to 10 minutes to complete and your response will be anonymous.

No matter whether you are very knowledgeable about the EAC or not, your input is very valuable in helping us further improve our communication and to serve you even better.

Please open an English version of the questionnaire by clicking this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=2VeEdC7rVr0gGSikDfNAxw_3d_3d

 
If you prefer to complete the questionnaire in Swahili or French, please click one of these links.

French: https://fr.surveymonkey.com/s/ExtFR
Swahili: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ExtSW

Should you have any questions concerning the survey, please contact us on e-mail: 

eacbrandsurvey@eachq.org. We expect to close the survey on 18th September 2013.
 

Thank you for your participation and support.
 

Best regards,
 

Dr. Richard Sezibera
Ambassador
Secretary General
 

The English link is uniquely tied to this internal survey and your email address. As mentioned your response is anonymous but it will enable us to resend the invitation. Please do not forward this message but feel free to share the survey with business partners, friends and family via a post on our website and Facebook page: http://www.eac.int and https://www.facebook.com/proudlyeastafrican. The post is easy to find on the frontpage.

EAST AFICAN COURT OF JUSTICE(EACJ) DISMISSES ALCON INTERNATIONAL LIMITED DISPUTE

EACJ dismisses Alcon International Limited dispute

East African Court of Justice, Arusha, 2 September 2013: The First Instance Division of the East African Court of Justice , dismissed a Matter filed by Alcon International Limited (Kenya) against Standard Chartered Bank Uganda Limited for not paying them for the construction of a building known as Workers House in Kampala, Uganda.

Alcon International Limited (K) came to court claiming an award of $8,858,469, with interest and costs, which was made in favor of Alcon International (Uganda) by an arbitrator and adopted by the High Court of Uganda. The award arose from a contract between the Government of Uganda and Alcon International Limited (K) who later sub-contracted Alcon International Limited (U) to finish the construction of the Workers House building, leading to a dispute about which Alcon Company should be paid for the work done.

Court said that, it cannot give itself jurisdiction in a case outside its jurisdiction on the ground that it would be for the convenience of the Parties and witnesses. Also Court found that there was no merit in the reference before it hence dismissed it and ordered that each party to bear their costs.

EACJ First Instance Division had previously dismissed the case by Kenyan construction company, Alcon International (K) Limited, on grounds that the matter was improperly before the Court. However the Appellate Division noted that the First Instance Division did not in its ruling consider whether it had jurisdiction to entertain the matter, which was a fundamental issue which the Court had to decide on.

The Applicant brought the case to court under article 29 (2) and Article 54 (2) (b) of the protocol on the establishment of the East African Community Common Market of the on protection of Investors across the border, emphasizing that the alleged sister construction company Alcon International Uganda does not exist.

Also the Registrar today ruled on a preliminary objection raised by Counsel for the Respondent in a case for costs in an Appeal filed by Alcon International Limited (K) against The Standard Chartered Bank and 2 others.

The Appeal was allowed and they were awarded costs to be taxed by the Registrar. The Registrar ruled that the court was not functus officio (a general rule that, a final decision of a court cannot be reopened) and that he did not make a final decision in this matter when it came up for taxation. The Registrar ordered that the matter proceeds for taxation and that the parties will be notified of the date.

About the EACJ

The East African Court of Justice (EACJ or ‘the Court’), is one of the organs of the East African Community established under Article 9 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community. Established in November 2001, the Court’s major responsibility is to ensure the adherence to law in the interpretation and application of and compliance with the EAC Treaty.

Arusha is the temporary seat of the Court until the Summit determines its permanent seat. The High Courts of the Partner States serve as sub-registries.

27TH ORDINARY MEETING OF EAC COUNCIL OF MINISTERS CONCLUDES IN ARUSHA

EAC Secretary General Amb Dr Richard Sezibera(L) in discussion with the Chair of the EAC Council of Ministers Hon. Shem Bageine

A bird’s eye view of the EAC Council of Ministers session

The 27^th ordinary meeting of the EAC Council of Ministers concluded over the weekend in Arusha, Tanzania with the Ministers deliberating on a wide range of regional matters and adopting several policies and directives geared at enhancing and strengthening the regional integration and development process.  

The Meeting was chaired by Hon. Shem Bageine, Minister of State for EAC Affairs, Republic of Uganda and Chairperson of the Council and leaders of Delegations included Hon. Amelia Kyambadde, MP, Uganda’s Minister of Trade; Hon. Léontine Nzeyimana, Burundi’s Minister to the Office of the President Responsible for EAC Affairs; Hon. Phyllis J. Kandie, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of East African Affairs, Commerce & Tourism; Hon. Jacqueline Muhongayire, Rwanda’s Minister for East African Community Affairs; and Hon. Samuel J. Sitta, MP, Tanzania’s Minister for East African Cooperation. 

In attendance were several Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Heads of EAC Organs and Institutions, EAC Observer Organizations as well as officials from the EAC Secretariat.

The Chairperson of the Council reiterated the collective need to focus on the greater interests of the East African Community, as the Council seeks to surmount any challenges before it. He said the Community was now a bigger economic and political entity with enormous potential for enhanced leverage in regional and international affairs, if it acts as a bloc. 

“As the EAC moves to the next critical levels of integration, Partner States will, more than ever before, be called upon to commit the requisite resources and political will for the attainment of the Common Market, the Monetary Union, and the ultimate stage of a Political Federation” affirmed Hon. Bageine.

The Secretary General of the East African Community, Amb. Dr. Richard Sezibera commended Hon. Monique Mukaruliza, and Hon. Musa Sirma, former Ministers of EAC in Rwanda and Kenya respectively for their dedicated leadership and service to the Council and the Community.

 He congratulated Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax, upon her appointment as the first female Executive Secretary of Southern African Development Community. He also commended Amb. George William Kayonga, and Mr. Chiboli Shakaba, former Permanent Secretaries responsible for EAC Affairs in the Republics of Rwanda and Kenya respectively, for their service to the Community.

He welcomed and congratulated Hon. Phyllis Kandie, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of EAC Affairs, Commerce and Tourism; Hon. Jacqueline Muhongayire, Minister of EAC Affairs, Republic of Rwanda; and Hon. Johnston Busingye, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Republic of Rwanda.

Amb. Sezibera pointed out that a lot of activities are being undertaken and tremendous progress being realized in the economic, political and social sectors during the period under review. He noted that the integration process has proceeded very well and many breakthroughs have been made. He wished the Session fruitful deliberations

Some of the decisions/directives taken at the 27^th Meeting of the EAC Council of Ministers included:

Political Federation:

The Council directed Partner States to finalize their national consultations on the Way Forward on the EAC Political Federation and submit their reports to the Secretary General by 31^st October, 2013.

Bills

The Council adopted the East African Community Science and Technology Commission Bill, 2013 and the East African Community Assets and Premises Protection Bill 2013 and refered them to the Sectoral Council on Legal and Judicial Affairs for legal input.

The Council also directed the United Republic of Tanzania and the Republic of Uganda to deposit instruments of ratification of the Protocol on the Establishment of the Kiswahili Commission and deposit their respective instruments of ratification with the Secretary General by 31^st December 2013.

 Further, it directed the United Republic of Tanzania to ratify the Protocol on the Establishment of the East African Health Research Commission and deposit the instruments of ratification with the Secretary General by 31^st December 2013.

Republic of South Sudan

The Council approved the negotiations with the Republic of South Sudan to join the East African Community; established a High Level Negotiations Team; directed Partner States to nominate three (3) Members to the High Level Negotiation Team by 30^th September 2013; and directed the Secretariat to thereafter convene a meeting of High Level Negotiation Team to start the negotiations with the Republic of South Sudan by 15^th October 2013.

Federal Republic of Somalia

The Council approved the verification programme for the application of the Federal Republic of Somalia to join the East African Community and established a Verification Committee composed of three (3) Experts from each Partner State to undertake the verification exercise and three (3) Experts from the Secretariat to facilitate the exercise scheduled for December 2013 - August 2014.

The Council also directed Partner States to nominate experts by 31^st October, 2013 to participate in the verification of the application of the Federal Republic of Somalia and directed the Verification 

Committee to submit the report of the verification exercise to the 29^th Meeting of the Council scheduled for August 2014 for consideration; and directed the Secretary General to communicate to the Government of the Federal Republic of Somalia to extend appropriate security and protocol facilitation to the Verification Team while in the Federal Republic of Somalia.

Key Priority Interventions to be implemented over the FY 2014/15

The Council adopted the following key priority interventions to be implemented over the FY  
(a)        Operationalization of the Single Customs T
(b)        Implementation of the EAC Common Market Protocol
(c)        Implementation of the Roadmap towards the establishment of the  EAC Monetary Union;
(d)        Development of cross-border infrastructure with particular focus on implementing the decisions of the Summit Retreat on Infrastructure (held in November 2012);
(e)        Implementation of the Tripartite Free Trade Area (COMESA- EAC--SADC);

(f)        Implementation of the EAC Industrialization Policy and Strategy;
(g)        Implementation of the EAC Food Security Action Plan and Climate Change Master Plan;
(h)        Sensitization of East Africans; 
 (i)        Implementation of the EAC Strategy on Regional Peace and Security; and
(j)        Implementation of the activities under Political Federation for the East African Community;
(k)        Revitalization of the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization.

EAC Panel of Eminent Persons

The Council adopted the Modalities for the Establishment and Functioning of the EAC Panel of Eminent Persons and Establishment of an EAC Peace Facility and directed Partner States to ratify the Protocol on Peace and Security.

Executive Staff of LVFO

The Council took note of the new appointments of Executive Staff of LVFO namely the Mr. Geoffrey Monor, Executive Secretary and the Deputy Secretary General Dr. Olive Mkumbo, and commend the outgoing staff Mr. Dick Nyeko former Executive Secretary and Mr. Mathias Wafula, former Deputy Executive Secretary for the services rendered.

Alternative Financing Mechanisms

In regards to Alternative Financing Mechanisms, the Council directed the Partner States to consult further on the proposal that the budget of the East African Community be financed from 1% of the value of imports from outside the East African Community and the Secretariat to develop a comprehensive paper on all other alternative financing mechanisms for the Community and submit to the Council for consideration.

Expulsion of Illegal immigrants from Kagera Region

The Council directed the United Republic of Tanzania and the Republic of Rwanda to urgently meet to resolve this issue; and directed the Sectoral Council on Peace and Inter-State Security to consider developing regional mechanisms to address future challenges of the above nature.

Trilateral Developments

The Council took note of the ongoing trilateral initiatives by Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda on different matters of integration including infrastructure, establishment of a Single Customs Territory and the Political Federation; and requested the Chairperson of the Council to provide more information on these developments to the Council at its 28^th Meeting.

Audit Commission and Audit and Risk Committee Reports

            The Council received the Audit Commission Report on the East African Community Financial Statements for the year ended 30^th June 2012; and decided to table the Audited Financial Statements of EAC Organs and Institutions to the East African Legislative Assembly for debate and such other consultations and action as the Assembly may deem necessary. The Council also adopted the Report of the Audit and Risk Committee for the Financial Year 2012/2013.