EALA PASSES RESOLUTION TO MARK INTERNATIONAL DAY OF DEMOCRACY

 

East African Legislative Assembly

PRESS RELEASE

East African  Legislative Assembly , Bujumbura, Burundi, Oct 24, 2013: The East African Community is expected to recognize and to mark the International Day of Democracy on September 15, annually, following a Resolution on the floor of the House this afternoon.

The Assembly has through the motion moved by Hon Hafsa Mossi, urged the EAC Partner States to institutionalize the day while enhancing public awareness creation on how people can make their voices heard in the process of legislation or decision making.  It is expected that Partner States shall henceforth further undertake joint actions in the celebration of the day.

The International Day of Democracy is celebrated annually in line with the 2007 UN Resolution A/62/7.   According to the Resolution moved today, the promotion of democracy is necessary and desirable for the efficient implementation of the provisions of the Treaty in accordance with Article 131 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC.

Rising in support of the motion were Hon ShyRose Bhanji who remarked that 35 African countries had so far subscribed to the African Peer Review Mechanism. She commended the governments in the Partner States for opening up the ‘political space’ through increased numbers of private media and political parties among others. Others were Hon Abubakar Zein, Hon Nancy Abisai, Hon Mukasa Mbidde and Hon Leonce Ndarubagiye.

  The Members rallied in unison for the need for democracy and rule of law to prevail, freedom of speech with regards to the integration process, representative systems of governance with separation of powers and respect for ethnic, religious and cultural diversities. They want the African countries to ratify the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Good Governance.

At the moment according to Hon Mukasa Mbidde, only Rwanda has signed and ratified the instrument.  Kenya, Uganda and Burundi have all signed but are yet to ratify the Protocol while the United Republic of Tanzania is yet to sign the instrument.

Hon Leonce Ndarubagiye however hit out at the west who he said, had only started practicing and preaching democracy when they had already developed.  “It is time for home-grown democratic solutions to our problems”, he remarked.

With the adoption of the Resolution, the EALA is also expected to enhance its role in awareness creation on democracy. The Chair of the Council of Ministers Hon Shem Bageine supported the Resolution and said it was important for citizens to have the right to elect their rulers regularly and enjoy freedom to write and speak.

A number of questions were also sought by Members and answered by the Chair of Council of Ministers, Hon Shem Bageine.

Ends