Speakers from East African Community (EAC) have pledged to use parliamentary diplomacy to foster integration and tackle challenges facing the region.
Speaking during the 17th Meeting of the Bureau of East African Community held in Nairobi, the speakers agreed to stay united in pursuit of integration, cooperation, and shared prosperity.
The speakers convened in Nairobi under the leadership of the Speaker of the Parliament of the United Republic of Tanzania and President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Ackson Tulia.
Extending a warm welcome, Speaker of the National Assembly of Kenya Moses Wetang'ula, expressed Kenya's pride in being part of the EAC, a union he said stands as a beacon of regional integration.
He commended the success of the 13th Edition of the Inter-Parliamentary Games held in Rwanda saying it underpinned the push for “a progressive, peaceful, and all-inclusive EAC."
Speaker of the Senate, Kenya, Amason Kingi addressed the pressing issues of conflict and climate change faced by the region.
He emphasized the crucial role of parliamentary diplomacy in restoring peace and stability in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
"We must continue to deploy parliamentary diplomacy as one of the tools in our quest to restore normalcy in DRC,” Kingi said.
Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of the United Republic of Tanzania Mussa Zungu extended condolences to those affected by the devastating floods and storms in various parts of East Africa.
He acknowledged the region's resilience in the face of natural disasters.
"Our Region has been recently struck by devastating floods and storms that have caused untold loss of lives and damage to properties. I wish to sincerely express my heartfelt condolences to the dozens of people who died in the wake of tragic floods in various parts of East Africa. We pray to our heavenly father to shower his mercy to our lost ones,” he said.
Other leaders at the meeting included Joseph Ntakirutimana, Speaker of EALA; Gelase Daniel Ndabirabe, Speaker of Parliament of Burundi; Mussa Harelimana, Deputy Speaker representing Donatille Mukabalisa, Speaker of the Parliament of Rwanda; Asuman Basalirwa, representing Anita Among, Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda; and Adan Nur (Madobe), Speaker of the Federal Parliament of Somalia.