Failure by East Africa Community member states to remit contributions to the EAC Secretariat has taken centre-stage at the 18th Meeting of Bureau of EAC Speakers in Nairobi.
Tulia Ackson, the outgoing chair of the bureau-the umbrella body that EALA and the National Assemblies utilise to champion the cause of Parliaments in the region- noted that the EAC Secretariat needs US$120 million (Sh15.5 billion) annually to run its operations effectively.
She noted that the secretariat faces underfunding due to delays in member-state contributions.
“This financial shortfall hampers our ability to implement essential programmes and projects that promote peace and security and address the pressing challenges posed by climate change,” Ackson told the meeting.
She urged partner states to fulfil financial commitments, “understanding that a financially empowered EAC is crucial for achieving our integration objectives.”
“By collaborating and supporting one another, we can establish a foundation of peace and security that enhances our development efforts and ensures sustainable futures for all our communities,” she said.
The incoming chairperson of the Bureau of EAC Speakers and Speaker of the Kenya National Assembly, Moses Wetang'ula, urged member states to honour financial commitments to the East African Legislative Assembly.
“We must sacrifice our national interests for the greater good of the community,” he stated.
He regretted that many states have fallen behind “issues they are supposed to be subscribing.”
“As we budget nationally, let us consider East Africa,” Wetang’ula urged.
Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, Anita Annet Amoyo, said countries should sacrifice to make their contributions.
“We know it might not be easy for some states but we must sacrifice to achieve the goals of the East African Community,” Amoyo said.
Also present at the meeting were Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly Joseph Ntakirutimana, Jemma Nunukumba Speaker of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly South Sudan, Speaker Council of States South Sudan Deng Deng Akon, Speaker of the Kenya Senate Amason Jeffali Kingi, President of the Burundi Senate, MP Emmanuel Sinzohagera, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of Congo Sama Lakonde Jean Michael, President Dusemat of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Speaker of the Rwanda Chamber of Deputies Gertrude Kazarwa.
Others were the Speaker of the Rwanda Senate, Francois Xavier Kalinda, Speaker of the House of the People of Tederd Parliament of Somalia Sheikh Adam Muhamad Nur “Madoebe” and Speaker of the Senate, Federal Republic of Somalia, Abdu Hashi Abdullahi.
Since its re-establishment in 1999, the EAC has grown to encompass eight partner states, bringing together more than 312 million people.
Ackson noted that the Bureau of EAC Speakers, established in 2008, has been instrumental in fostering a strong working relationship between national legislatures and the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).
“Our bureau acts as the legislative backbone of the EAC integration agenda, providing a platform where we, as Speakers, can align our national interests with our collective aspirations,” Ackson said.