Minister: Tanzania will not quit EAC
News
By
James Mbaka
| Nov 19, 2013
By JAMES MBAKA
NAIROBI, KENYA: The East Africa Community (EAC) through its regional legislative assembly has dismissed as misinformation reports that Tanzania could pull out of the community.
The assembly also announced that negotiations for the Monetary Union Protocol have been completed and the summit of EAC Heads of State will sign it on November 30 in Kampala, Uganda.
This follows the meeting of the attorneys general of the EAC partner states held last week in Arusha. The attorneys general endorsed and advised that the Protocol was in conformity with the Treaty for the establishment of the EAC and advised the Heads of State to sign it.
The protocol is expected to usher in the convergence of the fiscal policies and eventually, the single currency.
READ MORE
Is government on 'fuliza' mode? What Treasury numbers show
Expert: The shilling has regained value, but don't expect it to last
EAC Central Bank Governors meet in Juba as single currency race debate heats up
Ruto to push for global finance reforms at World Bank meeting
Unearthing the artifacts of WWII: A journey through Matuu and beyond
Roam, County Bus Service partner to deploy 200 electric buses
Budget cuts loom for Parliament thanks to Sh9.6b Bunge Towers
Private sector partnerships important to catalysing sports
Tax stand-off as boda boda riders defy county call to pay
Islamic banking gets traction in Africa as Salaam Bank feted
The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) said Tanzania was committed to the regional integration process and would stay the course.
Speaking on behalf of Assembly members on the issue, EALA Chairperson of the Council of Ministers Shem Bagaine of Uganda said the commitment by Tanzania to remain within the EAC had been indicated by the country’s president.
“The commitment by Tanzania was emphasised by none other than President Jakaya Kikwete during his address to members of Tanzania’s Parliament in Dodoma that his country was committed to the integration of the EAC,” Bagaine said
Speaking ahead of the third-meeting of the second session, the first one in the country after the start of the third Assembly, EALA said speculation that Tanzania was withdrawing from the regional body was based on misinformation.
“The speculation in the media was as a result of misinformation, misrepresentation and misunderstanding of the meetings that have been held in the past among some member states,” he said.
The Ugandan minister termed as a “non-issue” criticism on the tripartite talks between Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda, saying the infrastructural summit held in Nairobi last year on the prioritisation of projects within member states allowed countries with convergent investment interests to hold joint ventures.
Green light
“The summit prioritised projects like energy, railway, roads and electricity and gave a green light to partners to hold joint, bilateral or tripartite implementation of the projects located within partner states,” he explained.
Bagaine, however, hinted that Tanzania could have been disgruntled with some issues when he said: “In any society differences arise but they are resolved within the framework.”
EALA will be sitting in Nairobi at the newly refurbished County Hall Chambers starting today until November 26 and will be addressed by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday next week.
The Assembly is expected to debate and adopt various committee reports on oversight of EAC activities, motions and resolutions.
- Is government on 'fuliza' mode? What Treasury numbers show
- Budget cuts loom for Parliament thanks to Sh9.6b Bunge Towers