Minister: Tanzania will not quit EAC

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.

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.

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