Political Parties have crucial role in Ensuring Integration

EAST AFRICAN LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

POLITICAL PARTIES HAVE CRUCIAL ROLE IN ENSURING INTEGRATION – EALA SPEAKER SAYS

East African Legislative Assembly, Arusha, Tanzania: May 30^th, 2016: EALA Speaker, Rt Hon Daniel Fred Kidega wants political parties to go the extra mile in fostering integration amongst the citizens of the region.

In the same vein, the Speaker is urging party stalwarts to be ambassadors of integration and for inclusivity of the same in the respective party manifestos whether in Government or in the Opposition.  The EALA Speaker made the call at the weekend when he met with the new Secretary General of the Chama cha Maendeleo na Demokrasia (CHADEMA), Dr Vincent Mashinji in Arusha, Tanzania.

Dr Mashinji was in Arusha to pay a courtesy call on leading institutions and organisations in the northern hub and the EAC capital.   He was accompanied by Former Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania and a Member of the Central Committee of the CHADEMA Party, Rt Hon Frederic Sumaye, the Mayor of Arusha, His Worship Kalisti Lazaro, Prof Mwesiga Baregu of the Central Committee, Chairman CHADEMA Arusha Town, Hon Magoma Drick Jr and the CHADEMA Northern Zone Co-ordinator, Mr Amani Golugwa among others.

The Speaker challenged the opposition party to espouse the policies of the EAC among its Membership. “EAC is aiming for Political Federation as its ultimate goal and integration must be people centred. The opposition as the alternative government in wait has a crucial role to play in enhancing integration”, the Speaker said.

The Secretary General of CHADEMA, Dr Vincent Mashinji remarked that the Opposition party would not be an obstacle in the integration dispensation.

“As a party, we are a democratic and diplomatic but we would like to challenge our leaders to ensure EAC integration is people centred and not merely an elitist club,” the CHADEMA Secretary General affirmed.

United Republic of Tanzania’s Former Premier, Rt Hon Frederic Sumaye said it was time for the region to move faster when it comes to integration.  “The stronger powers are integrating while the small ones are disintegrating.  At the EAC, we must show by example as we move towards a confederation”, he said, while calling for the existence of a stronger Assembly.

The Mayor of Arusha His Worship Kalisti Lazaro remarked that realizing full integration was beneficial to all citizens of Arusha and the entire region.  Prof Mwesiga Baregu, a Member of the Central Organising Committee of the party called for the direct elections of Members of EALA by the populace to enable the Assembly to be more representative. 

“It is time for the region to review the election of Members to EALA to enable universal suffrage and thus avoid subjection to whims of those beholden in power”, Prof Baregu said.

Present for EALA were Hon Judith Pareno, Hon Martin Ngoga, Hon Christopher Opoka and Hon Makongoro Nyerere.

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For more Information, contact: Bobi Odiko, Senior Public Relations Officer;
East African Legislative Assembly; Tel: +255-27-2508240 Cell: +255 787 870945+254-733-718036; Email:   bodiko@eachq.org  Web: https://www.eala.org Arusha, Tanzania