The East Africa legislative Assembly

QUESTIONS ASKED TO THE CHAIRPERSON OF EAC COUNCIL OF MINISTERS BY MEMBERS OF THE 2ND EAST AFRICAN LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY FROM JUNE 2007 TO FEBRUARY 2009

The Hon. Daniel Wandera Ogalo (Uganda) asked the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of the EAC;

1. QUESTION : REF: EALA/PQ/OA/01/2008

(a) Article 123 (d) of the Treaty provided for “peaceful resolution of disputes and conflicts ……….. within Partner States” as one of the objectives the Community shall pursue.

The American Secretary of State, Bishop Desmond Tutu, Grace Machel, Benjamin Mkapa, Koffi Anan and the President of Ghana all went to Nairobi in the aftermath of the general elections to resolve the dispute in Kenya.

Can the Minister inform the House what role the East African Community has played to attain peaceful resolution of the conflict in Kenya?

(b) As a result of the conflict of the many people died, others were displaced and a lot of property destroyed. Can the Minister inform the House if there exists a policy in the Community on elections in Partner States? If so what is the policy? And if none what is the status of a report of an organ of the Community duly accredited by a national electoral Commission to observe elections?

2. QUESTION: REF: EALA/PQ/OA/02/2008

Article 123 of the Treaty requires the Community to establish and implement common foreign and security policies. The Council of Ministers is required to determine when Article 123 paragraphs 2, 3, and 4 shall become operative and how they shall be implemented.

When, (if at all) did the Council of Ministers operationalise that Article? Can the Minister lay on the Table of the House the regulations/directives it issues (if any) on implementation of the Article?

The Hon. Dora Kanabahita Byamukama (Uganda) asked the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of the EAC;

3. QUESTION: REF: EALA/PQ/OA/03/2008

The Summit of the East African Community Heads of State held on 30th November, 2006 in Arusha, Tanzania granted East African Community Membership to the Republic of Burundi and the Republic of Rwanda effective 1st July, 2007. The Council of Ministers subsequently amended some provisions of the Treaty establishing the East African Community with a view of facilitating effective participation of the two Member States. According to Article 150 (6) “Any amendment to the Treaty shall be adopted by the Summit and shall enter into force when ratified by all Partner States”. This had not yet been done; as such, the Assembly was prompted to adopt a Resolution passed at its 4th Meeting urging all Partner States to expedite the process of ratification of the amendments and to deposit their respective Instruments of ratification with the Secretary General as per Article 152 of the Treaty. Bearing this in mind,

• Could the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers up date the Assembly on the status of the ratifications?

4. QUESTION: REF: EALA/PQ/OA/04/2008

Members of EALA participated in a Workshop on EPAs Negotiations in Entebbe, Uganda. This Workshop produced a Report that strongly recommended for EPAs Negotiations to be halted in light of critical concerns that had been raised by Stakeholders. The recommendations notwithstanding, the EAC Partner States signed onto the Interim Framework on EPAs. Considering the importance of the concerns raised and the need to take into account laws of the Community and the on-going Integration Process:

• Could the Chairperson, Council of Ministers brief the Assembly on the content and implications of the Interim EPAs Framework?

5. QUESTION: REF: EALA/PQ/OA/05/2008

The construction of the EAC Headquarters is required now more than ever. This is further justified by the dire need for space in light of the continued expansion of the EAC operations prompted by the Integration Process, and the admission of the Republic of Burundi and that of Rwanda.
This construction of the EAC Headquarters is an important multi-million Euro Development Project. Bearing this in mind,

• Could the Chairperson, Council of Ministers give the August House an update on the construction of the EAC Headquarters?

6. QUESTION: REF: EALA/PQ/OA/06/2008

Article 71 (1) (o) of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community is instructive on the functions for which the Secretariat is responsible. The Secretariat is inter alia responsible for the Establishment of Practical Working Relations with the Court and the Assembly.

• Could the Chairperson, Council of Ministers inform this August House on the steps that have so far been taken to establish practical working relations amongst the three organs of the Community?

The Hon. Safina Tsungu Kwekwe (Kenya) asked Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of the EAC;

7. QUESTION : REF: EALA/PQ/OA/07/2008

Over the years, the EAC Secretariat has attracted funding to carryout development projects. One such Projects is the Namanga - Athi River Road Project, this is a trans-border road Project; that is to cost about USD$175 million. It is noted that there has been undue delay in the execution of this important Project which has raised serious concerns in the EAC.

Could the Chairperson, Council of Ministers brief the Assembly on:

• The status of the works on the Namanga-Athi River Project; and

• Provide information on schedules and specifically the projected date for completion.


The Hon. Abdullah Mwinyi asked the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of the EAC;

8. QUESTION : REF: EALA/PQ/OA/08/2008

The Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community (in Article 9) establishes the East African Court of Justice as an organ of the Community. The Treaty further vests in the Court the power to ensure adherence to the rule of law, and application of and compliance with the Treaty. The Judge President, the Vice President and Judges of the Court are only appointed by the Summit. The Assembly having noted that His Lordship Justice M. Ole Keiwua and His Lordship Justice Augustino Ramadhan ceased being Judges of the East African Court of Justice, their term of office having come to an end in November 2007, adopted a Resolution in December 2007, urging the Summit to immediately appoint a Judge President and such number of Judges to ensure a full bench of the Court and to determine their comprehensive terms and conditions of service. The Assembly also urged the Summit to appoint Judges of the Appellate Division.

• Could the Chairperson, Council of Ministers inform this August House on the status of implementing the Resolution?

The Hon. Margaret Zziwa Nantongo asked the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of the EAC;

9. QUESTION : REF: EALA/PQ/OA/10/2008

Would the Hon. Minister inform the House the steps being taken by the Community to support the East African school of aviation, Soroti as an EAC Aviations school of Excellence, for training the Pilots and other aviation professionals in East Africa?


10. QUESTION : REF: EALA/PQ/OA/11/2008

(a) Will the Hon. Minster inform this House of the steps taken by the Community to upgrade the Port of Tanga particularly in the short run and the medium term to alleviate the congestion at the Port of Mombasa in order to facilitate trade particularly to the inland Partner States of Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi?

(b) Will the Hon. Minister also detail to this House, the support required to improve the port of Mombasa to alleviate its congestion particularly with regard to the trade facilitation mechanisms to the Customs and warehouse sector?

The Hon. Augustine Lotodo asked the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of the EAC;

11. QUESTION : REF: EALA/PQ/OA/12/2008

The nomadic committees along the borders of Uganda and Kenya have persistently engaged in armed cattle rustling with devastating effect. The problem has been prominent due to the presence of armed communities on both sides.

(1) What efforts are being used to end cross-border cattle rustling along the border of Kenya and Uganda?

(2) How are the concerned communities being engaged in the process of peace and development of the shared resources?

The Hon. Safina Tsungu Kwekwe (Kenya) asked the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of the EAC;

12. QUESTION : REF: EALA/PQ/OA/13/2008

One of the key strategies for deepening and widening of the EAC integration process is the promotion of the tourism sector. Arguably, tourism attractions in the EAC Partner States to a large extent compliment each other and for this reason, the EAC Development Strategy 2006 – 2010 has accorded it priority in order to enhance competitiveness stimulate investments in the region and to generate a higher level of linkages in the economy. Strategic interventions options towards this end includes; Harmonization of laws, Policies and Regulations, Consultative meetings by the sectoral committees, the development of a Tourism marketing plan and strategy, facilitation of cross-boarder tourism in order to make EAC a single tourism destination, running joint programme development of a sustainable financial base etc.

However, if not well planned and implemented, these strategic efforts may be interrupted by global key challenges facing the sector namely; the high marketing costs and fierce competition from other formidable competitors in other regions. Therefore, could the Honourable Chairperson of the Council of Ministers while having regard to the imminent coming into force of the EAC Common Market:

1. Update this August House on the efforts aimed at enhancing cooperation of the Partner States in this sector in order to promote the industry and to maximize gains.

2. Inform this August House whether the sectoral Committee has engaged any consultative meetings and whether they have made any binding resolutions since its inception.

13. QUESTION : REF: EALA/PQ/OA/14/2008

Culture, heritage and proper documentation are areas which ought to provide the longest and strongest links between the EAC Partner States. Therefore, could the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers tell this August House:
a) How much longer will it take for the EAC protocol on Sports and Culture to be concluded?

b) What steps have been taken so far (if any) to consolidate a regional databank of the Cultural artifacts and other items of national heritage to the Partner States, that were taken away from the Region (either by colonialists, art collectors etc)? What steps are being made to repossess/repatriate them?

c) Whether there are any steps to consolidate the national archives of the Partner States into a regional network for ease of reference?

The Hon. Catherine Kimura (Kenya) asked the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of the EAC;

14. QUESTION : REF: EALA/PQ/OA/15/2008

The need for the EAC to provide adequate and reliable transport infrastructure is key to attracting investment into the region, improving competitiveness, and promoting trade. A revitalized railway system as one of the options could therefore bring substantial benefits to the region particularly for long distance and bulky transportation of goods as well as facilitating passenger transport. The finalized EAC Master plan which is currently being reviewed to also include the Republics of Rwanda and Burundi takes cognizance of these facts. Therefore, could the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers inform this August House of the following:

(i) The routes prioritized in this project;

(ii) Whether the plan includes rehabilitation of old routes, reopening those that were closed and opening new routes that run parallel to the major EAC highways in order to provide access for heavy goods;

(iii) Whether a comprehensive concession process in underway.

15. QUESTION : REF: EALA/PQ/OA/16/2008

With the anticipated coming into being of the EAC Common Market, and in the operationalization of Articles 7 (1, c) of the Treaty that emphasizes “the establishment of an export oriented economy for the Partner States in which there shall be free movement of goods, persons, labour, services, capital, information and technology” and 90 (f) that requires Partner States to “adopt common requirements for the insurance of goods and vehicles”; what plans are in place to harmonize insurance laws especially for:

d) Motor vehicles so that once comprehensively insured, a vehicle can operate in all EAC States without having to get extra insurance in other Partner States of the EAC;

e) Workers especially on workman’s compensation and harmonized insurance packages for workers;

f) Property - plant, buildings, fixtures etc so that investors with investments all over the region can have a one stop insurance center anywhere in the region for all their investment interests in the region.

The Hon. Dan Wandera Ogalo (Uganda) asked the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of the EAC;


16. QUESTION: REF: EALA/PQ/OA/17/2008

Article 138 (2) of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community requires the Secretary General to conclude with the Government of Tanzania an Agreement relating to the privileges and Immunities to be recognized and granted to the Community.

The East African Legislative Assembly and the East African Court of Justice are Organs of the Community.

It is now seven (7) years since the two Organs came into being but no Agreement has up to date been concluded by the Secretary General.

Can the Chairperson Council of Ministers inform the House how much more time the Secretary General requires to conclude a Headquarters Agreement in respect of the Members of the Assembly and the Judges of the East African Court of Justice?

The Hon. Lydia Wanyoto Mutende (Uganda) asked the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of the EAC;

18. QUESTION: REF/PQ/OA/18/2008

The Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community provides that a Customs Union shall be the First stage in the process of economic integration. Therefore, the EAC regional integration commenced with the coming into being of the Customs Union which has been in existence over three years now. It has been stated by the Secretary General in various fora that the EAC Customs Union has been a major success and has boosted regional trade with benefits accruing to Partner States. Similarly, it is the precursor of the EAC Customs Union and the other stages of integration.
Therefore, could the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers:

a] Give a full account of both the qualitative and quantitative trends in the evaluation of the Customs Union;

b] Inform the August House on the full implementation schedule up to 2010 the targeted date for a fully fledged Customs Union and state whether we are on track and where we want to go after 2010.

19. QUESTION: REF: EALA/PQ/OA/19/2008

The EAC Common Market is instrumental in achieving full EAC integration. Among other things, it will promote free movement of persons and as well as promoting the right of establishment. This lays the foundation for common currency and Political Federation of the EAC and as such, important key players have been engaged in the negotiations in a bid to beat the deadline for its signing in June 2009 and official launch in January 2010. Therefore:-

a] Is the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers aware that the East African Legislative Assembly has not been consulted nor involved in the negotiations of the Protocol for the Common Market, despite several reminders and concerns raised at various fora.
b] Could the Chairperson of the Council inform this August Assembly whether the negotiations are on track and when the views of the Assembly on this matter will be taken on board.

20. QUESTION: REF: EALA/PQ/OA/20/2008

Proper identification of citizens of the Partner States is crucial for the operationalization of the Common Market Protocol. The most important form of identification is through issuance of National IDs by the Governments of the Partner States. This has been the case for the Republic of Kenya, Rwanda and Burundi which has not yet been adopted by the Republics of Tanzania and Uganda. Taking into account the advantages of having national IDs, could the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers inform this August House on the measures being undertaken by the EAC to support the Governments of the Republics of Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania in issuing IDs to the respective citizens.

21. QUESTION: REF: EALA/PQ/OA/21/2008

Among other benefits of the integration process is the equitable distribution of resources and sharing of common services like education.

a] Is the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers aware that discrimination is widespread in the enjoyment of common services?

b] Is the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers further aware that discrimination in the education sector is widespread especially in fees structure, on the account of treating students from the Partner States other than theirs, as being foreigners and therefore subjected to high school fees structures?

c] What is the Council of Ministers doing to reverse this trend?

22. QUESTION: REF: EALA/PQ/OA/22/008

The Assembly takes special recognition of the institutional development of the EAC. Over the years it has played a crucial role in enacting the necessary laws for the furtherance of the integration process as well as passing several motions to give EAC Organs and Institutions special status. Towards this end, the Assembly, in February 2008 debated and passed a motion for a resolution of the Assembly urging the EAC Council of Ministers to upgrade the positions of the Clerk, Counsel to the Community and the Registrar of the East African Court of Justice to Executive level positions in the structure of the EAC.

Could the Chairperson of the Council inform the August House of the progress made to date to operationalise the Resolution of the Assembly?

The Hon. Dora Kanabahita Byamukama (Uganda) asked the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of the EAC;

23. QUESTION : REF: EALA/PQ/OA/23/2008

In order to promote the achievement of the objectives of the Community, the Partner States of the EAC are determined to strengthen their economic, social, cultural, political and technological ties for a fast balanced and expeditious realisation of the Customs Union, Common Market, Monetary Union and Political Federation.

In tandem with the above, the Partner States are required to adopt measures to ease movement of persons across the EAC borders as an interim measure before the commencement of the EAC Common Market.

Aware of the above, the people of the Republic of Burundi during the EALA Common Market hearings (17 – 23 December, 2008), raised questions as to why the United Republic of Tanzania still charges them Visa fees before gaining access to the United Republic of Tanzania.

Bearing in mind provisions of Article 104 (3) (a) (b) and (c), can the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers explain why this practice has persisted even after the Republic of Burundi joined the East African Community?

24. QUESTION : REF: EALA/PQ/OA/24/2008

Article 150 lays down the process of amending the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community. As a key stakeholder, the Assembly in December 2007 adopted the Report of the Committee on Legal, Rules and Privileges and collectively resolved to urge the Council of Ministers through the Secretary General to take into account their views during the Treaty amendment process.

Can the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers appraise this august House on the actions so far taken in respect of the Assembly decision?

The Hon. Dora Kanabahita Byamukama (Uganda) asked the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of the EAC;

25. QUESTION : REF: EALA/PQ/OA/1/2009

In order to promote the achievement of the objectives of the Community, the Partner States of the EAC are determined to strengthen their economic, social, cultural, political and technological ties for a fast balanced and expeditious realisation of the Customs Union, Common Market, Monetary Union and Political Federation.

In tandem with the above, the Partner States are required to adopt measures to ease movement of persons across the EAC borders as an interim measure before the commencement of the EAC Common Market.

Aware of the above, the people of the Republic of Burundi during the EALA Common Market hearings (17 – 23 December, 2008), raised questions as to why the United Republic of Tanzania still charges them Visa fees before gaining access to the United Republic of Tanzania.

Bearing in mind provisions of Article 104 (3) (a) (b) and (c), can the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers explain why this practice has persisted even after the Republic of Burundi joined the East African Community?

26. QUESTION : REF: EALA/PQ/OA/2/2009

Article 150 lays down the process of amending the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community. As a key stakeholder, the Assembly in December 2007 adopted the Report of the Committee on Legal, Rules and Privileges and collectively resolved to urge the Council of Ministers through the Secretary General to take into account their views during the Treaty amendment process.

Can the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers appraise this august House on the actions so far taken in respect of the Assembly decision?

The Hon. Lydia Wanyoto-Mutende (Uganda) asked the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of the EAC;

27. QUESTION : REF: EALA/PQ/OA/3/2009

The 2nd EAC Development Strategy 2006 – 2010 lists a number of important interventions in keeping in line with the EAC integration process. Among the important avenues aimed at deepening and widening of the EAC integration agenda is to establish an autonomous, independent and a strong Assembly.

What has the Council of Ministers done over the years to fulfill the mission espoused by the Development Strategy and the EAC Treaty?

28. QUESTION : REF: EALA/PQ/OA/4/2009

The reliance on credible statistics is one of the areas through which the EAC can harness its resources and boast of a favourable market base. The EAC has continuously relied on a figure of about 120 million people residing in the region of which about 30 million of those live along the shores of Lake Victoria.

Aware that some of the Partner States have not updated their statistics through a census; is it necessary to continue quoting obsolete figures? If no:-
Can the Chairperson of the Council:

1. Inform this House the basis of the information quoted.

2. Inform this House if there is a regional agenda to conduct a survey or census to establish the population in the EAC Partner States.

3. Whether there are efforts to establish a regional statistics databank and if so, what is the progress of implementation?

29. QUESTION : REF: EALA/PQ/OA/5/2009

In September 2007, at a meeting of the EAC Sectoral Council on Health, the Partner States adopted the EAC Regional Health Strategic Plan. However, at subsequent meetings, the United Republic of Tanzania withdrew its approval of the Strategic Plan on the premise that there was a need to re-define the meaning of sexual rights. This has frustrated very critical health interventions in areas of Female Genital Mutilation, Maternal Health, HIV/AIDS, cross border emergencies, communicable diseases and Malaria among others.

What has the Council of Ministers done about resolving the impasse?

The Hon. Mike Sebalu (Uganda) to ask the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of the EAC;

30. QUESTION : REF: EALA/PQ/OA/006/2009

Pursuant to the Provisions of Article 59(3)(c) of the Treaty, “The Assembly shall hold an annual debate on the report to be submitted to it by the Council on progress made by the Community in the development of its common foreign and security policies”.

Could the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of EAC;

(i) Inform this House why the above named report has never been submitted to the Assembly for the last six years;

(ii) Update this House on the progress made by the Community in the development of its common foreign and security policies; and

(iii) Undertake to submit the report annually to the Assembly as per the directives of the provisions of the Treaty cited above.

 The Hon. Christopher Nakuleu (Kenya) to ask the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of the EAC;

31. QUESTION : REF: EALA/PQ/OA/007/2008

During the 3rd Meeting of the Second Session of the 2nd Assembly held in Kampala, Uganda from 1st – 15th December, 2008, the House considered a report of the Accounts Committee on various Audited Accounts of EAC for the Financial Year ended 30th June 2007.

The House accordingly adopted a number of recommendations and directives for implementation by the EAC Management.

Could the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of EAC:

(iv) Update this august House on the progress of the recommendations and directives of the House;

(v) Table before this House a memorandum detailing the respective actions taken.


The Hon. Dora Kanabahita Byamukama (Uganda) to ask the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of the EAC;

32. QUESTION : REF: EALA/PQ/OA/008/2009

The Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community has entrenched provisions through which the EAC Partner States could resolve any conflict arising amongst the Member States either through application of the fundamental and operational principles of International law or through bilateral arrangements.

Article 124 specifically emphasizes the need to maintain peace and security in order to enhance the social and economic development within the Community. This idea is reinforced by the need to promote the realization of the objectives of the Community. Therefore, as a matter of principle, the Partner States are required to foster and maintain an atmosphere that is conducive to peace and security through cooperation and consultations on issues pertaining to peace and security of the Partner States with a view to prevention, better management and resolution of disputes and conflicts between them so as to maintain good neighborliness amongst themselves.

could the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers inform this august House when the conflict resolution mechanism provided for under the Treaty will be put in place?


The Hon. Dr. Aman Walid Kabourou (Tanzania) to ask the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of the EAC;

33. QUESTION : REF: EALA/PQ/OA/009/2009

Considering that the recurrence of hunger as a result of food shortages within some of the EAC Partner States such as Kenya and Tanzania is both a tragedy as well as an embarrassment;

(a) How many hunger related deaths have been recorded in the region this year?

(b) How has the EAC helped in putting to an end this unfortunate recurrence of hunger in the region?

(c) Have the meteorological services been of any help in this fight? If so, how?

34. QUESTION : REF: EALA/PQ/OA/010/2009

Could the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers give a detailed update to this House on the progress so far made in the building of the Rwegura-Kigoma transmission lines?

The Hon. Augustine Loile Lotodo (Kenya) to ask the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of the EAC;

35. QUESTION : REF: EALA/PQ/OA/011/2009

The EAC is described as an intergovernmental organization of five Partner States namely; Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi. It is considered that all of them are equal partners in the Community. With this in mind, could the Chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers:-

34. Inform this august Assembly about the steps taken to include the Republic of Burundi and the Republic of Rwanda in the EAC Development Strategy.

35. Give the Assembly a stock of what has so far been done to fully integrate the two countries within the EAC.

36. Update the Assembly on what the trade flows are within the East African Partner States.

The Hon. Dan Kidega (Uganda) to ask the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of the EAC;

36. QUESTION : REF: EALA/PQ/OA/012/2009

The Customs Management Act, 2004 has so far been amended four times by the Assembly, making it the most amended piece of legislation so far. Specifically the amendments have included an extension of the date prescribed in the Act to allow the EAC partner States to resolve the problem of belonging to two Customs Unions. The last extension was granted in December 2008, for a period of one more year, which period is fast approaching.

Taking into account the time factor, could the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers inform this august House;-

1. Whether the Partner States have complied with the provisions of the Act in respect to resolving the problem of dual membership.

2. About the progress so far made and when the matter is likely to be concluded once and for all without necessitating further amendments.

The Hon. Dora Kanabahita Byamukama (Uganda) to ask the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of the EAC;

37. QUESTION : REF: EALA/PQ/OA/013/2009

The idea of an EAC Anthem has been before the Community for over eight years now. It was perceived that the EAC Anthem would cultivate a sense of togetherness and common belonging amongst the people of East Africa. Specifically, the EAC Anthem is expected to portray strong symbolic political, social and economic ethos which if well presented will increase our pride as a region.

Can the Hon. Chairperson of the Council of Ministers;-

(a) Inform this august House on the progress so far made in the implementation stages of the EAC Anthem.

(b) Inform this august House when the Anthem will formally be adopted and when it will legally be binding on the EAC.

38. QUESTION : REF: EALA/PQ/OA/014/2009

The Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community has entrenched provisions through which the EAC Partner States could resolve any conflict arising amongst the Member States either through application of the fundamental and operational principles of International law or through bilateral arrangements.

Article 124 specifically emphasizes the need to maintain peace and security in order to enhance the social and economic development within the Community. This idea is reinforced by the need to promote the realization of the objectives of the Community. Therefore, as a matter of principle, the Partner States are required to foster and maintain an atmosphere that is conducive to peace and security through cooperation and consultations on issues pertaining to peace and security of the Partner States with a view to prevention, better management and resolution of disputes and conflicts between them so as to maintain good neighborliness amongst themselves.

could the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers inform this august House when the conflict resolution mechanism provided for under the Treaty will be put in place.

39. QUESTION : REF: EALA/PQ/OA/015/2009

The EAC Common Market was perceived with the intention of expediting the free movement of the factors of production and of enterprise so that the citizens of the Partner States can enjoy as much as possible the advantages of integration including efficiency gains and productivity. The Treaty for the establishment of the EAC gives the proposed EAC Common Market the leverage required to do so by making a legal basis for it through the Common Market Protocol.

It’s full Operationalisation is expected by January 2010 which is a few months from now.

Appreciating that the challenges so far identified would affect the focus of the EAC Integration, the Summit in its wisdom thrashed out from the agenda. The controversial issues which has helped the negotiators to proceed with the annexures.

Could the Hon. Chairperson of the Council therefore, inform this august House on the progress so far made and wether we shall be on time to deliver the EAC Common Market?

40. QUESTION : REF: EALA/PQ/OA/016/2009

In February 2009, Question Reference EALA/PQ/OA/1/2009 was put to the Council of Ministers for oral reply in respect of the United Republic of Tanzania still charging visa fees for Burundi National’s entering the country while it was held that this is a bilateral issue, the Council of Ministers would still put it on their agenda for the two countries to resolve the matter. It was specifically held then that the continued charging of visa fees was detrimental not only to the eminent establishment of the Common Market, but the entire EAC integration agenda.

Could the Hon. Chairperson of the Council update the august House on the steps so far taken to address this situation and on what importance there is if any, to continue the charging of visa fees for Burundians?

The Hon. Dan Wandera Ogalo (Uganda) to ask the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of the EAC;

41. QUESTION : REF: EALA/PQ/OA/017/2009

The Partner States committed themselves to the elimination of non tariff barriers and to refrain from imposing further non-tariff barriers. They also undertook to evolve coordinated and harmonized transport policies so as to facilitate and promote the movement of traffic within the community. They further undertook to develop harmonized standards and regulatory laws, rules, procedures and practices in the said sector. It is a strategic intervention by the Community to harmonise procedures for issuance of entry permits.

(i) Can the chairperson explain to the House why the four Partners of Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi do not require a yellow fever certificate as a condition to entering those countries?
(ii) Given the natural interaction of East Africans across borders without due regard to entry points, is there a harmonized policy on yellow fever? If so, can the Minister detail contents of the policy? And if not, how effective are measures undertaken by Tanzania?

(iii) Is the Chairperson Council of Ministers aware that visa fees are payable by nationals of Burundi traveling to Tanzania? If the Minister is aware, does that position reflect the policy of the Community? If not, what steps has the minister taken to rectify the problem.