11th Regional Meeting of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly Concludes in Mauritius

The 11th Regional Meeting of the African Caribbean Pacific-European Union (ACP-EU) Joint Parliamentary Assembly has ended with delegates rallying for the harmonization and rationalization of regional integration in the face of multiple memberships.

The Communique released at the end of the three-day meeting in Port Louis, notes the need to rationalize the processes of integration given overlapping memberships in order to strengthen integration. It further underscores the importance of embracing regional integration as a means to creating an enabling environment for economic growth, development and poverty reduction. 

The delegates at the meeting further maintained that Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) must support regional integration. In addition, the ACP Members expressed concerns on the elimination of sugar quotas scheduled for 2017 and called for additional time to complete their adjustment processes.  This results from the fact that abolition of sugar quotas could lead to loss of competitiveness, revenues and adversely affect living conditions.

On regional infrastructure development, Members stated the need to catalyse and harness development within the sector. The Communique acknowledges that more attention needs to be paid to the needs of island nations for marine and air transport as well as digital connectivity. 

On peace and security, delegates called for enhanced resources to boost early warning systems in a bid to address armed conflicts and terrorism. 

In his presentation yesterday, Mbalambala constituency (Kenya) MP, Hon Abdikadir Aden noted that Kenya and the EAC region were victim of attacks of terrorism originating largely from Somalia.  He noted that more efforts were needed to offer alternatives targeting the youth. 

“Youth suffer from unemployment and often turn to terrorism.  We need to have their skills built through investments in the age group to be given sustainable form of livelihood to integrate in the society”, the legislator added.

On his part, the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, Hon Jacob Oulanyah, said that the ACP-EU needed to interrogate on the supply of arms and the effects of war on women and children.

“Nothing justifies war in any form. Even when in conflict, there need not necessarily be combat, but let us focus on solutions”, he said.

On piracy and maritime security, the conference called for an urgent need to strengthen institutions to combat piracy, enhance judicial co-operation efforts to bring pirates to justice and to trace ransom moneys.

“The international community needs to keep focus and maintain momentum in the fight against piracy”, the Secretary General of the Indian Ocean Commission, Jean Claude de l’Estrac said in his presentation to the meeting yesterday. “We must deal with the failed State of Somalia”, he added.

On urbanization challenges and waste management, the Members emphasized the need for political will, decentralization challenges and appropriate legislative frameworks to encourage sorting, recycling and sustainable management of household, industrial and electronic waste.

The delegates in attendance commended Mauritius as a model of democracy and accountability, characterized by effective separation of powers, independent judiciary, free and fair elections and the respect for human rights.

In his presentation today, Justice Ashraf Caunhye of the Supreme Court of Mauritius said it was vital for citizens to demand for effective, transparent, responsive and accountable institutions.

He remarked that for accountability to be realized there was need for effective anti-corruption bodies, national audit institutions and public procurement monitoring bodies.  In addition, the political parties and national human rights institutions need to have the space and capacities to perform their roles.

EALA which has an Observer status at the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly was represented by the Speaker, Rt. Hon Margaret Nantongo Zziwa. The Kenya National Assembly Deputy Speaker, Hon Dr. Joyce Laboso led her delegation to the three- day meeting.  Hon Laboso is the former Co-President of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly. Parliament of Uganda was represented by its Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon Jacob Oulanyah and Hon Rose Akol while Hon Job Ndugai, Deputy Speaker, led a delegation from the Parliament of Tanzania. Burundi was led by Hon Mo-Mamo Karerwa, Ist Vice President of the Burundi Senate.  The Rwanda Chamber of Deputies on its part, had the Deputy Speaker, Hon Uwimanimpaye Jeanne d’ Arc and Senator Michel Rugema  of the Senate in attendance. 

Ends

For more information, contact
Bobi Odiko,
Senior Public Relations Officer,
East African Legislative Assembly,
Tel: Cell: +255-787-870945, +254-733-718036.
No in Mauritius +230 590-90576;
Email: Bodiko@eachq.org