President Kagame represented by President of the Senate, Rt. Hon Bernard Makuza at Special Sitting
East African Legislative Assembly, Kigali, Rwanda, November 24, 2015: Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame is calling on the region to concert its integration efforts and to address challenging issues notably insecurity, bad governance and corruption as it garners to realise the regional economic bloc’s Vision 2050.
The President’s remarks were delivered by the President of the Senate, Rt. Hon Bernard Makuza, at the commencement of the 3rd Meeting of the 4th Session of the 3rd Assembly at the Parliament of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda, this afternoon.
He reiterated that all East Africans must eradicate the “business as usual” mindset and strive towards progress of strengthening integration. “As legislators, we must ask questions and keep searching for solutions for and on behalf of our people.
We must identify and address whatever may divert the progress of the Community, and ensure that there are no obstacles to our co-operation for integration. And to start with, procedures and processes governing Organs of the Community should not be themselves an obstacle to the growth of the Community”, Rt. Hon Makuza said.
Rt. Hon Makuza tasked the EAC to involve all the people in the integration process for the tangible benefits to be realized.
“It is indeed common sense that our people must be consulted and involved in each step of integration programs as much as possible. The fact of the matter is that, the cost of failing to involve people widely enough, ultimately is much higher than what is required to invest, for people’s participation in the decision-making processes”, Rt.Hon Makuza told the House.
He called on the EAC Partner States to speedily implement the Common Market Protocol saying the delay had caused citizens a number of opportunities. Rt Hon Makuza further hailed EALA for the attention it is paying to issues of natural resources, environment management, food security and rural development. He said that Rwanda had after the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi, learnt vital lessons that essentially enabled the country to transform itself.
The country, Rt Hon Makuza, added, understood that unity, security and good governance were key for survival and sustainability as a nation and that Rwanda had remained committed to the EAC.
He said Parliament of Rwanda had listened carefully to the will of the people regarding the country’s Constitutional Amendment.
“As legislators, there is no other voice to hear, other than our people’s will, both in decision-making and in accountability. People’s aspirations are the only argument against intimidations and prejudices. National sovereignty belongs to our people. We cannot afford to apologize for the very things that work for our people, and which make us stronger. This is the real expression of democracy” Rt Hon Makuza said.
The President of the Rwanda Senate further urged the Assembly to articulate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the UN in September this year, while placing people and the environment at the centre of the priorities.
In his remarks, the Speaker of the EALA, Rt. Hon Daniel F. Kidega noted that East Africans were interested in seeing more tangible benefits of integration through the various integration pillars.
“With regards to the Customs Union, we are glad the Summit is pushing for the operationalization of the Single Customs Territory to streamline and enhance clearance of goods. The improvement at the Dar es Salaam and Mombasa ports will make both the Central and Northern Corridors attractive in terms of facilitation of trade”, Rt Hon Kidega said.
The Speaker said the Assembly, was concerned about what is taking place in the neighbouring Republic of Burundi.
“Many lives have been lost, others maimed, peace disrupted, property damaged and the economy destabilized following the rapid escalation of violence and the instability over the last few months. The situation is worrying and could be dire and grave”, Rt. Hon Kidega said.
“I have recently had the opportunity of meeting with the President of the Senate of Burundi and called upon him to rally the country’s legislators to go above and beyond the call of duty in restoring stability,” Speaker Kidega added.
“As an Assembly, we have also debated on and passed the Report of the Goodwill Mission of EALA to the Burundi Refugees in Eastern Province of Rwanda and in Kigoma in the United Republic of Tanzania. Last week, the Assembly also received a petition from concerned East Africans keen to see the impasse resolved”, he remarked.
Rt. Hon Kidega added that EALA was further keen to buttress the mode of assent of Bills.
''We are of the view that the region takes advantage of the Summit sittings which can create opportune moment for the Summit Members to exercise their mandate as stipulated under Article 63.” Speaker Kidega said.
The Speaker further rooted for sustained funding for the Community saying it was time for the EAC Partner States to seek alternative mechanisms for funding.
At the EALA Session, the following matters form notable business:
1.The EAC Forest Management and Protection Bill, 2015 – 2nd and 3rd Reading
2.The EAC Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Bill, 2015 -2nd and 3rd Reading
3.Debate and adopt Reports of various Committees of the House.
A number of Reports are also expected to be debated and adopted.
In her remarks, the Speaker of the Rwanda Chamber of Deputies, Rt. Hon Donatile Mukabalisa, hailed the existing relations between the Parliament of Rwanda and EALA. She said Parliament of Rwanda had focused on the speedy harmonization of the country’s laws with those passed by EALA.
She mentioned that Parliament of Rwanda was also readying itself for the Inter-Parliamentary Games’ Tournament on December 4-11th, 2015, which brings together EALA and National Assemblies.
Moving the vote of thanks, Hon Dora Byamukama said the Assembly would deliberate on the message of H.E Paul Kagame and to find the mechanisms to implement the directives.
Hon Byamukama said the EAC was yearning for accelerated pace of implementation of laws to speed up integration in the EAC region. She hailed the Secretary General of the EAC, Amb Dr Richard Sezibera for introducing the scorecard on Non-Tariff Barriers.
Hon Byamukama maintained that issues concerning human rights needed to be addressed as a matter of priority.
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