Arusha, Tanzania – March 11th 2024 - In a groundbreaking move aimed at bolstering regional cooperation and accelerating the implementation of policies that support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) and the African European Parliamentarians Initiative (AEPI) have today signed a Collaboration Agreement to enhance research, capacity-building, and policy development within East African Parliaments.
The partnership, formalized in a ceremony at the EALA headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania, marks a significant milestone in the commitment of both organizations to strengthen democratic governance, regional integration, and evidence-based policymaking. The agreement lays the foundation for a collaborative framework to support the legislative and oversight functions of the East African Community (EAC) Partner States.
Key Areas of Cooperation:
This collaborative agreement sets forth a robust plan for both organizations to cooperate in several critical areas:
- Support for Legislative Capacity Building: EALA and AEPI will jointly work on increasing the use of research-based evidence in legislative processes across the EAC Partner States, ensuring that regional laws and policies are better informed by evidence.
- Research and Development of Case Studies: The partnership will focus on researching and documenting the success stories and challenges of regional integration, trade facilitation, and the execution of development projects, with the goal of identifying practical solutions.
- Training and Capacity Enhancement: Both organizations will collaborate on organizing workshops, conferences, and training programs aimed at strengthening the skills of legislators, researchers, and policy makers within EALA and National Assemblies of the EAC Partner States.
- Promoting Inclusivity: Efforts will be made to increase the participation of marginalized groups—including women, youth, persons with disabilities, civil society organizations, and the media—in shaping policies related to trade facilitation and regional integration.
- EALA/EAPI will act as the primary contact for collaborative activities between AEPI and East African Parliaments on capacity building and research.
- AEPI will take the lead in developing concept notes, curricula, and proposals, especially regarding Evidence Informed Policy Making (EIPM) and Creating Adaptive Policies and Laws (CAP).
Strengthening Regional Integration:
The signing of the Collaboration agreement comes at a pivotal time for the East African Community and the entire of the African Continent, particularly as the Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and Agenda 2063 set ambitious targets for sustainable development and economic integration. Both EALA and AEPI recognize that regional integration is crucial to the achievement of these objectives, and that without effective collaboration between regional think tanks, parliaments, and governments, the full potential of the AfCFTA and Agenda 2063 cannot be realized.
Statements from the Parties:
In his remarks, The Rt. Hon. Joseph Ntakirutimana, The Speaker of EALA hailed the signing of this Collaboration Agreement as a milestone towards the strengthening relations between the European parliament and EALA. Mr. Alex Obatre, Clerk of the East African Legislative Assembly, emphasized the importance of this partnership, stating, “This collaboration with AEPI is a key step towards ensuring that the legislative processes are not only more inclusive but also evidence-based. Together, we can advance regional integration and create a more transparent, accountable, and responsive system of governance within the East African Community.”
The President of AEPI, Brendan Howlin, who signed on behalf of AEPI, added, “AEPI’s longstanding commitment to strengthening African governance through research and capacity building finds a natural partner in EALA. This partnership is about enhancing the capacity of regional institutions to drive change and promote democratic governance in the region.”
Looking Ahead:
Over the next five years, the agreement will guide collaborative efforts in policy development, research, and capacity-building activities aimed at addressing the constraints and challenges to regional integration. The Parties will meet regularly to assess the progress of the initiatives and further explore opportunities to build upon the partnership.
The joint commitment of EALA and AEPI represents a promising step towards creating a stronger, more integrated East Africa, aligned with the broader goals of the African Union and the global community.
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For More Information:
For inquiries, please contact:
Nicodemus Ajak Bior
Senior Public Relations Officer (SPRO)
East Africa Legislative Assembly
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255-768-885-633/, +254729157207(WhatsApp)
Email: nbior@eachq.org
Web: www.eala.org
About EALA: The East African Legislative Assembly is an organ of the East African Community; established under Article 9 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community to legislate laws that contribute to the integration of the EAC, represent the citizens of partner states and oversight activities of EAC to ensure accountability among various organs and institutions of the community.
About AEPI: The African European Parliamentarians Initiative (AEPI) is an organization dedicated to fostering development, democracy, and human rights in Africa by strengthening regional governance and supporting the capacity of parliaments across the continent.
