The regional Assembly is calling for the revitalization of the African culture as well as the promotion of freedom of expression and cultural democracy, which, it states is inseparable from social and political democracy. In this regard, EALA now wants the immediate signing and ratification of the Charter for African Cultural renaissance by the Summit of EAC Partner States, a Motion passed by the Assembly this afternoon states.
The Motion moved by Hon Abubakar Zein Abubakar notes that culture is important in delivering the Objectives of the EAC when it comes to strengthening integration efforts as articulated in Articles 5 and 119 of the Treaty.
The Resolution further states that Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania have ratified the Cultural Charter for Africa but that none of the Partner States have however signed and ratified the successor instrument to the Cultural Charter that is the Charter for African Cultural Renaissance. It thus urges the Summit of the EAC Heads of States to lead the Partner States in signing and ratifying the said Charter. In addition, for the implementation of the Charter to be realized, EALA urges the respective Parliaments to domesticate the Charter in their respective legal regimes and to support programmes for implementation.
The Charter for African Cultural Renaissance was adopted by the Heads of State and Governments of the African Union meeting in the sixth Ordinary Session in Khartoum, Sudan on January 23rd to 24th, 2006 and the preceding instrument on culture that is the Cultural Charter for Africa adopted in Port Louis, Mauritius, from July 2nd to 5th July, 1976.
The objectives of the Charter include: promoting an enabling environment for African peoples to maintain and reinforce the sense and will for progress and development, strengthening the role of culture in promoting peace and good governance and provision of resources to cope with globalization. In addition, the Charter aims to eliminate all forms of alienation, exclusion and cultural oppression everywhere in Africa, preserve and promote the African cultural heritage through preservation, restoration and rehabilitation and to integrate cultural objectives in development strategies.
When debate resumed, Hon Abubakar Zein Abubakar paid tribute to the founding fathers of the region for promoting culture. Mwalimu Julius Nyerere promoted Kiswahili in Tanzania while Jomo Kenyatta and Milton Obote were at the forefront of promoting cultural renaissance for the region and continent he said. Hon Abubakar noted that the African Union had turned fifty years and it was time to reflect on the future five decades. “We must plan for what we want to bequeath our children in the next fifty years”, he remarked. Hon Mukasa Mbidde noted that culture was fundamental as enshrined in Article 119 of the EAC Treaty. Hon Mike Sebalu remarked that it was necessary for Partner States to fully implement the regional and international instruments signed. He noted that culture continued to be the backbone of the society as a basis of the value systems.
“We must change the perception that the African culture is backward or depicts all the wrong things”, Hon Sebalu said.
In his contribution, Hon Abdullah Mwinyi urged the region to embrace unity in diversity similar to what the United Republic of Tanzania had adopted as part of the ethos in its leadership. He cited the roll-out of monetary transfers as a solution that is uniquely a result of African renaissance. “Africans have constantly shared resources including money with their compatriots. Today, technology has come into play and ensured the M-PESA initiative”, he stated.
Hon AbuBakr Ogle noted that even Europeans revitalized the development in science and technology after going through renaissance. Hitherto, they too had a false start, he said.
Others who rose in support of the motion were Hon Joseph Kiangoi who lamented that the advent of colonization led to the practical death of the rich African culture then. Hon Dora Byamukama said it was time to embrace an East African culture. She called the identification and outlawing of negative culture including wife inheritance and Female Genital Mutilation. Hon Shy-Rose Bhanji stated that there was need for additional information on the Charter. “The objectives of the Charter are good but in absence of text on the fundamentals, it becomes difficult to know where East Africa and Africa stand with regards to the ratification of the Charter”, she remarked.
Hon Frederic Ngenzebuhoro observed that though culture was dynamic, it continued to be recognized as an identity of a people. Hon Saoli ole Nkanae called for patenting of African culture. The Maasai Shuka (wrap around) is on the verge of been owned by foreigners the same way the kiondo (African basket) suffered, the legislator remarked. Let us improve culture but we should never get rid of it, he stated.
The Chair of the Council of Ministers, Hon Shem Bageine mentioned that culture needed to be protected and lamented that the media had exposed the young children to western culture which he termed “destructive to our values”.
“We need to pick the cultural aspects that shall build us and leave the negative ones that are retrogressive” the Minister added.
The Assembly also posed questions which were answered by the Chair of the Council, Hon Shem Bageine.
-Ends-
For more information, contact:
Bobi Odiko,
Senior Public Relations Officer,
East African Legislative Assembly,
Tel: Cell: +255-787-870945, +254-733-718036.
Email: Bodiko@eachq.org
