Writes Leo Odera Omolo.
The East African Community is currently suggesting a plan that will create equality in the distribution of integration benefits, opportunities and organs.
This is meant to stem tension created by recent jostling over the position and hosting of regional bodies that in the past led to deep disagreement among partner states.
Except for the position of the Secretary General who is deputized by four officials from each partner states and is rotational by an Act of the EAC Treaty, other position no clear representation criteria creating what in some corners has been perceived as unequal.
The region has commissioned a study on equity and distribution of benefits such as employment that is expected to be reviewed at the 22nd ordinary Council of ministers meeting slated for Arusha next week.
In addition, each partner state has been asked to identify five centers of excellence which will elevated to the status of EAC organs, and used to foster regional pursuits. Among those identified in Kenya are Starehe Boys Center, and the Maritime College.
The developments stem from realization that the East African Community has outgrown its original structure and now requiring for urgent review to reflect the current developments.
A recent press statement from the Arusha based EAC secretariat indicates that many citizens are not aware of the benefits of integration due to luck of documentation. Although the study is yet to be made public, top on the benefits distribution is rotating the succession of senior officials, on a limited term on that basis. This will widen the list of key posts that should be rotated among the five partner states other than of the Secretary General and is four deputies.”
The Council of Ministers, the policy making organ of the community, has resolved that the position of heads of institutions should be held by nationals of the partner states “strictly on rotation basis,” the statement said. The announcement has also been made with increasing signs that the partner states were jostling to have their nationals take charge of key posts in Arusha-based secretariat and in other programs derailing smooth operations.
The former Secretary General Ambassador Juma Voster Mwapachu before his departure from the community services last week when he was replaced by the Rwandan Health Minister Richard Sezibera had told the staff during various meetings that lack human resources department at the secretariat was to blame for the jostling, but even where the law is clear, certain developments lead to heated arguments.
A case in point is that of Mr Mwapachu who exited from the community service last week, and whose succession has been subjected to his profile exchange based on who between Kenya, Rwanda and Burundi succeed Mwapachu who stepped down last week.
Under the new guidelines, a partner state whose candidate is appointed head or deputy head of a community institutions shall not at the end of the contract period, be eligible to apply for the position.
Other reports emerging from Arusha says there I a stand off is looming at the EAC secretariat following the East African legislative Assembly MPs recent refusal to approve the USD 3.48 million meant to speed up negotiation for Economic Partnership Agreement{EPA with the European Union.
At the 23rd extraordinary meeting of the EAC’S Council of Minster’s meeting held in Kigali, Rwanda a fortnight ago, the Council was reported to have petition the East African Legislative Assembly {EALA} MPs to allow the use of the funds donated by the Swedish International Development Agency {SIDA} for the EPA talks.
The stand off has been simmering since last December when the community asked for the funds under supplementary budget, but the request was turned down on the ground that using donor money for the EPA talks would erode the bloc’s independence and lead to the region yielding to the demands of the EU.
Last Tuesday, a report was tabled before the house by the Council requesting EALA to reconsider its decision and unlock the funds to jumpstart the stalled talks.
EALA Speaker Abdulrahin Abdi confirmed the House had received the report and had requested time to study it and response and that it would be debated at the May session.
Part from the concerns the donor funds would weaken the region’s bargaining position. EALA has raised the questions about the benefits of the EPA, saying they would open the local markets import for international goods, killing off fragile local industries, especially in agriculture.
Speaker Abdi said the entire House supported the decision, and needs to be convinced that the EPAs will not leave the region’s economy under siege from cheap imports.
Ends