1. Posted on Wednesday 16 April 2008 - 07:57

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   Fredrick Mugira, AfricaNews reporter in Mbarara, Uganda

   The first Meeting of the High Level Task Force on the negotiations for the East African Common Market has kicked off in Kigali amidst strong expressions that the December 2008 deadline would be met.

   

   The EAC already operates a Customs Union since 2005 and the Common Market by January 2010 is scheduled to become reality by January 2010
   
   While officiating at the opening of the meeting, the Rwandese Minister of East Africa Community Affairs, Monique Mukaruliza called for dedication to East African union stating that only with intensified and deepened regional integration would the EAC Partner States reap the full benefits of globalization and avoid further marginalization the modern world economy.
   
   The Minister said that after the establishment of the EAC Customs Union in 2005, the establishment of the Common Market was the next most significant step in the EAC integration process. She said the Common Market was of paramount interest and strategic significance that would lay the basis for people- centered political Federation envisaged in the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community.
   
   The meeting that ends on 22 April is attended by senior officials of Government, and representatives of the business community and civil society of the EAC Partner States. Subsequent meetings of the High Level Task Force are scheduled to be held in the rest of the EAC capitals. The next meeting of the Task Force is scheduled for 14-22 May in Nairobi.
   
   East African Common Market consists of 120 million population in partner States Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi.
   
   Keywords: east_africa business

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Reactions

1. Posted on Saturday 03 May 2008 21:58

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   bhukabijumiro

   

   
   31 berichten
   Lid sinds April 2008

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   True, we support the steps taken by our leaders in Eastern Africa towards an East African Community. Fragmentation of Africa into many countries rather than a one united country is the major hindrance to African development into a giant wealth, rich and powerful nation than can compete in world affairs. Current African leaders should awaken within their minds and hearts, the true spirit of the African Union. To be thinking of a treaty for an East African Community at a time when many forward looking Africans are thinking of the African Union, is not so much a progressive idea. I think a most practical idea could have been an East African State not just a community but a unified East African Country with one Leader and Governors of districts. One national army with one headquarters under one command. Existing armies should then be disengaged from their respective existing countries to new stations in other existing countries. In other words mix them up in percentages; some in Tanzania go to Uganda, some in Uganda serve in Rwanda, those in Kenya serve in Burundi; spread them over the East African State (EAS) in other words distribute them accross the EAS so that they get used to knowing they serve one East African Nation. The same should later be done with the African Union when it becomes a reality. This is the only way you avoid military take overs of any part of a former African country in bid to break away.
   
   With the East African Nation, it is easy for other African countries to unite into similar regions until Africa unites as a unified country. However, for this to happen our leaders today must give up their selfish attachments to leadership without feeling loss of their political powers as the end of their worlds. Some of them can contest as governors in general elections in their respective areas. Each existing country today should be divided into several districts based on population density. Election of the President of the East African Country (nation) can be organized with the current heads of states serving as incumbent leaders but immediately the election is over, they surrender their powers to the elected Unitary President. They become resident commissioners for the time being until other arrangements are made for general parliamentary elections. Another way is for the incumbent leaders to become Cabinet Ministers in the new unified government. They can take positions as foreign affairs, defense, internal affairs, finance etc.
   
   In a secret ballot, each existing country's parliamentarians can elect who they think should be the new unified countries' president. Whoever emerges with the highest number of votes from all existing countries' parliaments becomes the Unitary Government leader. Simple. This way in the beginning you avoid spending too much time and money on organizing presidental elections. Incumbent heads of state must surrender to the outcome of the parliamentary elections of the preisdent of the East African State.
   
   After the first term of the Unitary government leader and his appointed cabinet ministers from all over the unified countries, presidential elections can then be organized accross the board and candidates who wish to compete can register with the East African Nation electoral commission chosen from across the board equitably.
   
   Likewise, parliamentary elections can be organized for the House of Congress and of the Senate if we chose to follow the American democratic system. Whatever is suitable for East Africans can be well organized.
   
   My point is, although the East African Community is a good idea and our leaders have taken steps into its possible making, we need to focus more on steps that will make it possible for the ultimate African Union rather than thinking in terms of regional tiers like a mere East African Community instead of a more stronger tier as an East African Country which makes it closer to an African Union.

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