Civil Society in the EAC

Press Release—The East African Community Deputy Secretary General (Finance and Administration), Dr Julius Rotich, has urged the civil society to actively take part in the organization of and participate in the activities of the EAC, notably the upcoming 10th Anniversary of the Community.

In his remarks at the opening of the 3rd Annual East African Civil Society Forum (EACSOF) at the Corridor Springs Hotel, Arusha, Tanzania, Dr Rotich commended the civil society for its role in the regional integration process, noting that this needs to be enhanced further at a time when the EAC is engaged in efforts aimed at enhancing unity among its five Partner States with the ultimate goal of bringing about a Political Federation.

“It is important to note that the civil society has particularly significant stake in the affairs of the region and thus need to be given all the means and opportunities to impact the region’s affairs. The efforts of the EAC Secretariat need to be complemented by those of the civil society,” he said.

CSOs want greater role in integration process, trade negotiations

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on their part called for the involvement of all non-state actors in the formal structures of the region’s integration process.

In a joint communiqué issued at the end of the 20-21 March meeting, participants recommended to the EAC the adoption of “an all-inclusive nature and involvement of all non-state actors (with particular reference to the civil society) in the formal structures of the integration process and its full participation and institutionalisation in the [various] levels of discussions and negotiations”.

The forum also proposed consultations with the civil society in the on-going negotiations on the EAC Common Market and the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with the EU-ACP.

Participants call for integration of RtoP within EAC

Addressing the issue of peace and security, EACSOF participants called for the integration of the Responsibility to Protect norm (RtoP) within the EAC, urging governments to promote adherence to the RtoP norm while entreating the Community to fully undertake to support the East African chapter of the International Coalition of the Responsibility to Protect (IC RtoP). RtoP is characterised by the requirement to protect populations against genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Over 100 delegates and representatives of civil society organisations in the region attended the forum, which was officially opened by the EAC Deputy Secretary General (Finance and Administration), Dr Julius Rotich, representing Secretary General Amb. Juma Mwapachu.

The two-day forum was organised by the EAC Secretariat in collaboration with the East African Law Society.

Directorate of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs
EAC
Arusha, Tanzania

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