EALA PARLIAMENT:Kampala Woman MP. Hon. Shamim Malende is in Arusha Tanzania where the plenary of EALA sits.

 

Hon. Shamim Malende: EALA parliament sessions are chaired by a speaker who has no deputy.This has its own challenges.

EALA speakership is rotational. There are four sessions in a year of two weeks each to consider committee reports. 

EALA committees are only six that is (1) Agriculture,tourism and natural resources (2) Public Accounts committee (3) Communication,trade and investment (4) General purpose which looks at health, population and development, budgeting among others (5) Legal,rules and privilleges (6) Regional affairs and conflict resolution. 

The EALA Attorney General/counsel of the community comes up with memoranda on implementation of committee recommendations and must report to plenary on progress of implementation.

EALA term of office is five years and begins to run when all partner states send the nine EALA representatives. 

EAST AFRICAN COURT OF JUSTICE: Each partner state nominates a judge.There is the 1st instance division currently with six judges and the appellate division currently with five judges. Courts jurisdiction is to entertain matters on interpretation of the treaty or its violation.

 Court has pronounced itself on matters of human rights violations though it's jurisdiction is limited. There are pending protocols that have not been assented to by partner states that give court extended jurisdiction on human rights, trade and investment among others. 

Implementation of court decisions is under national laws. This court sits three times a year but lacks financial autonomy since funds used are drawn from the EAC secretariat. The court has a sub registry in Kampala near supreme court where one can file their case reference and proceedings can be physical or virtual.

EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY: The top organ is the summit comprising of heads of state from partner states that is Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Southern Sudan and DRC in pipeline. Somalia is yet to join. Regional bills made by EALA to become law must be assented to by each head of state.This is a very big challenge coupled with countries that have multiple memberships like those belonging to EALA as well as SADAQ, COMESA excetera.

The confederation constitution is underway to determine questions of EAC leadership, language, currency, trade, security etc....We Interacted with Ugandans here in Arusha, shared challenges and solutions including the issue of our political prisoners way back in Uganda as well as Hon Segirinya and Hon Allan   case.