Ministers’ in-Charge of the East Africa Community from the eight partner States will tomorrow gather in Arusha, Tanzania for the 46th Council of Ministers meeting, to deliberate on the progress of the EAC integration process.
The Assembly was preceded by consultations among senior officials, including Principal Secretaries that tackled a multiplicity of issues and made recommendations to the Council of Ministers for approval, ahead of the 24th Ordinary Heads of State Summit on Saturday, November 30th 2024.
East Africa Community (EAC), ASALs and Regional Development Cabinet Secretary (CS) Beatrice Askul is leading Kenya’s delegation to the meeting accompanied by Principal Secretary (PS) Abdi Dubat, among other senior Government officials.
Key issues in the deliberations agenda include implementation of the Single Customs Territory (SCT), tariff structures, enhancing trade policies and private sector engagement in a bid to enhance trade, revenue collection, reduce turnaround time from 21 days to 4 days along the EAC corridors, and greater private sector participation in regional trade.
Other issues on the Customs Union include resolution of Non-Tariff Barriers to trade (NTBs), the expansion and operationalization of One-Stop Border Posts (OSBPs) among others.
The Council will also discuss the tracking of reforms in the implementation of the EAC Common Market Protocol, which entail monitoring partner states’ progress in aligning national laws with the freedoms and rights under the Common Market Protocol.
Other issues under the common market banner will include the implementation of the promotion of EAC Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), harmonization of regional quality standards for goods and the harmonization of laws, protection of migrant workers’ rights, and enhancement of the benefits of organized labour migration in the community.
The Council of Ministers, chaired by South Sudan’s Minister of East African Community Affairs Mr. Deng Alor Kuol, will also discuss and propose recommendations towards enhancing industrialization to reduce the region’s reliance on imports and position the EAC as a key player in implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Other issues include strengthening the region’s agricultural value chains for key crops, addressing climate challenges through climate-smart agriculture, promoting tourism and wildlife conservation.
The Council will also deliberate on the expansion of roads networks as well as resolve challenges related to road user charges among partner states, expansion of railway transport networks and air transport as well as developments in communications, energy, and the health sector among others.
On the Monetary Union, the Council will deliberate on tax harmonization in a bid to promote cross-border investment and prevent tax evasion, removing tax distortions and promoting efficient allocation of resources within the community among other issues.
Enhancement of democracy and good governance, peaceful elections in Member States and the making of the EAC Political Confederation Constitution and regional peace and stability will also be tackled.
The Council will also receive, review and make recommendations on the reports of the Community’s Organs and Institutions, such as the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), the East African Court of Justice (EACJ), among others and address pertinent challenges affecting the EAC which will celebrate 25 years of existence this week on Saturday, November, 30 2024 in Arusha.
By Ian Chepkuto and Munyasya Musya