The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) will hold its meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, with both its standing committee and plenary sessions taking place at the Parliament of Rwanda’s premises. Their two-week-long meeting runs from November 23 through December 7.
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The assembly, as the legislative organ of the East African Community (EAC), will be transacting bills (draft laws) aimed at changing the current regional affairs management. Here is an overview of the bills and motions in question.
1. The EAC Creative and Cultural Industries Bill
This bill intends to promote creative and cultural industries in the region. It also intends to establish the Creative and Cultural Industries Development Council. The council will provide a conducive environment for the enhancement and stimulation of creativity and innovative endeavours among the EAC citizenry.
2. The EAC Pharmaceuticals Bill
This bill intends to give further effect to Article 118 of the EAC Treaty which provides for cooperation in health and promoting the management of health delivery systems. The bill was introduced by MP Francine Rutazana from Rwanda.
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3. The EAC Livestock Bill
This bill intends to provide for the transboundary movement of livestock and control of animal diseases within the bloc. Once enacted, it will provide for coordinated identification, characterisation, mapping, and enumeration of livestock.
The bill, which was introduced by MP Woda Jeremia from South Sudan, also seeks to strengthen the detection, prevention, and control of transboundary animal diseases.
At the same time, the bill shall provide for a regulatory framework to monitor pastoral ecosystems.
Motions
The assembly will also consider various motions — proposals put forward for debate or decision in the House — touching on various issues.
They include a motion on use proceedings of the House in the East African Court of Justice seeking interpretation of the powers and functions of the assembly. It was moved by MP Siranda Gerald Blacks from Uganda.
It includes a motion on the management of finances, also by MP Siranda, and a call to the Council of Ministers to implement mechanisms of enforcing the provisions of Articles 143 and 146 of the Treaty for Establishment of the East African Community, by MP Godfrey Maina Mwangi from Kenya.
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Article 143 of the Treaty provides for sanctions against a Partner State that defaults in meeting its financial and other obligations, stipulating that it shall be subject to such action as the summit [of the Heads of State or Government of the EAC Partner States] may on the recommendation of the Council [of EAC Ministers], determine.
Article 146 of the Treaty provides that the summit (of EAC Heads of State) may suspend a Partner State from taking part in the activities of the community if that state fails to observe and fulfil the fundamental principles and objectives of the treaty, including failure to meet financial commitments to the community within a period of 18 months.
It also stipulates that a Partner State suspended, in accordance with treaty provision, shall cease to enjoy the benefits provided for under this treaty but shall continue to be bound by membership obligations until the suspension is lifted.
There is also a motion urging the Council of Ministers and Partner States to ban the export of raw hides and skins and the importation of leather products into the community, by MP David Ole Sankok from Kenya.
Finally, the legislators will also consider a motion urging the EAC Partner States to invest in water and sanitation services by MP Woda Jeremiah (from South Sudan), and one recommending that the Council of Ministers facilitates and supports mothers of new-born and infant children in the service of the community, by MP Iman Falhada Deko from Kenya.