The East African Community (EAC) is set to resume national consultations on the drafting of the Constitution for the EAC Political Confederation through a stakeholder engagement exercise in Rwanda, according to the EAC Secretariat. ALSO READ: Ruto urges EAC to fast-track constitution on political confederation A statement by the EAC Secretariat indicates that the consultations will be launched in Kigali on Monday, June 15, followed by stakeholder engagements in Rubavu, Huye and Nyagatare, before concluding on June 27. The exercise forms part of the EAC's ongoing efforts to involve citizens and stakeholders in shaping the future governance framework of the Community and advancing the region's political integration agenda. ALSO READ: EAC citizens: Federation could curtail terrorism The exercise will bring together a wide range of stakeholders, including government leaders, parliamentarians, members of the judiciary, civil society organisations, academia, the business community, youth, women, persons with disabilities, religious leaders, media practitioners and political parties to provide views on the proposed Constitution for the EAC Political Confederation. The consultations will be conducted by constitutional experts nominated by EAC partner states and coordinated by the EAC Secretariat in collaboration with the Government of Rwanda. Speaking ahead of the consultations, the EAC Deputy Secretary General responsible for Infrastructure, Productive, Social and Political Sectors, Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth, said the process seeks to ensure that the Constitution reflects the aspirations and expectations of the people of East Africa. The national consultations are designed to create awareness on the Constitution-making process, provide an opportunity for citizens to contribute their views, and ensure that the proposed Constitution is people-centred and owned by the people of East Africa, said Malueth. The EAC is set to hold an engagement with President Paul Kagame, members of Parliament, Judiciary, government ministries and agencies, revenue and monetary authorities, human rights institutions, business associations, civil society organisations, academia, media organisations and representatives of special interest groups. The EAC Secretariat has called upon stakeholders across Rwanda to actively participate in the consultations and contribute their views towards the development of a Constitution that will guide the establishment of the EAC Political Confederation. The national consultations are part of a wider regional process being undertaken across EAC Partner States to gather views from East Africans and build consensus on the governance structures and institutional arrangements of the proposed Political Confederation. The EAC Political Confederation is the transitional stage in the region’s integration process towards the ultimate goal of a Political Federation of East African States. It is the fourth and final pillar of integration, preceded by the Customs Union, the Common Market, and the Monetary Union, in that order. The model was adopted by the Summit of EAC Heads of State in May 2017 as a framework to deepen political integration while preparing Partner States for eventual federation. A Team of Experts, appointed by the Summit in February 2018 and chaired by Justice Benjamin Odoki, retired Chief Justice of Uganda, and deputised by Senator Amos Wako, former Attorney General of Kenya, is guiding the constitution-making process. The Confederation is intended to strengthen coordination among Partner States in key areas including political affairs, peace and security, foreign policy coordination, and regional governance, while laying the groundwork for a future Political Federation.
