THE widespread corruption poses a great challenge towards the achievement of the aims of the recently signed Common Market pact, an official of the East African Community (EAC) has said.
The EAC deputy secretary general in charge of political federation, Beatrice Kiraso, said the Common Market Protocol would increase the socio-economic activities in the region.
She, however, warned that for this to be realised, ethics and integrity had to be observed.
Speaking at the seventh meeting of the heads of anti-corruption, ethics and integrity agencies in the EAC partner states, Kiraso said corruption would hamper the integration as it impedes investments, trade, movement of capital and persons.
The meeting was held in Arusha, Tanzania, on Friday.
President Yoweri Museveni and his counterparts, Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi, Mwai Kibaki of Kenya and Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, recently signed what they termed a landmark agreement for a common market.
The pact, which comes into effect on July 1, 2010, allows free movement of people, goods, labour and capital across the EAC member countries.
“The Common Market Protocol is the backbone of our integration,” Kiraso said.
“It is a requirement, therefore, to establish a regional institutional framework to deal with the challenges of these freedoms and increased economic activity,’’ added Kiraso, according to a press release issued by the EAC directorate of corporate communications and public affairs.
Anti-corruption, ethics and integrity is among the four pillars of the EAC Good Governance Framework, which is the foundation for the East Africa political federation.
Good governance, adherence to the principles of democracy, the rule of law, accountability, transparency, social justice, equal opportunities and gender equality are the other EAC fundamental principles, as stipulated in the Treaty.
The anti-corruption agencies are also pushing for recognition, promotion and protection of human rights in accordance with the provisions of the African Charter on Human Rights.
Kiraso urged EAC member states to intensify the fight against corruption and promotion of good governance.
This, she added, will create an environment that is attractive to foreign and regional investors so as to bolster the benefits of integration.
The meeting also aimed at seeking the endorsement of the protocol by the heads of anti-corruption agencies and integrity centres from the five member states.
The issue, EAC said in the press release, will be discussed at the upcoming conference on good governance.
Rwanda emerged the least corrupt nation in East Africa and the Great Lakes Region, according to a Corruption Perception Index 2009, released by Transparency International recently.
