Rwanda consults on EAC federation

Mar 04, 2008

Rwanda has launched nationwide consultations on the formation of the East African political federation and its fast-tracking.

By Vision Reporter

Rwanda has launched nationwide consultations on the formation of the East African political federation and its fast-tracking.

Speaking during the event on Monday, Rwandese president Paul Kagame said there was need for the East African Community (EAC) member states to embrace the political federation if they were to develop.

The function was held at the parliamentary building in Kimihurura.
The consultation process was concluded last year in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Citizens of these countries supported the federation, although Tanzanians rejected its fast-tracking.

Last year, Rwanda and Burundi joined the regional bloc. This increased the regional market to almost 200 million people.

Kagame said Rwanda joined the bloc to enhance her development.
According to The New Times, a Rwandan daily, Kagame said: “The federation will be the main pillar of what we are striving for -development.”

He urged the Rwandans to participate in the exercise and give their views on how the federation should be formed.

A 12-member taskforce, with representatives from various sectors will gather the locals’ views on the federation.

The deputy secretary general of the EAC in charge of political federation, Beatrice Kiraso, emphasised the need for the federation if regional countries were to compete favourably in the global economy.

“We are excited that Rwanda has launched the consultation. We need the federation because problems faced by African countries cannot be solved unilaterally,” Kiraso said.

“Our aim is to go beyond the economic unity to a political federal government.”

She said the EAC unity would be achieved through a four-phase approach notably, a customs union, common market, single monetary unit and eventually a federal state.

Kiraso gave Kagame the EAC flag and a manual to guide the consultation process.

The Rwandan team is lead by Dr. Anastase Shyaka. The consultations will revolve around two main issues, whether Rwandans support the formation of an East African political federation and want the federation to be fast-tracked.

Rwanda will this week nominate its representatives at the EAC secretariat in Arusha, Tanzania.

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