Burundi wants its legistators to quit EALA

By Joyce Namutebi

THE Speaker of Burundi National Assembly, Pascal Nyabenda has written to the Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly, Daniel Kidega, ceasing membership of four members from the country, a senior official of the assembly has said.

EALA members are, however, not taking the matter lightly, it has been revealed.

The four members are Jeremie Ngendakumana, Frederic Ngenzebuhoro, Yves Nsabimana and Dr. Martin Nduwimana.

According to a press release issued by Senior Public Relations Officer, Bobi Odiko the letter written to Kidega earlier this month, states that the conditions through which the four Members presented themselves for elections had now changed.

“It says in part that the party on whose strength two members were elected to EALA was no longer represented in the Burundi National Assembly. Two other members had on their part ceased to be members of their parties having duly resigned,” the statement issued Thursday said.

Each EAC member country sends nine representatives to the regional assembly.

The statement said EALA member, AbuBakr Ogle (Kenya) on Wednesday moved a motion for a resolution advising the assembly to urge partner states not to introduce attempts to manipulate institutions, threaten members or undermine their status, terming such a move unlawful and an affront to the principles under the EAC Treaty.

“The resolution condemns in the strongest term possible all attempts to undermine the authority of the assembly and claims to the privileges and status of its members.”

The resolution was, however, not debated, according to the release as Speaker Kidega, made a ruling deferring the matter to the Committee on Legal Rules and Privileges for immediate scrutiny and report back to the House as soon as possible. The assembly is sitting in Kigali, Rwanda. 

Responding to the letter, Speaker Kidega noted that the request was not tenable owing to the fact that it had contravened section 51 of the EAC Treaty among other provisions.

“Hitherto, the Counsel to the Community offered legal opinion on the matter after acquaintance with the Constitution of the Republic of Burundi and the Electoral laws in the country,” it added.

Justifying the motion ABuBakr Ogle said that the letter written by Burundi speaker was tantamount to a raid on the independence and privileges of the House. The resolution further appeals to the Organs and Institutions of the Community to guarantee safety and security of all Members of EALA and staff as well as those of other Institutions of the Community.

The motion was moved under Rule 30 (j) of the Rules of Procedure which allows for a motion raising a question of privilege to be asked without notice.

Seconding the resolution Dr. James Ndahiro (Rwanda) noted that matters of privileges of members touch on the integrity and independence of the assembly and that any threats bring with it a potential to undermine the authority of the assembly and compromises its functioning under the EAC Treaty, the release said.

At the commencement of the 3rd Meeting of the 4th Session of the 3rd Assembly early this week, Kidega remarked that the assembly was concerned about what is happening in Burundi.

“Many lives have been lost, others maimed, peace disrupted, property damaged and the economy destabilized following the rapid escalation of violence and the instability over the last few months. The situation is worrying and could be dire and grave,” Kidega said.