Quicken implementation of Common Market Protocol - EALA

Six years since the ratification of the common market protocol, the East African Legislative Assembly is concerned that the member states are not moving as faster as they should in the implementation process.

Sitting in Arusha Tanzania, the Regional Assembly is now urging Partner States to "up their game" in sensitization activities in order to raise awareness and showcase benefits to the citizens of the region.

A statement issued by the EAC secretariat indicated that during the debate, the Assembly also wants Partner States to adopt a phased implementation of the protocol by prioritizing aspects that carry quick wins or deliver immediate multiplier effects. 

This was during the debate on the Report of an Oversight activity on the Security related challenges of implementing the Common Market Protocol along the Central Corridor.

 The Report was presented to the House by the Chair of the Regional Affairs and Conflict Resolution Committee, Abdullah Mwinyi after a tour of Tanzania in November 2015 on the existing security related operational challenges of implementing the Common Market Protocol along the Central Corridor.

Ratified in 2010, the EAC Common Market Protocol provides for free movement of workers among other things.

Under the Common Market protocol, the East African Community gave itself an ambitious timeline of up to December 31, 2015 to make implied reforms, which including abolishing work permit fees.

The countries were also expected to fully liberalise their labour and capital markets by December.

Only Rwanda has walked most of the talk. Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda have lately been working under a trilateral pact to grant citizens some of the rights under the Common Market protocol without having to keep up with the slow pace of Tanzania and Burundi.

In the report to the Assembly, the Committee observed noted that the implementation of the Common Market Protocol continued to lag behind due to inadequate awareness and delays by the sectorial Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA's) to amend national laws relevant to the said Protocol.

 " as we discuss the issue of common market protocol, we should also look at security related matters such as Illegal roadblocks, arrests and the ever worrying trend of terrorism gaining entry through the free movement of persons," Uganda representative Bernard Mulengani said.

Valerie Nyirahabineza decried the constant delays by Partner States to amend the national laws to conform to the Common Market Protocol. 

"Article 47 requires Partner States to align their legislation to CMP.  This is vital, she said.  What happens if the laws in the Partner States are not aligned with that of the EAC? Are we going to continue to benefit from the Protocol?" She asked.

"In the case of the Customs Union, we have a legal framework in the name of the Customs Union Management Act. It is a high time we have a coordinating structure to handle this aspect," she added.

Makongoro Nyerere however said the various weighbridges on the central corridor continued to delay the speed of movement of goods.  "They need to be reduced so that we also spur free movement of people from one point to another", he added.

 "Hon Mumbi Ngaru said the Government of Kenya had continued to prioritise sensitization of its citizens on the EAC.  "The Council needs to formulate a policy around sensitization.  This is very key," she noted.