EAC ministers discuss political confederation in Kampala

PIC: The EAC Council of Ministers is preparing for the 19th Ordinary EAC Heads of State Summit. (Courtesy photo)

KAMPALA - Ministers responsible for East African Community (EAC) affairs are meeting in Kampala for the 35th Extra-Ordinary Meeting taking place from February 15 to 20 at the Imperial Royale Hotel.

The 35th Extra-Ordinary Meeting of the East African Community council of ministers has been convened to prepare for the 19th Ordinary EAC Heads of State Summit, a press release issued on Tuesday has said.

The meeting will consider, among others, the report of the council to the summit for the period may 2017 - February 2018; report on the implementation of previous decisions of the summit; sustainable financing mechanism for the East African Community; priority areas and activity plan for Republic of South Sudan (RSS)'s integration in EAC.

Other issues to be considered include the status of preparation for the joint retreat of EAC Heads of State on infrastructure, health financing and development - concept note, terms of reference, roadmap and budget estimate for the drafting of the EAC Political Confederation Constitution as well as receiving an update on EPA.

The EAC Council of Ministers is the policy organ of the community and consists of the ministers responsible for the East African Community Affairs of each partner state and such other ministers of the partner states as each partner state may determine.

Among its functions, the council promotes, monitors and keeps under constant review the implementation of the programmes of the Community and ensures the proper functioning of the regional organisation.

Meanwhile, an Extra-Ordinary Finance and Administration Committee meeting kicks off on Wednesday at the Uganda's Ministry of EAC Affairs. The Finance and Administration Committee is the technical arm of the council that advises it on all financial and administrative issues related to the organs and institutions of the community.

The 36th Meeting of the Council of Ministers will held on 19 and 20 at the same hotel and the joint EAC Heads of State Retreat on Infrastructure and Health Financing and Development is slated for February 21 to February 22, 2018.

The 19thOrdinary Summit of the EAC Heads of State under the theme, Enhancing Socio-Economic Development for deeper Integration of the Community, will crown the EAC activities in Kampala on Friday February 23.