An Empowered and Effective East African Legislative Assembly - EALA Capacity Development Programme

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Background

The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) is the legislative organ of the East African Community (EAC). Established in November 2001, EALA began with three member states (which included 9 elected members from each). It then grew to five member states (first Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, then Burundi and Rwanda) with 45 elected members, plus seven ex-officio members (the Ministers responsible for EAC affairs from the Partner States, the Secretary General of the Community and the Counsel to the Community). The Second Assembly was inaugurated on 5 June 2007 and aims to consolidate the achievements of the First EALA and maintain a regional presence and engagement on legislative and development concerns in East Africa in order to fulfil their mandate in the EAC integration agenda as specified under the EAC Treaty. For more information, please visit the EALA website.

 

Objective

Linking with the EALA’s vision of a prosperous, competitive, secure and politically united East Africa, the programme’s overall objective is to contribute to strengthening democracies in East Africa in order to reduce poverty and uphold the human rights of the citizens of the EAC. Since EALA’s inauguration in 2001, AWEPA has been a major partner in supporting the parliament’s development towards a modern, critical and effective regional parliamentary body. AWEPA aims to strengthen the capacity of EALA to effectively and efficiently carry out its functions of representation, law-making and oversight in all matters related to enhancing the integration of Partner States into the EAC, and to furthering democratisation in the region.

 

Results

  • EALA Members and staff increased their professional capacities through enhancing their knowledge and skills. Staff undertook professional studies, whilst members engaged in short advanced management workshops.
  • EALA engaged in consultations with citizens and civil society organisations.   
  • Through workshops, EALA Committees increased their capacity to carry out oversight of both the EAC and the Partner States. For example, the Accounts Committee engaged in on-site assessment visits to EAC projects in Uganda.
  • EALA improved its administrative capabilities through systematic documentation.
  • Networking events and exchanges enhanced the capacity of EALA Members and staff to exchange information and policy ideas with their counterparts in the National Assemblies of partner states, other regional parliamentary assemblies and international partners.
 

Example Activity

Inter- Parliamentary Relations Seminar, 27-31 January 2010, Bujumbura, Burundi

The EALA organised the 5th Inter-Parliamentary relations Seminar (Nanyuki V) with the theme: “EAC Common Market – Prospects, Challenges and Opportunities” which took place at the House of the Burundi National Assembly, Bujumbura, Burundi from 27 to 31 January 2010.The main objectives of the seminar were to strengthen the functional relationship between EALA and National Assemblies and to discuss the provisions of the EAC Common Market Protocol, including prospects, opportunities, challenges and follow-up. The Seminar was officially opened by the President of the Republic of Burundi, His Excellency Pierre Nkurunziza. It was attended by 135 participants from EALA, Members and staff of relevant Committees from National Assemblies of Partner States, invited participants from the EAC Secretariat, consultants, as well as invited guests from other institutions.

  

Donors

  Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) - Nairobi

  Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs via The Norwegian Embassy in Tanzania

  Irish Aid

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