East African leaders condemn terrorist acts in the region

East African Leaders have condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Mombasa Kenya and directed their security agencies to develop strategies that will contain the vice in the area and the Great Lakes region in general.

This was contained in a communiqué issued yesterday at the end of the 12th Extra-Ordinary Summit of the Heads of State of the East African Community held at Arusha International Conference Center in Tanzania. 

The Summit was attended by President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya and the host President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania.

President Paul Kagame of Rwanda was represented by his Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Pierre while the President of Burundi was represented by his First Vice President Prosper Bazombaza.

The communiqué among other issues stated that the Government of South Sudan requested the East African Community to postpone the process of its inclusion into the community until September 2014 to allow it time to do more consultations on the matter. 

On issues affecting the community, the East African Heads of state directed the EAC Secretariat to ensure the accelerated implementation of the resolutions agreed on during the previous meetings, especially in areas that concern the political federation. 

The Summit also congratulated the host President, Jakaya Kikwete and the people of Tanzania upon their 50th celebrations anniversary marking the union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar to form one State of Tanzania.

The Summit described the move as an inspiration for East African integration and that of the continent. 

During the Plenary Session, the Summit saw the appointment and swearing-in of the new judges for the Appellate Division of the East African Court of Justice, who included Justice Edward K. Rutakanga from Tanzania and Justice Aaron Ringera from Kenya.

Justice Fahiki A. Jundu, from Tanzania, was sworn-in as the new judge for the First Instance Division of the East African Court of Justice. 

The contract of the Deputy Secretary General of the East African Community Dr. Enos Bukuku was also renewed by the Chairperson of the Summit President Uhuru Kenyatta. 

Other activities performed by the Heads of State at the summit included the historical launch of the Case Management Recording System in the East African Court of Justice and the issuance of the User’s Guide. 

The East African Leaders, and participants at the summit, later joined the people of Rwanda in commemorating the genocide in that country 20 years ago, by unveiling a monument, at the headquarters of EAC, dedicated to the victims and those who lost their dear ones as well as declaring ‘never again to genocide’ in the region. 

Earlier, President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya who is also the Chairperson of the Summit, called on the warring parties in South Sudan to give peace a chance by respecting the agreement reached as well as to resolve their differences amicably. 

He congratulated the people of Somalia for the commendable progress made in bringing law and order to that country.

President Uhuru Kenyatta also thanked the Council of Ministers and the EAC Secretariat for their work in the pursuit of the East African Integration. 

President Yoweri Museveni later left for home and was seen off at Kilimanjaro International Airport by Senior Tanzanian Government Officials.

Others at the Airport to see off the President included the Minister of Trade, Industry and Co-operatives Ms. Amelia Kyambadde and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mr. Asumani Kiyingi.

Also present were, the Deputy Secretary General of EAC Ms. Jessica Eriyo, the Speaker of EALA Mrs. Zziwa Margret, the Woman Member of Parliament for Bududa District Hon. Justine Khainza, the MP Matheniko County in Moroto District Hon. Dr. Lokii John Baptist and the acting Uganda’s High Commissioner to Tanzania.