East Africa Community Speakers call for urgent funding, unity to tackle regional challengesity

In a meeting held under the Bureau of EAC Speakers in Nairobi, leaders from all eight East African nations gathered to discuss solutions to these issues in hopes of propelling the community towards greater integration and development.

Outgoing chairperson of the Bureau, Tulia Ackson, who is also the Speaker of the Tanzanian Parliament, highlighted the EAC Secretariat's need for an annual budget of US$120 million (Ksh.15.5 billion) to effectively run its operations. She noted that the Secretariat is underfunded due to delays in contributions from member states.

“This financial shortfall hampers our ability to implement essential programs and projects that promote peace and security and address the pressing challenges posed by climate change,” Ackson said.

She urged partner states to fulfill their financial obligations, emphasizing that “a financially empowered EAC is crucial for achieving our integration objectives.”

Ackson also stressed the importance of regional collaboration, stating, “By supporting one another, we can establish a foundation of peace and security that enhances our development efforts and ensures sustainable futures for all our communities.”

Incoming Bureau chairperson and Speaker of the Kenya National Assembly, Moses Wetang’ula, also called on member states to honour their financial commitments to the East African Legislative Assembly.

“We must put aside national interests for the greater good of the community,” he said, expressing concern that many states have lagged in their contributions. “As we budget nationally, let us also consider East Africa,” Wetang’ula urged.

Anita Annet Among, Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that countries must make sacrifices to support the EAC's goals. “We know it might be difficult for some states, but we must make sacrifices to achieve the goals of the East African Community,” Among said.

South Sudan's Speaker, Jemma Nunu Kumba, voiced concern over the persistent conflicts in the region that threaten to derail development. “The insecurity in Eastern Congo, parts of Sudan, Ethiopia, and even recent unrest here in Kenya undermine the development we are striving for. If left unaddressed, these conflicts could destabilize the entire region,” she stated.

Kumba noted that the conflict has had a direct impact on South Sudan’s economy, particularly due to damage to the country’s main crude oil pipeline, which transports oil from South Sudan to Port Sudan. Since February, the pipeline has been non-operational, making oil exports impossible.

“This has impacted our economy and has hindered our ability to meet both national and regional obligations, including payments to regional blocs,” Kumba explained.

Other leaders present at the meeting included Joseph Ntakirutimana, Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly; Deng Deng Akon, Speaker of the South Sudan Council of States; Amason Kingi, Speaker of the Kenya Senate; Emmanuel Sinzohagera, President of the Burundi Senate; Sama Lakonde Jean Michael, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of Congo; Gertrude Kazarwa, Speaker of the Rwanda Chamber of Deputies; Francois Xavier Kalinda, Speaker of the Rwanda Senate; Shekh Adam Muhamad Nur “Madoebe,” Speaker of the House of the People of the Tederd Parliament of Somalia; and Abdi Hashi Abdullahi, Speaker of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Somalia.