East African Legislative Assembly

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East African Legislative Assembly

Swahili: Bunge la Afrika Mashariki
History
Founded30 November 2001
Leadership
Speaker
Structure
Seats62 (56 elected members, 8 ex-officio members)
East African Fourth Legislative Assembly Diagram.svg
Political groups
  Jubilee Party: 5 seats
  National Super Alliance: 4 seats
  Rwandan Patriotic Front: 1 seat
  independents: 50 seats
  Vacant: 2 seats
Website
www.eala.org

The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) is a sub-organ of the larger East African Community, being the legislative arm of the Community. Members are sworn into five-year terms.[2]

History[]

Since colonial times, a number of organizations have sought to integrate the region of East Africa.[3] During the Victorian Era, rail links were established, and a number of regional organizations, such as the East African Currency Board and the East African Court of Appeal were established.[3] A new wave of agreements and organizations were launched during the mid-20th century.[3]

The was signed in 1967, launching the East African Community.[3] However, due to political differences and weak participation, the treaty was nullified in 1977, ending the East African Community.[3]

Despite this, interest in further regional cooperation continued.[3] On 14 May 1984, the was signed, which pledged to "explore and identify areas for future co-operation and to make arrangements for such co-operation".[3] On 26 November 1994, representatives from Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania signed the , which established a commission to further cooperation among the three countries.[3] On 29 April 1997, the Tripartite Commission completed its analysis on the prospects of regional cooperation, and the three countries signed an agreement to upgrade the Agreement to a treaty for 2000.[3]

First Assembly (2001-2006)[]

The East African Legislative Assembly was inaugurated on 30 November 2001 as the legislative arm of the newly-revived East African Community.[3] The Assembly met in Arusha, Tanzania, where the Tripartite Commission announced it would upgrade to a treaty.[3] Abdulrahman Kinana, an Elected Member from Tanzania was unanimous elected the Speaker of the First Assembly.[3] The First Assembly met until 2006.[4]

Second Assembly (2007-2012)[]

On 1 July 2007, Burundi and Rwanda joined the East African Community, and, therefore, the East Africa Legislative Assembly.[3] of Kenya served the Speaker of the Second Assembly.[5]

  Chama Cha Mapinduzi: 7 seats
  CNDD-FDD: 4 seats
  KANU: 2 seats
  CNDD: 1 seat
  FORD Kenya: 1 seat
  FORD People's Party: 1 seat
  MRC: 1 seat
  United Democratic Party: 1 seat
  UPRONA: 1 seat
  independents: 23 seats
  Vacant: 3 seats

The elected members of the second EALA (2007–12) break down by political party as follows:[5]

Political party Burundi Kenya Rwanda South Sudan Tanzania Uganda TOTAL
independents or unspecified   5 9 N/A   9 23
Chama Cha Mapinduzi       N/A 7   7
CNDD-FDD 4     N/A     4
KANU   2   N/A     2
CNDD 1     N/A     1
FORD Kenya   1   N/A     1
FORD People's Party   1   N/A     1
MRC 1     N/A     1
United Democratic Party       N/A 1   1
UPRONA 1     N/A     1
vacant? 2     N/A 1   3
Totals 9 9 9 N/A 9 9 45

Third Assembly (2012-2017)[]

Margaret Zziwa of Uganda served as the speaker from 2012 to 2014.[4] She was succeeded by Daniel Kidega, who served from 2014 until the end of the Third Assembly in 2017.[6]

Fourth Assembly (2017-2022)[]

The Fourth Assembly has a total of 62 members, of which each member state submits 9 elected members, and 8 ex-officio members.[7] Its speaker is of Rwanda.[2]

The following table lists the elected members of the Fourth Assembly of the East African Legislative Assembly:

Elected Members of the East African Legislative Assembly[2]
Name Country Political Party
Mnyaa Habib Mohamed Tanzania
Nkuhi Fancy Haji Tanzania
Tanzania
Kimbisa Adam Omar Tanzania
Hasnuu Makame Abullah Tanzania
Lugiko Happyness Elias Tanzania
Maghembe Ngwaru Tanzania
Maasay Pamela Simon Tanzania
Josephine Sebastian Lemoyan Tanzania
Thoar Gatpan Gideon South Sudan
Jago Odok Woda Jeremiah South Sudan
Ann Itto Leonardo South Sudan
Gabriel Garang Aher Arol South Sudan
Kim Gai Ruot Duop South Sudan
Deng Dut Gatkek Thomas South Sudan
Gabriel Alaak Garang Diing South Sudan
Deng Nhial Gai South Sudan
Ayason Mukulia Kennedy South Sudan
Christopher Opoka-Okumu Uganda
Uganda
Fred Mukasa Mbidde Uganda
Odongo George Stephen Uganda
Namara Dennis Uganda
Musamali Paul Mwasa Uganda
Kasamba Mathias Uganda
Rose Akol Okullu Uganda
Mary Mugyenyi Uganda
Flowrence Jematiah Sergon Kenya Jubilee Party
Oburu Odinga Kenya National Super Alliance
Noor Mohamed Adan Kenya Jubilee Party
Wanjiku Muhia Kenya Jubilee Party
Simon Mbugua Nganga Kenya Jubilee Party
Kennedy Musyoka Kalonzo Kenya National Super Alliance
Fatuma Ibrahim Ali Kenya National Super Alliance
Aden Omar Abdikadir Kenya National Super Alliance
Aburi Mpuru Lawrence Kenya Jubilee Party
Pierre-Célestin Rwigema Rwanda
Kalinda Francois Xavier Rwanda
Rwanda Rwandan Patriotic Front
Jean Claude Barimuyabo Rwanda
Alex Bahati Rwanda
Francoise Uwumukiza Rwanda
Francine Rutazana Rwanda
Fatuma Ndangiza Rwanda
Oda Gasinzigwa Rwanda
Léontine Nzeyimana Burundi
Marie Claire Barikukiye Burundi
Sophie Nsavyimana Burundi
Alfred Ahingejeje Burundi
Karerwa Mo-Mamo Burundi
Jean-Marie Muhirwa Burundi
Pierre Claver Rurakamvye Burundi
Victor Burikukiye Burundi
Christopher Nduwayo Burundi

The following table lists the ex-officio members of the Fourth Assembly of the East African Legislative Assembly:

Ex-Officio Members of the East African Legislative Assembly[2]
Name Country Political Party
Burundi
Rwanda
Pierre-Célestin Rwigema Rwanda
Tanzania
Fred Mukasa Mbidde Uganda
Uganda
Vacant
Vacant

Composition[]

Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete addressing the Assembly

As of the Fourth Assembly, the East African Legislative Assembly has 62 members, of which each member state submits 9 elected members, and 8 ex-officio members.[7]

According to Article 50 of the East African Community Treaty, members are elected by their respective country's national legislature.[7] Article 50 also calls upon said members to reflect their country's political parties, opinions, gender composition, and other special groups.[7]

The ex-officio members of the Assembly are to be each member state's minister for regional cooperation, the Secretary General of the East African Community, and the Counsel to the Community.[7]

Functions[]

Article 49 of the East African Community Treaty stipulates that the responsibilities of the East African Legislative Assembly are to "be the legislative organ of the Community", "liaise with the National Assemblies of the Partner States on matters relating to the Community", "debate and approve the budget of the Community", "consider annual reports on the activities of the Community, annual audit reports of the Audit Commission and any other reports referred to it by the Council", "discuss all matters pertaining to the Community and make recommendations to the Council as it may deem necessary for the implementation of the Treaty", "establish any committee or committees for such purposes as it deems necessary", "recommend to the Council the appointment of the Clerk and other officers of the Assembly", and "make its rules of procedure and those of its committees".[8]

Committees[]

As Article 49 of the East African Community Treaty outlines, the East African Legislative Assembly has the right to "establish any committee or committees for such purposes as it deems necessary".[8] As of 2020, the Assembly has the following seven committees:[8]

  • The Commission Committee
  • The Accounts Committee
  • The Committee on Legal, Rules, and Privileges
  • The Committee on Agriculture, Tourism and Natural Resources
  • The Committee on Regional Affairs and Conflict Resolution
  • The Committee on Communication, Trade and Investment
  • The Committee on General Purpose

Activities since inauguration[]

Since its inauguration, EALA has held several sittings as a Plenary in Arusha, Kampala and Nairobi. During these sittings, EALA has:

  • adopted its rules of procedure;
  • elected the Speaker of the Assembly;
  • recommended to the Council of Ministers the appointment of the Officers of the Assembly;
  • approved the budgets for the EAC for the 2002-3 and 2003-4 fiscal years;
  • asked the Council of Ministers 19 questions, which were duly answered;
  • adopted five resolutions;
  • held seminars on a wide range of issues in relation to their mandate; and
  • passed six bills into law.

The Committees have continuously got briefs from the Secretariat and given advice with regard to progress in the implementation of the Treaty.

Impact[]

One 2015 paper suggested that the structure of the East African Community Treaty created the East African Community in a way that the East African Legislative Assembly often butted heads with the , which harmed the efficacy of the Assembly.[9]

References[]

  1. ^ "Rwanda's Ngoga elected EALA speaker". Daily Monitor. Uganda. 19 December 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "4th Assembly 2017- 2022 —East African Legislative Assembly". www.eala.org. East African Community. Archived from the original on 4 December 2020. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i j k l m "History of the East African Legislative Assembly —East African Legislative Assembly". www.eala.org. East African Community. Archived from the original on 4 December 2020. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b "Zziwa, Margaret N —East African Legislative Assembly". www.eala.org. East African Community. Archived from the original on 4 December 2020. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b "2nd Assembly 2007 - 2012 —East African Legislative Assembly". www.eala.org. East African Community. Archived from the original on 4 December 2020. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  6. ^ "Kidega, Daniel F —East African Legislative Assembly". www.eala.org. East African Community. Archived from the original on 4 December 2020. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e "Composition of the Assembly —East African Legislative Assembly". www.eala.org. East African Community. Archived from the original on 4 December 2020. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b c "The East African Legislative Assembly —East African Legislative Assembly". www.eala.org. East African Community. Archived from the original on 4 December 2020. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  9. ^ Gastorn, Kennedy (2015). "The Inevitable Reforms of the Legislative Competencies of the East African Legislative Assembly". Verfassung und Recht in Übersee / Law and Politics in Africa, Asia and Latin America. 48 (1): 28–48. ISSN 0506-7286.
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