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EAC set to discuss free movement of people
2006-03-13 07:42:40
By Adam Ihucha, Arusha
Negotions on the East African Community protocol on the free movement of persons, labour, services, right of establishment and residence will commence soon, sources said over the weekend.
The move was unanimously blessed by members of an EAC high-level taskforce on the negotiations of a similar draft protocol in their first meeting that took place at Arusha International Conference Centre at the weekend.
Currently, the official commencement of negotiations awaiting the greenlight from EAC Council of Ministers, EAC Public Relations and Information Officer, Owora Richard Othieno, said in a press release.
’’The delegates have unanimously agreed to commence the negotiations on the protocol,’’ Owora said yesterday.
He added: ’’At the same time, the taskforce recommended that a decision by EAC Council of Ministers be taken to commence negotiations on a Common Market protocol to avoid duplication of efforts and resources involved in negotiating two separate protocols.’’
EAC Council of Ministers has also been requested to establish a multi-sectoral co-ordination committee to guide the negotiations on free movement of people.
The taskforce wants negotiations on the protocol to be completed within two years and its membership be expanded to include partner states’ ministries of lands, local government, trade and other sectors relevant to the issues to be negotiated.
Owora said further that the recommendations of the taskforce are to be presented to EAC Council of Ministers for deliberation.
Presiding over the meeting, EAC Deputy Secretary General, Finance and Administration, Ahamada Ngemera said that the commencement of EAC Customs Union in January 2005 had given way to free movement of goods in the region.
Ngemera said that the next stage of the EAC integration would be the establishment of a Common Market and therefore:
’’Free movement of people, labour, services and the right of establishment and residence is an important aspect of the common market’’.
Thus, the work of the high-level taskforce was quite critical and therefore called on the delegates to deliberate the agenda items with an open mind and in the spirit of East African Co-operation.
He emphasised that this would ensure that the work of the taskforce compliments efforts towards laying a strong foundation for the EAC common market and the successful implementation of the Customs Union.
’’The Customs Union protocol took us four years to negotiate, it was a pioneer project for us and it was a learning stage and a confidence building exercise,’’ Ngemera said.
He added: ’’Let us then aim for greater efficiency this time and use a shorter timeframe to negotiate this protocol.’’
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