Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania, May 24, 2025– The 19th Meeting of the Bureau of Speakers of the East African Community (EAC) successfully concluded today in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The meeting, which was preceded by the meeting of the Clerks, brought together Speakers and Deputy Speakers from the EAC Partner States, and the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA). The deliberations centered on continued strengthening collaboration among EAC Partner States Parliaments and EALA, addressing challenges facing the EAC integration process, and charting a way forward to enhance the role of partner states parliaments in advancing the EAC agenda.
This year’s Speakers’ Bureau was hosted by the United Republic of Tanzania, and attended by the Republic of Kenya, the Republic of Rwanda, the Federal Republic of Somalia, and the Republic of South Sudan. The parliaments of Uganda and Burundi sent their messages of solidarity. The Democratic Republic of Congo did not attend, although they were invited.
The meeting featured insightful remarks from various Rt. Honourable Speakers of EAC National parliaments. The host, Rt. Hon. Dr. Tulia Ackson, Speaker of the National Assembly of the United Republic of Tanzania, and Rt. Hon. Joseph Ntakirutimana, Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) underscored the critical role of the Bureau of Speakers in advancing the EAC integration agenda.
In her remarks, The Rt. Hon. Dr. Tulia Ackson emphasized the importance of unity and solidarity in advancing the EAC integration agenda. She highlighted the need for EAC Partner States to embrace digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI) as core pillars of the region’s development strategy. Dr. Ackson noted that the EAC should initiate a regional digital transformation roadmap, with AI at its core, to address uniquely East African challenges in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and climate change. She also showcased Tanzania’s strides in AIdriven solutions, particularly the University of Dar es Salaam’s work in water management and climate modeling.
Dr. Ackson further reiterated Tanzania’s unwavering commitment to the EAC integration process, emphasizing the importance of unity, mutual respect, and shared prosperity as the foundation of the Community. She highlighted Tanzania’s active participation in EALA affairs, including legislative support for regional projects such as the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) and the Central Railway Line, which aim to enhance regional connectivity and trade.
The Speaker of EALA, Rt. Hon. Joseph Ntakirutimana commended the progress made by the EAC in advancing its integration agenda but called for renewed commitment to address persistent challenges. He emphasized the critical role of EALA as a model for regional integration, highlighting its success in enacting legislation that supports the EAC’s Customs Union, Common Market, and infrastructure development. However, he noted that financial constraints remain a significant challenge, with some Partner States lagging in their contributions, forcing EALA to rationalize its budget and prioritize essential activities.
On his part, Hon. David Ochieng, MP, second Chairperson of the Committee of the Speakers Panel representing the Speaker of the Kenya National Assembly, The Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Moses Francis Masika Wetang’ula reiterated that the ‘Centrality of the Bureau in bolstering regional unity, cooperation and shared prosperity of our region as embodied in the east African community statues and protocols, is paramount to the people of the region’. He urged member Partner States to come together and reaffirm collective commitment to the ideals of the East African Community. Hon. Ochieng informed the Speakers of the up coming National prayer Breakfast that is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 28th May, 2025. He therefore extended a humble invitation to the event and requested the Right Honourable Speakers to adjust their itineraries in order to attend the event.
Meanwhile, Rt. Hon. Amason Jeffah Kingi, EGH, Speaker of the Senate, Republic of Kenya urged the EAC parliaments to collaboration more in order to navigate the emerging geopolitical realignments and to tackle the adverse effects of climate change through methods that drive climate resilience, and embrace green energy adoption.
The Speaker of the Revitalized Transitional Legislative Assembly of the Republic of South Sudan, Rt.Hon. Nunu Jemma Kumba urged the members ‘not to faulter in the mission of uplifting the East African citizens, and to protect peace to fuel progress and to honour the trust that our people have placed in us’.
In her remarks, Amb. Jeanine Kambanda of the Rwanda’s Chamber of Deputies, stressed the importance of maintaining regular interactions in order to exchange on best practices and to learn from one another and synchronize efforts to overcome legislative and oversight missions.
The newest member of the East African Community, was represented by the Rt. Hon. H.E. Abdullahi Omar Abshirrow, Second Deputy Speaker, House of the People, Federal Parliament of Somalia. He assured the community of Somalia’s continued path of state-building and institutional reforms and reaffirmed Somalia’s ‘strong commitment to the East African Community and its core ideals’. He also underscored Somalia’s dedication to enacting inclusive legislation, enhancing transparency, and empowering democratic institutions. He also informed the Bureau that Somalia is actively preparing for the elections of its nine (9) representatives to EALA despite logistical challenges that continue to cause delays. The Federal Republic of Somalia has so far approved A contribution of USD8 Million towards EAC budget FY2024/2025, with nearly half of that already disbursed, signaling Somalia’s full commitment and readiness to be a constructive Partner in the Community.
The 19th Meeting of the Bureau of Speakers concluded with a renewed commitment to advancing the EAC integration agenda. Speakers and participants expressed their gratitude to the Government and people of the United Republic of Tanzania for their warm hospitality and support during the meeting.
The Bureau also touched on the issue of the Inter-Parliamentary Games (IPG) which are held every year, on rotational basis, in one of the EAC Partner States and resolved that this year’s tournament, which will mark the 15th IPG, will be held in Bujumbura, Burundi. The Speakers also met as the Board of Trustees of The East African Parliamentary Institute (EAPI) on the sidelines of the Bureau Meeting and resolved that the EAPI should be hosted where EALA is domiciled to ensure close coordination of EAPI affairs. They also resolved that EAPI should be facilitated with the critical staff to start rolling out its activities.
The next meeting of the Bureau of Speakers will take place in November, 2025 in Bujumbura, Burundi, where further progress on the EAC integration agenda will be reviewed and discussed. The host Parliament of the Federal Republic of Tanzania organized a dinner for the Bureau members later in the evening.
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For further information, please contact:
Nicodemus Ajak Bior
Senior Public Relations Officer (SPRO)
East Africa Legislative Assembly
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255-768-885-633/, +254729157207(WhatsApp)
Email: nbior@eachq.org
Web: www.eala.org
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