H.E President Pierre Nkurunziza today held a meeting with the EALA Speaker, Rt. Hon. Margaret Nantongo Zziwa. The meeting was cordial with the Head of State congratulating the Speaker following her recent ascension to the high office and being the first elected lady Speaker of EALA.
The President also thanked the Partner States for the support they have rendered to Burundi enabling the country to become stable and ensuring Burundians are enjoying peace. “I want to take this opportunity to thank the EAC because joining the Community has been of great importance to Burundi especially in the area of security and there is great improvement in many sectors,” President Nkurunziza said.
He reiterated the need for review of policies and strengthening of the Institutions of EAC to ensure equal benefits in the EAC especially in the area of staffing.
In her remarks, Rt. Hon. Zziwa thanked H.E President Pierre Nkurunziza for the opportunity accorded to EALA to pay him a courtesy call and for supporting both the 2nd and 3rd Assemblies and applauded the government of Burundi for sending a strong and cohesive team of Members to EALA.
Rt. Hon Zziwa also applauded the Republic of Burundi for remaining steadfast towards the objective of integrating the peoples of East Africa and mainly working to improve their well-being through optimising the benefits of EAC Integration. She congratulated the Republic of Burundi for recently attaining 50 years of independence.
The Rt Hon Speaker also requested H.E the President to host the EALA Session scheduled for January 2013 in Burundi and took the opportunity to invite him to address the Assembly during the Sitting.
“We humbly request that due to the importance of the function of official opening of the EAC Headquarters on November 28th 2012 in Arusha; the EALA session which had been scheduled to take place in Bujumbura from November 25th to December 7th 2012 be changed to Arusha for the EALA Members to be able to fully participate. We likewise request that the January 2013 Session be held in Bujumbura”, she said.
Rt. Hon Zziwa also applauded the government of Burundi for the significant contribution to restoring peace in the greater Eastern Africa through its peace mission in Somalia.
She congratulated the Summit of the EAC Heads of State for remaining committed to the ideals of the EAC integration process through the Customs Union, the Common Market and soon, the Monetary Union. The Speaker further congratulated the Summit upon the completion of the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, and thanked them for the magnificent structure which will add to the effectiveness and efficiency of EAC. The meeting further recognised the strategic importance of collaboration amongst the Organs of EAC.
Present at the meeting were: the Minister in charge of EAC Affairs in Burundi, Hon. Nzeyimana Leontine, the Chair EALA, Burundi Chapter, Hon. Jeremie Ngendakumana and Hon. Hafsa Mossi. The courtesy call was part of the series of meetings planned with the Heads of State as the new Speaker lays down her strategy for the Assembly.
-ends-
For more information, contact Bobi Odiko, Senior Public Relations Officer
East African Legislative Assembly, Tel: +255-27-2508240 Fax: +255-27-2503103, Cell: +255787-870945, +254-733-718036.
Email: BOdiko@eachq.org, Web: https://www.eala.org
