EAST AFRICA COMMUNITY RIPE FOR REFORMS TO SERVE EFFECTIVELY – PRESIDENT SAMIA

Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu says the East Africa Community should adjust to current situation to serve citizens in the region effectively. PHOTO | FILE | NMG

By Luke Anami

President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s 100 days in office have been clear on her style of governance — more open than her predecessor John Magufuli both at home and in the region. Tanzania has for a while now been considered lukewarm towards reforms pushed by the partner states and President Samia’s openness is a departure from her predecessor’s approach.

President Samia has suggested a review of the East African Community Treaty to reflect the current regional situation. The president made the suggestion during a recent meeting with EAC Secretary General Dr Peter Mathuki who had paid her courtesy call at Ikulu, in Dar es Salaam. While referring to th“e EAC’s institutional framework, President Samia stressed the need for a comprehensive review of the Treaty and other legal instruments.

« The Treaty establishing the EAC was signed 20 years ago when we were only three members. We have now grown to six and hopefully we shall continue growing, » said President Samia. « We therefore need to not only review the Treaty, but other instruments as well, to align them with what we have already done, and what we aspire to do. »

While paying tribute to the regional bloc, she cited EAC Partner states contributions as one of issues to be considered for review.

« As a Community, the Partner States are all at different levels of development, and our ability to meet our statutory obligations to the EAC vary, we therefore need to look into how this can be addressed so all members are able to meet their obligations, » she said.

Tanzania has paid the full amount of its EAC remittances for the financial year 2020/21.