EALA seeks partnership with ECOWAS in trade, ease of traveling

As Deputy Speaker advises On African Unity

The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), has called for effective partnership with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for enhancement of trade and ease of traveling among member states.

The speaker of EALA, Honorable Joseph Ntakirukimana accompanied by member of Tanzania House of Representatives, Hon Dr Mlozi Shogo, made this known, Thursday, when he visited the Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament, Rt Hon Dr. Sidie Mohamed Tunis, in Abuja during his three-day official visit.

EALA is a Sub-Organ of the larger East African Community, being the legislative arm of the Community with seven-member States including, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo. It has its Headquarters in Arusha, Republic of Tanzania.

Addressing the media, Hon Ntakirutimana, who was elected Speaker of EALA six months ago, noted that his visit to ECOWAS Parliament was to seek ways through which the two Parliaments can learn from each other, fashion out ways for ease of doing business as well as smooth movement of members of the two member countries.

Answering questions on Sudan war and refuge crisis in Kenya, he noted that Parliaments only have power to meditate and advice member countries while the greater power resides on the Executive.

He however, stated that they were following the situation and doing their duty as much as they could towards ensuring peace in the areas.

The Speaker said he was seeking support of ECOWAS in assisting the Speaker of Tanzania National Assembly, Dr. Tulia Ackson, who will be vying for the office of the President of Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) – a global organization of national parliaments, adding that a win for her is a win for Africa.

Hon Ntakirutimana later took a tour of the ECOWAS Commission building in Abuja.

As part of the day’s activities, the Speaker of EALA, accompanied by his ECOWAS Parliament counterpart, paid a courtesy visit on the Deputy Speaker of the Nigeria House of Representatives, Hon Benjamin Kanu.

He used the occasion of the forum to ask the Nigeria National Assembly to support Dr. Tulia Ackson towards clinching the Presidential seat of IPU.

In his response, Hon Kanu, alongside ten members of the House of Representatives, assured Hon Ntakirutimana of their support, stressing that Africans should encourage anything that will unite them rather than building walls of division.

Stressing that Xenophobia should be frowned at, asked East Africans to reciprocate the love and acceptance granted them by West African

In his vote of thanks, Dr. Tunis thanked his EALA counterpart Hon Ntakirutimana for his move towards what he called a “benefiting partnership.”