Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda will establish common currency

The presidents of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda met Saturday in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, to sign a protocol for the creation of a monetary union to be established in 10 years. This will be a major change and breakthrough for international trade and tourism alike.

The EAC began 13 years ago with the goal of creating a common customs union, market, monetary union and a political federation of East African states.

Progress has been slowed, however, due to concerns of the member countries about the impact of the bloc’s decisions on their individual economies.

The five countries in the East African Community regional economic bloc agreed on the following:

5TH ORDINARY SUMMIT OF HEADS OF STATE OF THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY
COMMUNIQUÉ

1.THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY HEADS OF STATE, THEIR EXCELLENCIES PRESIDENT UHURU KENYATTA OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA, PRESIDENT JAKAYA MRISHO KIKWETE OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA, PRESIDENT YOWERI KAGUTA MUSEVENI OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA, PRESIDENT PIERRE NKURUNZIZA OF THE REPUBLIC OF BURUNDI AND PRESIDENT PAUL KAGAME OF THE REPUBLIC OF RWANDA HELD THE 15TH ORDINARY SUMMIT OF THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY HEADS OF STATE AT THE SPEKE RESORT AND CONFERENCE CENTRE IN KAMPALA, UGANDA ON 30TH NOVEMBER 2013. THE HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT MET IN A WARM AND CORDIAL ATMOSPHERE.
2. THEBUREAUOFTHESUMMITWASCHANGEDWHEREBYTHEREPUBLIC OF KENYA TOOK OVER FROM THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA AS
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CHAIRPERSON AND THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA TOOK OVER FROM THE REPUBLIC OF BURUNDI AS THE RAPPORTEUR. THE INCOMING CHAIRPERSON EXPRESSED HIS GRATITUDE TO THE OUTGOING CHAIRPERSON FOR HIS STEWARDSHIP OF THE INTEGRATION PROCESS DURING THE LAST ONE YEAR.
3. THE SUMMIT EXPRESSED ITS SOLIDARITY WITH THE PEOPLE OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA FOLLOWING THE BARBARIC ATTACK BY THE AL- SHABAAB TERRORISTS ON WESTGATE MALL, NAIROBI AS A RESULT OF WHICH PEOPLE LOST THEIR LIVES AND PROPERTY DESTROYED, AND BUSINESS DISRUPTED. THE SUMMIT REITERATED ITS COMMITMENT TO THE COLLECTIVE SAFEGUARD OF THE PEACE AND SECURITY FOR THE PEOPLE OF EAST AFRICA. THE SUMMIT ALSO EXPRESSED ITS SYMP ATHY WITH THE PEOPLE OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENY A FOLLOWING THE DISASTROUS FIRE AT THE JOMO KENYATTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AND DIRECTED TO ESTABLISH RELIABLE MECHANISMS FOR DISASTER RESPONSE AND RISK MANAGEMENT FOR THE EAC REGION.
4. THE SUMMIT RECEIVED THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS COVERING THE PERIOD NOVEMBER 2012 – NOVEMBER 2013 AND NOTED THE STEADY PROGRESS MADE IN THE COMMUNITY IN PARTICULAR ON PROGRESS ON REMOVAL OF NON-TARIFF BARRIERS. THE SUMMIT COMMENDED THE COUNCIL FOR THE PROGRESS MADE IN DIFFERENT PROGRAMMES OF THE COMMUNITY.
5. THESUMMITCONSIDEREDAMECHANISMFORTHEIMPLEMENTATIONOF OUTSTANDING SUMMIT DECISIONS AND:-
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a) DIRECTED THE SECRETARY GENERAL IN CONSULTATION WITH THE RELEVANT HEADS OF STATE TO REPORT REGULARLY ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF DECISIONS INCLUDING NON-COMPLIANCE AND DECIDED THAT THE STATUS OF IMPLEMENTATION REMAINS A STANDING ITEM ON THE AGENDA OF THE SUMMIT.
b)UNDERTOOK TO REPORT ON INDIVIDUAL PARTNER STATES’ IMPLEMENTATION OF DECISIONS INVOLVING THEIR RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES AT EVERY ORDINARY SUMMIT
c) DIRECTED THE SECRETARIAT TO PREPARE A COMPREHENSIVE LIST ON NON IMPLEMENTATION OF ALL DECISIONS FOR CONSIDERATION AT THE 12TH EXTRAORDINARY SUMMIT IN APRIL 2014.
d)DIRECTED THE COUNCIL TO PRESENT A REPORT ON ALTERNATIVE FINANCING MECHANISM INCLUDING THE OPTION OF 1% OF IMPORTS FROM OUTSIDE THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY IN PRINCIPLE OF FINANCIAL SOLIDARITY AND EQUITY AND REPORT TO THE SUMMIT AT ITS 12TH EXTRA-ORDINARY MEETING IN APRIL 2014.
e) DIRECTED THE COUNCIL TO SUBMIT PROGRESS REPORTS IN IMPLEMENTATION OF MAJOR DECISIONS AND DIRECTIVES OF THE COUNCIL AND THE SUMMIT EVERY SIX MONTHS.
6. THE SUMMIT DIRECTED THE COUNCIL TO CONCLUDE THE EAC INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW AND REPORT TO THE SUMMIT AT THE 12TH EXTRA-ORDINARY MEETING IN APRIL 2014; AND
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7. THE SUMMIT APPOINTED DR. EMMANUEL UGIRASHEBUJA FROM THE REPUBLIC OF RWANDA JUDGE OF THE EAST AFRICAN COURT OF JUSTICE (APPELLATE DIVISION) TO REPLACE HON. LADY JUSTICE EMILY RUSERA KAYITESI WHO RESIGNED. THIS APPOINTMENT TAKES EFFECT FROM 1ST DECEMBER 2013.
8. THE SUMMIT APPOINTED HON. LADY JUSTICE MONICA MUGENYI FROM THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA JUDGE OF THE EAST AFRICAN COURT OF JUSTICE (FIRST INSTANCE DIVISION) TO REPLACE HON.LADY JUSTICE MARY STELLA ARACH AMOKO, DEPUTY PRINCIPAL JUDGE WHO IS RETIRING. THIS APPOINTMENT TAKES EFFECT FROM 1ST DECEMBER 2013.
9. THE SUMMIT DESIGNATED HON. MR. JUSTICE ISAAC LENAOLA AS DEPUTY PRINCIPAL JUDGE TO REPLACE HON. LADY JUSTICE MARY STELLA ARACH AMOKO. THIS DESIGNATION TAKES EFFECT FROM 1ST DECEMBER 2013.
10.THE SUMMIT RECEIVED THE REPORT ON THE ATTAINMENT OF THE SINGLE CUSTOMS TERRITORY. THE SUMMIT NOTED THAT THE FRAMEWORK FOR THE OPERATIONALISATION OF THE SINGLE CUSTOMS TERRITORY HAD BEEN FINALISED AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL. THE SUMMIT DIRECTED THAT THE SINGLE CUSTOMS TERRITORY COMMENCES ON 1ST JANUARY 2014 AND THAT ALL OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS BE FINALISED BY JUNE 2014.
11.THE SUMMIT RECEIVED THE PROGRESS REPORT ON THE NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE ADMISSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH
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SUDAN INTO THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY. THE SUMMIT OBSERVED THAT THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS HAD ESTABLISHED A HIGH LEVEL NEGOTIATION TEAM TO CONDUCT THE NEGOTIATIONS AND ENABLE THE SUMMIT MAKE A DECISION ON THE MATTER AT THE 12TH EXTRA- ORDINARY SUMMIT IN APRIL 2014.
12.THE SUMMIT RECEIVED THE PROGRESS REPORT ON THE VERIFICATION OF THE APPLICATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOMALIA TO JOIN THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY. THE SUMMIT NOTED THAT THE TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE VERIFICATION PROCESS HAD BEEN DEVELOPED AND A VERIFICATION COMMITTEE PUT IN PLACE. THE SUMMIT DIRECTED THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS TO SUBMIT PROGRESS REPORT ON THE VERIFICATION EXERCISE AT THE 16TH ORDINARY SUMMIT IN NOVEMBER 2014.
13.THE SUMMIT RECEIVED THE PROGRESS REPORT ON THE ROADMAP FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE EAST AFRICAN FEDERATION. THE SUMMIT NOTED THAT THE REVISED MODEL STRUCTURE, ROAD MAP AND ACTION PLAN WILL BE CONSIDERED BY THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS AND SUBMITTED TO THE 12TH EXTRA-ORDINARY SUMMIT MEETING IN APRIL 2014.
14.THE SUMMIT APPROVED AND SIGNED THE PROTOCOL ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE EAST AFRICAN MONETARY UNION AND DIRECTED THAT:
a) ALL PARTNER STATES SHOULD CONCLUDE THE RATIFICATION PROCESS OF THE EAMU PROTOCOL BY JULY, 2014;
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b) THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS SHOULD IMPLEMENT THE ROADMAP TO SINGLE CURRENCY AS INDICATED IN THE SCHEDULE ON THE EAMU PROTOCOL;
c) THE FOLLOWING INSTITUTIONS NECESSARY FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EAMU BE ESTABLISHED:-
i) THE EAST AFRICAN MONETARY INSTITUTE
ii) THE EAST AFRICAN STATISTICS BUREAU TO BE RESPONSIBLE
FOR STATISTICS
iii) THE EAST AFRICAN SURVEILLANCE, COMPLIANCE AND
ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR
SURVEILLANCE, COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT; AND
iv) THE EAST AFRICAN FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMISSION TO BE
RESPONSIBLE FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES.
d) THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS DEVELOPS THE BILLS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE INSTITUTIONS PROVIDED IN THE PROTOCOL FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE EAST AFRICAN LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY AS PROVIDED FOR IN THE ROAD MAP;
e) THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS APPRISES THE SUMMIT ON THE PROGRESS MADE ON IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ROADMAP TO SINGLE CURRENCY AT EVERY ORDINARY SUMMIT.
15.THE SUMMIT NOTED THAT THE SECTORAL COUNCIL ON FINANCE AND ECONOMIC AFFAIRS WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MONETARY UNION PROTOCOL.
16.THE SUMMIT APPROVED THE COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION TO EXTEND THE JURISDICTION OF THE EAST AFRICAN COURT OF JUSTICE TO
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COVER TRADE AND INVESTMENT AS WELL AS MATTERS ASSOCIATED WITH THE EAST AFRICAN MONETARY UNION. ON HUMAN RIGHTS MATTERS AS WELL AS CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY, THE SUMMIT DIRECTED THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS TO WORK WITH THE AFRICAN UNION ON THIS MATTER.
17.THE SUMMIT DIRECTED THAT THE INTERNATIONALIZED NEW GENERATION EAST AFRICAN PASSPORT BE LAUNCHED BY NOVEMBER 2015.
18.THE SUMMIT DISCUSSED THE PREVAILING SECURITY SITUATION AND THE NEED FOR CONCERTED EFFORTS TOWARDS COMBATING TERRORISM AND NEGATIVE FORCES IN THE REGION AND REAFFIRMED ITS COMMITMENT TO THE PEACE AND SECURITY IN THE REGION.
19.THE SUMMIT NOTED WITH CONCERN THE RECENT POLITICAL AND SECURITY DEVELOPMENTS IN SOMALIA AND URGED ALL PARTIES TO EMBRACE DIALOGUE AND CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT CONDUCIVE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SOMALIA’S VISION 2016 AND FACILITATE THE ELECTIONS BY 2016.
20.THE SUMMIT TOOK NOTE OF THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 2124 ADOPTED ON 12TH NOVEMBER 2013 REGARDING ENHANCING THE MILITARY CAPACITY OF THE AMISOM AND THE SOMALI NATIONAL FORCES AND CALLED FOR THE REVIEW OF THE RESOURCE PACKAGE TO ASCERTAIN ITS ADEQUACY TO FACILITATE CONTINUITY AND STRENGTHENING OF THE MILITARY CAMPAIGN AGAINST AL-SHABAAB.
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21.THE SUMMIT REITERATED ITS CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA AND CALLED UPON REGIONAL BODIES AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO COME FORWARD AND SUPPORT ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND POLITICAL INTERVENTIONS GEARED TOWARDS ENHANCING THE CAPACITY OF THE SOMALI GOVERNMENT AND ITS GOVERNANCE INSTITUTIONS TO FULFIL ITS MANDATE AND MEET THE EXPECTATIONS OF ITS CITIZENS.
22. THE SUMMIT REAFFIRMED THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE EFFORT OF THE ICGLR/SADC MEMBER STATES AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY ON THE ONGOING PEACE INITIATIVES AIMED AT STABILIZING EASTERN DRC, AND IN THAT REGARD, ENCOURAGED THE EAC PARTNER STATES TO SUPPORT THE ONGOING POLITICAL PROCESS (KAMPALA DIALOGUE), WHICH SHOULD BE CONCLUDED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
23.THE SUMMIT NOTED THE JUSTIFIABLE CAUSE FOR THE NEED TO HARMONISE THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE FOR THE ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE EAST AFRICAN LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY WITH THOSE OF ALMOST EQUAL STATUS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. THE SUMMIT APPROVED A LUMPSUM INCREMENT OF USD 1,206 PER MEMBER WITH EFFECT FROM 1ST JULY 2014.
24.THE SUMMIT COMMENDED THE INITIATIVE BY THE MEDIA IN THE REGION TO FORM A BODY THAT WILL REPRESENT THEIR INTEREST AND PLAY A MORE ROBUST ROLE IN PROPAGATING THE INTEGRATION ISSUES.
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25.THE SUMMIT DIRECTED THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS TO STUDY THE MODALITIES OF INCLUDING FRENCH AS A LANGUAGE OF THE COMMUNITY IN ADDITION TO ENGLISH AND KISWAHILI.
26.THEIR EXCELLENCIES, PRESIDENT PAUL KAGAME OF THE REPUBLIC OF RWANDA, PRESIDENT, UHURU KENYATTA OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA, PRESIDENT JAKAYA MRISHO KIKWETE OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA, AND PRESIDENT PIERRE NKURUNZIZA OF THE REPUBLIC OF BURUNDI THANKED THEIR HOST, HIS EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT YOWERI KAGUTA MUSEVENI OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA, FOR THE WARM AND CORDIAL HOSPITALITY EXTENDED TO THEM AND THEIR RESPECTIVE DELEGATIONS DURING THEIR STAY IN UGANDA.
DONE AT KAMPALA, THIS 30TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2013

H.E. UHURU KENYATTA
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA
H.E. YOWERI KAGUTA MUSEVENI
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA
H.E. JAKAYA MRISHO KIKWETE
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA
H.E. PIERRE NKURUNZIZA
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BURUNDI
H.E. PAUL KAGAME
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF RWANDA