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Milestone as EAC unveils new home==Kagame and Museveni did not show up

 
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Thursday, 29 November 2012 00:14

President Jakaya Kikwete joins President Mwai Kibaki of Kenya (third left), Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza (second right), Rwandan Prime Minister Pierre Damien Habumuremyi (right) and Uganda's Minister of State for East African Affairs Shem Bageine in inaugurating the new East African Community headquarters in Arusha yesterday. PHOTO | FILBERT RWEYEMAMU
By Tom Mosoba

The Citizen Reporter
 
Arusha.The East African Community now has now a permanent place to call home following yesterday's grand opening of an ultra-modern office complex in Arusha.Presidents Jakaya Kikwete, Mwai Kibaki of Kenya and Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi officiated at the colourful ceremony in the city that has cemented its place as the regional bloc's seat of power.
 
Rwandan leader Paul Kagame and President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, who had earlier been expected to join their counterparts in commissioning the imposing complex, did not show up despite an hour's delay to await their arrival.

Rwandan Prime Minister Pierre Damien Habumuremyi finally stepped in for his Mr Kagame, while Ugandan Minister of State for East African Affairs Shem Bagaine represented Mr Museveni. It was not immediately stated why the two missed the occasion despite their names being on the plaque that was unveiled to commemorate the launch.
 
However, the absence did not dampen the joyous spirit among the hundreds of jubilant nationals of the five EAC member countries who braved a chilly morning to witness the historic event described by speakers as a turning point in pursuit of a fully integrated region.
 
The significance of the 18.8 million euro (Sh38.4 billion) office complex fully funded by the German government was also highlighted by the attendance of high-ranking diplomats and dignitaries from the business and civil society communities.
 
Among those who cheered on as the three Presidents unveiled the plaque and cut the tape to usher in the new era were Vice President Mohammed Gharib Bilal, Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda and His Highness the Aga Khan, the founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).
 
As part of the celebrations, EAC Secretary-General Richard Sezibera signed two three-year bilateral agreements with Germany worth 26 million euros (Sh53 billion) for Tax Administration and Investment Promotion reforms and one with the United States Agency for International Development (Usaid) for the digitisation of data exchange among the different revenue authorities that could save up to $50 million (Sh80 billion) in costs at border posts.  
 
The Director for Africa of Germany's Federal Foreign Office, Mr Egon Kochanke, and Dr Ulla Mikota, the Director for Africa in the Federal Ministry for Development Co-operation, represented Germany. They said the financing of the office complex underscored the importance with which Germany held EAC.  "Germany considers regional integration key for peace and security as well as economic development," said Mr Kochanke, who said the time had come to implement the political commitments as demonstrated by the heads of state present.
 
The agreements signed yesterday add to a growing list of bilateral and multilateral development partners seeking to take advantage of a market of over 150 million people in the region to establish and grow their business presence in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda. 
   
Last July, His Highness the Aga Khan signed a pivotal agreement with the EAC to strengthen and broaden cooperation in the areas of economic, social and cultural development. According to the AKDN, the agreement is designed to facilitate sustainable benefits among EAC partner states by maximising on ethnic and religious diversity of the region and placing emphasis on the importance of pluralism in building healthy, sustainable and prosperous societies.
The AKDN agreement will also seek to build on the multiple traditions of East Africa's cultures, faiths and natural habitats. It stipulates that AKDN and EAC will work jointly, together with the Government of Tanzania, to develop the Arusha region as a hub for commerce, governance and intellectual exchange.

Yesterday, President Kibaki, who is the current chairman of the EAC Heads of State Summit, said EAC citizens should be proud of the achievements of the EAC integration process, adding that the new complex should be an impetus for attaining more success.

 "Today is a truly special day for us all. We have opened a project that will serve as a symbol of unity and renewal of the integration process," said President Kibaki. He said the quest to grow and have a people with one destiny had been boosted.

The Kenyan president, however, cautioned that the road ahead was still littered with challenges and urged for concerted efforts to overcome them. He singled out the need for a free movement of goods, services and people. "There is now need to hasten regional infrastructure projects such as roads, railways and renewable energy to ensure our people are enjoying the fruits of this work," he said.

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