The East African Court of Justice (EACJ) can now handle crimes of international proportion such as genocide, crimes against humanity, terrorism and war crimes following endorsement by East African Community Heads of State.
The extension of the court's mandate was made during the EAC Heads of State Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, on february 2015, that was held under the theme, "Deepening and accelerating integration: Towards Political Federation."
The summit was attended by Presidents Paul Kagame, Uhuru Kenyatta (Kenya), Jakaya Kikwete (Tanzania), Yoweri Museveni (Uganda), Pierre Nkurunziza (Burundi), as well as Salva Kiir of South Sudan, who attended as a guest.
Previously, the court's mandate was limited to resolution of disputes within EAC member states.
The extension of mandate was proposed by the Council of Ministers for approval by the Heads of State last year. It called for adjustment of Article 27 of the EAC Treaty.
The Summit saw President Kenyatta hand over EAC's chairmanship to his Tanzanian counterpart Kikwete, who will serve for one year.
SWORN IN OFFICIALS
At the Summit, the new Deputy Secretary-General, Leberat Mpfumukekeo, was sworn in, replacing his Burundian counterpart Jean Claude Nsengiyumva whose term expires in April.
Other officials sworn in were judges to the EACJ in various positions, including Aidace Ngiye, as judge of the EACJ First Instance Division, Monica Mugenyi as Principal Judge, and Geoffrey Kiryabwire as judge of the EAC Appellate Division.
PROGRESS MADE AND THE WAY FORWARD:
Kenyatta said the region had achieved milestones in the integration process with some benefits being experienced, citing increased intra-regional business opportunities, elimination of trade barriers and reduced cost of doing business.
Intra-EAC trade grew from $3.5 billion in 2009 to about $5.8 billion in 2013.
"This points strongly to the possibility and opportunity for higher trade volumes of trade across our borders. I commend our region's business community for embracing the vast opportunities which come with integration and encourage them to make great use of them. This will create wealth and deliver more jobs for our young population," Kenyatta said.
He admitted that even with the progress achieved, there still exists trade barriers -about 24 in number- that deny the region the opportunity to fully integrate.
On his part, President Kikwete committed to addressing the trade barrier challenges and other hindrances to integration process.
A highlight of the Summit was the launch of an EAC Tele-presence Video Conferencing System, which is expected to save the region about $3.6 million annually that would have otherwise been incurred in logistics expenses by officials.
EAC hosts about 800 meetings every year at on average a cost of $12 million.
EAC Secretary-General Richard Sezibera said the development would facilitate the ambition of changing ways of doing business and decision-making processes for the economic prosperity of the region.
DIRECTIVES:
A statement, released yesterday, said the Summit had decided that the appointment of eminent persons and special envoys for the region will be on a need basis.
"The Summit directed the Council to expedite implementation of the framework for harmonised EAC roaming charges, including the removal of surcharges for international telecommunications traffic originating and terminating within the East African Community by July 15," the statement reads in part.
The Summit also directed the Council of Ministers to study the modalities for promotion of motor vehicle assembly in the region and to reduce the importation of used vehicles from outside EAC.
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