President Paul Kagame has reaffirmed Rwanda’s support for deeper East African integration, urging constitutional experts drafting the proposed Constitution of the East African Political Confederation to produce practical recommendations that can move the regional bloc closer to political union.
Kagame made the remarks as the East African Community concluded two weeks of national consultations in Rwanda on the proposed constitution, part of an ongoing process to gather public views from Partner States before a draft is submitted through the bloc’s decision-making structures.
“The aspirations of East African citizens continue to demonstrate strong support for deeper regional integration,” Kagame told the team of constitutional experts during a courtesy meeting in Kigali. He urged the experts to develop “practical and forward-looking recommendations” that would advance the Political Confederation while addressing challenges that continue to affect regional integration.
The consultations, held in Kigali, Huye, Nyagatare and Rubavu, brought together representatives from government institutions, Parliament, the judiciary, academia, the private sector, civil society, political parties, faith-based organizations, youth groups, women’s organizations, persons with disabilities and the media.
The chairperson of the EAC Constitutional Experts Team, retired Ugandan Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki, said participants offered a broad range of views that will help shape the proposed constitution.
“What stands out from the Rwanda consultations is the depth and diversity of views expressed, which will be critical in shaping a practical and forward-looking constitutional framework for the East African Political Confederation,” Odoki said.
He said constitutional experts will compile reports from consultations held in each Partner State before submitting them through the East African Community’s institutional structures for consideration by the bloc’s Heads of State as part of the constitution-drafting process.
The EAC’s Deputy Secretary General responsible for Infrastructure, Productive, Social and Political Sectors, Aguer Ariik Malueth, said the regional bloc intends to complete consultations in the remaining Partner States.
“The EAC remains committed to ensuring that the consultation process is inclusive, participatory and reflective of the aspirations of all East Africans,” Malueth said. “The insights gathered from the Partner States will contribute to the development of a constitutional framework that reflects the collective priorities, interests and ambitions of the peoples of East Africa.”
The proposed East African Political Confederation is intended to serve as a transitional stage toward the bloc’s long-term goal of a Political Federation. It represents the fourth pillar of the EAC integration agenda, following the Customs Union, Common Market and Monetary Union.
While the consultations mark progress in drafting the proposed constitution, the document will still undergo review through the Community’s institutional processes before any decisions are taken by EAC leaders on its adoption.
