Eighteen members of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Committee on Regional Affairs and Conflict Resolution are currently in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to strengthen EALA’s legislative and oversight mandate. The event is to streamline the EAC’s funding and implementation of continental peace and security protocols and programmes.

The delegation is set to be in Addis from April 25-29, 2022, and is set to interact with African Union Commission (AUC) stakeholders involved in peace and security and political affairs. They will familiarise themselves with the operationalisation of the African Union’s peace, security and political programmes.

The committee will also familiarise itself with the progress made, challenges, as well as lessons learned in terms of best practices, including alternative financing models for continental peace programs. This will effectively contribute to the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts in the EAC region and the continent as a whole.

During the visit to the AU Commission, the committee is expected to hold interactive sessions with the AUC Peace and Security Council (PSC) Secretariat and receive presentations from key directors and heads of departments, specifically those involved in matters related to defence, peace, security, and political affairs.

At the end of the visit, the committee is expected to table a report before the assembly, which will generate debate and recommendations by the assembly for consideration by the EAC Council of Ministers for implementation by the EAC Partner States. 

One of the fundamental principles of the East African Community is the peaceful settlement of disputes and peaceful co-existence. In effect, the community aspires to be a prosperous, competitive, secure, stable, and politically united East Africa.

Article 124 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community recognises that Peace and Security are pre-requisites to social and economic development within the Community, and are vital to the achievement of the objectives of the Community.

Sustainable peace cannot be attained, until people feel safe, trust each other and are capable of holding their governments accountable to guarantee their protection and accord them a peaceful and secure environment to live, reside, trade, and travel freely.