The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) has suspended the recruitment process into the East African Community in a bid to investigate irregularities in the process.

This came after the EALA South Sudan Chapter protested the recruitment process saying their rights as a new member of the East African Community have been disregarded. The Chapter complained that Rwanda and Burundi were granted affirmative action when they joined the EAC but this privilege was denied to them.

South Sudanese started the complaints when only fourteen of the nationals who had applied for the EAC positions were shortlisted and had to compete with members of other partner states, a number they disputed was less than their quota.

Recruitment in question

The EAC 1999 treaty states that citizens of the partner states have the right to employment in the Secretariat of the regional bloc and this seemed to have been overlooked in the case of South Sudan.

This left the recruitment process in question as some lawmakers claimed that the Secretariat was flocked by Kenyans and Tanzanians.

Citizens from Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, and South Sudan viewed the bloc as marginalizing instead of apportioning them their rightful shares. 

Denis Narama, a Ugandan representative, described recruitment as characterized by national interests. 

“The current recruitment exercise has been characterized by disproportionate profiling, shortlisting of candidates from some partner states, shortlisting of some candidates without the required qualifications and experience, the conclusion of interviews, and pushing national interest against the interest of the community,” Narama said.

Martin Ngoga, the EALA’s Speaker said they would investigate the matter and harmonize the means of settling the issue to satisfy member states.

“I can confirm to you that it has been a commitment and discussion with the council members and they are willing to deal with issues here in the best interest of the community and the satisfaction of every member of the community,” said Ngoga.

Happy people

Kim Gai Ruot of the South Sudan Chapter confided that the recruitment process would be started afresh and hopefully South Sudan would have their affirmative action at hand with given positions they would fill without competing with other partner states.

Dr. Anne Itto, the Chairperson of the new Chairperson of the South Sudan Chapter said that they would not be silent whenever they see irregularities in the EAC.

“We will feel irregularity when it happens and we will not condone it, not now not ever, as long as we work here, we will work for the best interest of the public institution,” she said.

Itto said that there were ten institutions in the EAC and thus assessment would be made first as to how many employees are from various partner states and then the quotas would be determined. 

The regional bloc

South Sudanese ousted their chairperson Thomas Dut Gatkek and elected Anne Itto when six of the nine-chapter members demanded the recruitment be halted.

Last week, the South Sudanese Chapter decided to form a committee of three to sit down with the EAC Secretary-General concerning the issue. 

The committee was to be comprised of the South Sudan Undersecretary of East African Community Affairs Andrea Malueth, the Former Chairperson of the Chapter Thomas Dut Gatkek, and the new Chairperson Dr. Anne Itto.

On Tuesday, the decision by Council overrode the chapter’s decision when the recruitment was halted at the plenary session.

The East African Community is the implementing organ of the Council of Ministers and provides recommendations to the council.

Nearly five months ago, the Secretariat advertised positions that were to be filled by partner states to cover the gap of the exiting 52 employees between July and November next year.

According to the information on the EAC official website, EAC secures the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence, professionalism, and integrity and any citizen of the partner state is eligible to apply for any vacant position.

It is deemed to observe equal representation and non-discrimination in the recruitment process through a quota system regardless of race, religion, or gender. EAC has employed about 400 employees.