Debate over having one president in the East Africa region
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Political experts East Africa Community against having one president as debate exploring the possibility rages on
Political experts East Africa Community against having one president as debate exploring the possibility rages on.
Foreign policy experts on Tuesday, May 23, cautioned against the action, claiming that it was premature, as the discussion over the idea of having one president for the East African region gaining traction.
Speaking to local media, political analyst Herman Manyora maintained that there are other urgent matters that need to be addressed by East African Community (EAC) states before the issue of regional president.
“We have a long way to go before we can think of having a single Head of State for the region. The matter of regional president should be last on the agenda after looking at enhanced trade, common language, open boundaries for market and a common currency,” he explained.
A unified head for the region, according to Manyora, might take years to establish because it is a political issue that necessitates extraordinary action from all of the member states.
In order to serve as a roadmap for the process, he continued, the move required a unified constitution for the region.
Prof. Edward Kisiang’ani, a political specialist and principal secretary for broadcasting and telecommunications, held the same opinion, arguing that the region should first address more pressing matters.
“It may take more time for the region to have a common leader but it is a good idea that can enhance regional integration,” stated Kisiang’ani.
Kisiang’ani explained that managing a political outfit for the region was not easy, citing examples of political intrigues facing political parties in the country.
This came after constitutional specialists from the East African States gathered in Nairobi on May 22 to hear Kenyans’ thoughts and ideas on having a regional head of state.
The experts meeting in Nairobi was aimed at strengthening East African Community that was formed in 1997.
Dr. Benjamin Odoki RT, Chief Justice of Uganda, made the suggestion that a regional Head of State could be either the current or former leader of a member State during his or her remarks at the meeting.
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“For any person to initiate plans of leading the East African political federation, he/she must have served as a president in the region,” Odoki stated.
Other proposals during the Monday meeting included; the inclusion of more youth to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) parliament, the existence of a common language in the region, a common currency and the harmonization of tax laws.
Nairobi County Deputy Governor Njoroge Muchiri who was also present during the meeting, called on all leaders in the country and the region to support the initiative.
Muchiri explained that Kenya had continued with internal discussions on pushing the agenda for the East African Community.
On her part, Makueni County deputy governor Lucy Mulili, suggested that all counties need to be fairly represented in the initiative.
Other leaders present during the Nairobi meeting insisted that the East African federation will not lead to the dissolution of the sovereign states in the region.
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