President Ruto Calls for Urgent Amendments to Outdated EAC Treaty

In a bid to modernize the East African Community (EAC) and ensure its alignment with the present state of affairs, Kenyan President William Ruto reportedly called for amendments to the EAC treaty, highlighting the necessity of updating the treaty to enable members to harness the benefits of the community fully. Speaking during a meeting with the Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), Joseph Ntakirutimana, President Ruto criticized the use of an outdated law formulated in 1999 to manage the affairs of a much larger and diverse EAC.

President Ruto expressed concerns regarding the restrictions imposed by the existing treaty and stressed the importance of adaptability to admit new members without undue constraints. Since its establishment in 1999, the EAC has grown significantly, with the inclusion of Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and most recently, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Somalia is currently undergoing an eligibility assessment, and there are indications that Ethiopia and Sudan may also join the EAC in the future.

In spite of some progress, President Ruto noted there were certain areas where the EAC treaty has not kept pace with developments. Notably, the official language of the EAC remained English until 2021, disregarding the fact that French is an official language in some member countries. Although a 2021 EAC Heads of State Summit endorsed French as an official lingua franca, this crucial change had not been fully incorporated into the treaty, and implemented in its institutions, especially the EALA.

The EALA speaker expressed support for a treaty review, with particular emphasis on securing financial autonomy for the legislative body. Despite being employed on a temporary basis, reports indicate that some EALA staff members have served for more than two decades, highlighting the need for structural improvements.

Furthermore, the EALA speaker held discussions with Kenya’s Senate Speaker, Moses Wetangula, who proposed direct elections for EALA members, similar to the model adopted by the European Parliament. Wetangula argued that universal suffrage would foster greater awareness and understanding of the EALA among the general population.

President Ruto’s call for amending the EAC treaty highlights the pressing need for institutional flexibility and responsiveness to effectively address the evolving regional dynamics. The proposed changes would not only ensure the fair inclusion of new members but also address linguistic concerns and enhance the EAC’s capacity to meet the expectations and aspirations of its diverse membership. As the EAC continues to grow, it is imperative that it adapts to the changing landscape of the East African region and lays the foundation for a more integrated and prosperous future.