Events in Eala offer key lessons for regional bloc

Mr Dan Fred Kidega takes an oath as the new Eala Speaker recently. PHOTO | FILE 

By By Issac Mwangi The Citizen Correspondent

In Summary

Kidega replaced Margaret Nantongo Zziwa, also a Ugandan, after the East African Court of Justice declined to protect the latter from MPs who had long been campaigning against her, paving the way for her impeachment. Unfortunately, the problems seen at Eala over the past year were not restricted to that institution.

Arusha. Last week’s election of Dan Fred Kidega as Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly (Eala) was the perfect end of year gift to all those who were tired of the intrigues at the regional legislature.

Kidega replaced Margaret Nantongo Zziwa, also a Ugandan, after the East African Court of Justice declined to protect the latter from MPs who had long been campaigning against her, paving the way for her impeachment. Unfortunately, the problems seen at Eala over the past year were not restricted to that institution. They are symptomatic of a culture of non-accountability that has taken root in East Africa. That malady is to be found in our political institutions, corporate governance, and the manner we handle every situation that comes our way.

It is this pervasive culture that dictates that those who have failed in the governance of the institutions they are charged to oversee can never see the sense in resigning. They will instead fight tooth and nail to keep the positions they have despite dismal performance – even invoking ethnic or nationalistic feelings to protect their positions.

The law has sometimes abetted this unbecoming behaviour by making it possible for people who are a public nuisance to obtain endless injunctions and reprieves that have the ultimate effect of frustrating the will of the people. It is an unintended effect of democracy and the rule of law that we must seek to minimize in East Africa; essentially, political reforms are meant for the good of the people and not protection of rogue officials.

Kenya is moving in the right direction in these matters. Only recently, former Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo was forced to opt for early retirement following a public outcry regarding inability of the police force to curb insecurity, especially that arising from terrorism by Al Shabaab cells in the country. Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph ole Lenku was similarly shown the door.

But even Kenya, East Africa’s largest economy, has had a number of serious failings. Corruption continues unabated, ethnic consciousness is at its peak, the political scene is highly charged and threatens to compromise economic progress, and the social fabric has virtually broken down as a result of numerous pressures.

The rest of East Africa has followed this same pattern to varying degrees. Burundi’s stability has been a matter of concern. Democracy remains stifled in Uganda. In Rwanda, President Paul Kagame has received accolades for his transformative leadership, yet basic freedoms remain muzzled – a potential powder keg in future if strong democratic institutions are not nurtured. Tanzania, while no doubt the most secure country in the regional bloc, still suffers occasional bouts of strong-arm politics and suspicions.

The regional integration process has until now focused on harmonization of economic policies and institutions. This is quite in order, and there have been enormous benefits to the region’s people and businesses. Intra-regional trade has grown by leaps and bounds, infrastructure has improved, and new multinational businesses have emerged.

The Customs Union and Common Market have been achieved, even if imperfectly. We have now taken the first tentative steps in our journey toward Monetay Union. The next logical step in the integration agenda cannot be avoided forever. Political integration is the ultimate aim of East Africans.

The first East African Community broke up at the altar of political and ideological disagreement. Our second attempt at unification of the people of East Africa will similarly succeed or break up on the political front.

We cannot wait to get there before making important decisions, beginning with developing a democratic culture across the region. We need to cultivate tolerance and respect for opposing opinions, all the while eschewing violence.

The regional institutions that we are establishing must lead in the development of this new culture of accountability. As seen with Eala, they have so far not lived up to this high calling.