DAVID MUWANGA

BUJUMBURA, BURUNDI: EAC security, home affairs, internal affairs and public security ministers have endorsed a security report that is aimed at implementing various mechanisms that would improve security standards in the region ahead of the implementation of the Common Market protocol.

The report was signed after the third meeting of the sectoral council on inter-state security meeting held in Bujumbura, Burundi recently.

Tanzania's State Minister for Good Governance in the office of the President Sophia Simba signed on behalf of her government while the assistant Minister for Provincial Administration and Internal Security Simeon Lesirima signed on behalf of Kenya.

Mr. Musa Fasil Harelimana the internal security minister signed on behalf of Rwanda, Kirunda Kivejinja, Uganda's Minister of Internal Affairs signed on behalf of his government and Alaim Guillaume, Minister for Public Security signed on behalf of the Burundi government.

During the meeting the Ministers reviewed the status of implementation of decisions of the previous council on cooperation on human and drug trafficking, motor vehicle thefts, harmonization of standard operating procedures for the police, prisons and an update on the small and light weapons control initiatives.

“We also considered issues related to the implementation of the Customs Union, Common Market protocols and underscored the need for the security sector to identify threats that may undermine the success of these integration stages,” said Sophia Simba. She said the ministers reaffirmed the need for partner states to expedite implementation of the council decisions.

“They should also establish a team of experts to urgently examine the Customs Union and Common Market protocols and propose measures necessary to identify issues of security nature that need to be addressed for the success of the two integration stages,”

The ministers also received a report on security challenges on Lake Victoria and other water bodies in the region.

“We have resolved to address these through regional initiatives including sensitization of cross border communities, joint training, operations and development of joint border control programmes,” she explained.

“Signing of the report means we are getting deeper into forming joint security mechanisms by harmonizing from different fronts,” said the deputy secretary general in charge of political federation Beatrice Kiraso.

She revealed that in the next council meeting to be held next month, a number of protocols including one on peace and security and good governance that has got the four pillars on human rights, democracy and the democratization process, corruption, integrity and rule of law will be signed.

She said another protocol on defence will lay a firm foundation for the political federation.