Kilaso wants integration process stepped up

Former EAC Deputy Secretary in charge of political Federation, Beatrice Kiraso

By AGENCIES

EAST African Community should establish and empower its decision-making organs in order to speed up the pace of regional economic integration

The former EAC Deputy Secretary in charge of political Federation, Beatrice Kiraso, said the attainment of the Political Federation would depend on how partner states implemented the protocols on Customs Union, Common Market protocol and the monetary union.

“Powerful and independent institutions will need to be established to oversee implementation of Customs Union and Common Market. There will also be need for a strong monitoring and evaluation to ensure compliance with agreed upon standards,” Ms Kiraso said in her farewell interview

“As for Monetary Union, the initial arrangement for its execution will need a lot of political will and commitment to minimise arbitrary actions by Partner States on macro-economic issues. The benefits of integration need to be tangible for all.”

The EAC is currently discussing modalities of a monetary union, which is expected to usher in the use of a single currency.  But so far, some partner states have been slow to ensure the requisite protocol is in place.  Moreover, even the signed protocols of Customs Union and Common Market are still facing with challenges of implementation.

She also said countries that do not want an EAC integration stepped up should not be allowed to hold others at ransom.