Arusha. Heads of State of the East African Neighborhood (EAC) are anticipated to carry their twenty third emergency digital assembly on June 7, 2024, the place, amongst different points, they are going to affirm the appointment of the brand new Secretary-Common of the Neighborhood, Veronica Mueni Nduva, who was proposed by Kenya.
In response to an announcement issued by the EAC, the assembly may have two objects on the agenda.
The agenda contains affirmation of the appointment of the brand new Secretary-Common and the appointment of the brand new Decide of the East African Courtroom of Justice (EACJ), who can be from Kenya.
The assembly can be chaired by the Chairperson, President Salva Kiir Mayardit Kiir of South Sudan
The brand new EAC Secretary-Common, who’s taking up from Dr Peter Mathuki is predicted to begin performing his duties after the assembly of the Heads of State.
The Kenyan authorities proposed Veronica to take over from Dr Peter Mathuki for the remaining two ueas, after he was appointed Kenya’s Ambassador to Russia by President William Ruto.
If the appointment is ratified, she would be the first EAC Secretary-Common to depart the place earlier than finishing the five-year time period.
Dr Mathuki was appointed EAC Secretary-Common on February 27, 2021, in the course of the first digital assembly of the Heads of State because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Whereas Caroline awaits affirmation, the East African Neighborhood (EAC) Parliamentary Meeting’s Committee on Authorized Affairs, Privileges, and Rights of Members has begun investigations into allegations in opposition to Dr Mathuki, together with abuse of energy and inflicting a lack of $6 million.
In response to the EAC Treaty, the Secretary-Common is appointed by the Heads of State and serves for a time period of 5 years, which isn’t renewable.
As well as, the Secretary-Common is just not solely the pinnacle of the EAC Secretariat, the group’s govt physique, but additionally the chief accounting officer of that regional physique.
The transfer to take away Dr Mathuki, earlier than the appointment of a brand new one, originated from the EALA Parliament’s session in March this 12 months at its session held in Nairobi, Kenya.
The allegations had been raised and introduced by a member of parliament from South Sudan, Kennedy Mukulia.
Chatting with journalists not too long ago in Arusha, the chairman of the committee, Amashaka Ngole, mentioned that after listening to the allegations, the committee was anticipated to summon Dr Mathuki to answer the allegations.
He listed the allegations in opposition to Dr Mathuki as misuse of energy, together with the lack of safety fund, the sale of Neighborhood property at a loss, together with autos with out following the regulation, hiring staff with out involving the related employment workplace, transferring staff, hiring guards with out following procedures, and opening financial institution accounts with out following procedures.
“The allegations had been raised in Kenya throughout our parliament’s session when it was discussing using $6 million that’s alleged to have been used with out the approval of the EALA parliament beneath the previous Secretary-Common,” he mentioned.
He mentioned the committee had met in Arusha to evaluation proof of the allegations and to assemble and interview witnesses to acquire in-depth verification after which name Dr. Mathuki to query him concerning the allegations in opposition to him.
Ngole mentioned that when the committee completes its investigation of the allegations in opposition to the Secretary-Common, it should submit its report back to the EALA Parliament, which is predicted to satisfy in June this 12 months.
Those that have held the place are Francis Muthaura (Kenya), from 1996 to 2001, Nuwe Amanya Mushega (Uganda) from 2001 to 2006, Ambassador Juma Mwapachu of Tanzania (2006-2011), Dr. Richard Sezibera of Rwanda (2011 to 2016) and Ambassador Mfumukeko from April 2016 to 2021.
The place is often rotated among the many member international locations
