EAC plans joint diplomatic missions

The five East Africa Community member states are planning to have joint diplomatic missions to reduce the cost of operating such as offices.

The bloc says it will ratify the protocol on foreign policy co-ordination in weeks to allow members with diplomatic missions or consulates to extend services to citizens of other partner states that are not represented.

This means that instead of setting up foreign offices in every corner of the world, EAC members will concentrate resources in countries where they have diplomatic or commercial advantage while relying on neighbours’ offices elsewhere.

The presidents of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi witnessed the signing of the protocol in December 2010 but none of the EAC countries had ratified it by June, this year, as agreed.

“There are other processes that have to be completed before the ratification is done but we are certain this will not take longer than two months,” Njogu Ngariama, the head of African division at the ministry of foreign affairs said on Monday.

He said the protocol was being circulated among relevant ministries before it is ratified.

The shared diplomatic and commercial mission initiative comes at a time Kenya is seeking additional resources to help stamp her authority in high potential export destinations

For instance, in US where the country exported a total of Sh24 billion last year, there is only one Commercial Attaché. Trade ministry officials have been considering establishing an office outside Washington DC to help cover other areas of US and maximise the potential of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa)

Among other things, the partner States have agreed under the protocol to jointly present and support each member’s candidates and candidatures for competitive positions in international organisations.

Its ratification means that the countries will have to consult one another before presenting candidates for international vacancies that are zoned or political in nature instead of competing against each other.

The countries will be expected to jointly mobilise support at the regional and international levels in respect of the candidates and candidatures agreed upon by the partner states.

David Nalo, the Permanent Secretary in charge of EAC ministry, said the move to harmonise consular and visa services for EAC citizens was a major step in deepening integration from the political angle.

“This is a major milestone taking place in the region and opens up a multitude of opportunities for all East Africans,” Mr Nalo said in an article sent to media houses on Friday.

The harmonisation of consular and visa services, Mr Nalo said will facilitate cooperation on matters of security, information sharing and immigration policy.

The move will also make the region more attractive for businesses, service providers, tourism, students, and other East Africans who wish to exploit the potential. “Taking the EAC Treaty first, these discussions are evidence of the partner States’ commitment to secure political and diplomatic integration as we head to the ultimate goal of the integration journey, the EAC Political Federation.” said Mr Nalo

The region launched its common market protocol last year, a stage of integration that allows free movement of services and factors of production.

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