The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), wants Partner States to Infuse Mechanism for Speedy Implementation of Peace and Security Decisions in the RegionFollowing the recent terrorist attack in Garissa University College in Kenya that led to the death of over 140 persons, EALA now wants further intensification of the co-operation by the Partner States and the establishment and ratification of a mechanism to implement decisions in the quest to fight terrorism and to restore peace and security in the region. A Resolution to this effect was tabled by Hon Jeremie Ngendakumana and unanimously passed on the floor of the House as the House adjourned sine die (indefinitely) on Thursday.
The Resolution calls on the EAC Council of Ministers to establish and ratify a mechanism that aids implementation of decisions made in the areas of peace and security. It calls for the need to strengthen international, regional and sub-regional cooperation aimed at enhancing the region’s capacity to prevent, combat and effectively eliminate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. In line with this, the Assembly urges the Partner States to take and strengthen national measures as appropriate, to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction and to block their means of delivery to the region.
Hon Jeremie Ngendakumana asserts that terrorism continues to pose a serious threat to regional peace and security, the enjoyment of human rights as well as the social and economic development of the Partner States and that they have become more diverse with an increase in terrorist attacks.
The EAC Treaty envisages strong political relations, peace and security as critical factors in creating a conducive environment for regional cooperation and integration. At the moment, there are a number of initiatives in place aimed at promoting peace and security. Such include the conclusion of the EAC Protocol on Peace and Security, although this is bedevilled by constant delays according to Ngendakumana.
The Resolution also calls on the Partner States to seal any loopholes and to ensure the suppression of financing of terrorist acts as well as the condemnation of increased use of technology in particular the internet for the purpose of recruitment of the terrorists.
Contributing to the debate, Patricia Hajabakiga called on the Partner States to jointly support each other when such attacks take place. Emerence Bucumi mourned the passing away of innocent students in Garissa recently as he said the loss was too grave. “We have lost an entire generation and this is sad. We need to strengthen co-operation to build our capacities to address the terrorism issue,” she said.
Hafsa Mossi also condemned the attack. “It was sad given that many of those killed come from marginalized communities and this is a double blow. We need to be united as East Africans and contain the terrorists who are trying to destabilize our region. When you attack one Partner State, you indeed attack all Partner States and we must put in place a counter-terrorism strategy”, the legislator said.
Hon Susan Nakawuki called for urgent funding to support the fight against terrorism while Hon Nusura Tiperu called on all public and private institutions to beef up security.
Garissa University College was founded in 2011 as a constituent College of Moi University, in the facilities of the former Garissa Teachers Training College. It was the first and only public institution offering degree courses in the North Eastern Province, based around 200km from the border of Somalia, and was considered to be one of the safest spots in that region.
On April 2nd, 2015, gunmen attacked the institution and took the lives of at least 148 people of whom 142 were students, 3 were soldiers and 3 were police officers. Up to 587 students escaped but 79 were injured. The attack was the deadliest since the 1998 Al Qaeda twin bombings of the US Embassies in Nairobi and Dar se Salaam which left 200 people dead. Last year, the Westgate Shopping Mall was attacked in which another 67 persons lost their lives.