By KPC Reporter
The East African Community (EAC) has taken a fresh step toward deeper regional integration after Rwanda launched nationwide public consultations on the drafting of a Constitution for the proposed East African Political Confederation.
The consultations, which began in Kigali on Monday, are intended to collect citizens’ views on the proposed political arrangement, widely seen as a transitional stage toward the long-term goal of an East African Political Federation.
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The exercise seeks to ensure that East Africans play a direct role in shaping the future governance structure of the regional bloc.
Rwanda’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Uster Kayitesi, said regional integration remains central to Rwanda’s development agenda and called on citizens to actively participate in the constitution-making process.
“Rwanda’s commitment to regional integration is rooted in our conviction that many of the opportunities and challenges facing our countries require collective action,” said Kayitesi.
“Whether we consider trade and investment or infrastructure development, cooperation provides a stronger foundation for progress than working in isolation.”
The consultations will be conducted over the next two weeks in Kigali, Rubavu, Huye and Nyagatare, according to EAC Secretary-General Stephen Mbundi. Participants will include representatives from government institutions, Parliament, the Judiciary, civil society, academia, political parties, the private sector, youth groups, women’s organizations, persons with disabilities, faith-based organizations and the media.
Mbundi said the consultations are designed to ensure Rwanda’s views are reflected in the draft constitution.
“These engagements are designed to deepen public participation in shaping the institutional and governance framework of the Political Confederation and to ensure that Rwanda’s perspectives are fully reflected in the draft Constitution,” he said.
The EAC’s push for political integration dates back to 2004 when regional leaders established the Wako Committee to explore ways of accelerating the creation of an East African Political Federation.
After years of consultations, the EAC Heads of State in 2017 adopted a Political Confederation as the transitional model toward federation and directed the development of a constitution to guide the process.
Rwanda’s Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Fidelis Mironko, said public participation would be critical to ensuring the constitution reflects the aspirations of East Africans.
“The views gathered through these engagements will help shape a Constitution that reflects the hopes and ambitions of our people,” he said.
The draft constitution is being prepared by constitutional experts appointed by the EAC Council of Ministers in 2019.
