The East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) has elected Joseph Ntakarutimana from Burundi as the new Speaker of the House, replacing Rwanda’s Martin Ngoga, who led the outgoing 4th assembly.
Ntakarutimana was elected uncontested after his contenders from South Sudan Hon. Dr. Leonardo Anne Itto and Hon. Gai Deng pulled out of the race.
The speaker took oath after the EALA’s new members from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and recently, the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The oath-taking ceremony was held in Arusha, Tanzania, at the EAC Headquarters on Monday, December 19.
EALA includes a total of 63 members (9 from each member state) and 5 Ministers from partner states (Ex-officio), and the EAC Secretary General and the Council to the Community.
The assembly is governed by Article 9 of the Treaty establishing the East African Community. The agreement was first signed on November 30, 1999, and came into force on July 7, 2000.
According to the provisions of the agreement, each country is represented by nine elected Deputies from each member state.
EALA’s goals include passing laws that regulate the community, monitoring government activities, and advocating on various issues that threaten the people of this community.
EALA also debates and makes recommendations on the organization’s budget needs and how it should be used, and monitors various reports on the organization’s activities and provides oversight for the EAC.
