IGIHE

Author: IGIHE

  • Bank sued over genocide

    {{Three rights groups have filed a lawsuit accusing France’s biggest bank of complicity in Rwanda’s 1994 genocide, for allegedly helping Rwandan authorities purchase weapons despite a U.N. arms embargo.}}

    The three organizations — Sherpa, Ibuka France and CPCR — said in a statement issued today that BNP Paribas is suspected of authorizing transfers worth $1.3 million from the Rwandan state bank to an arms dealer. The dealer is believed to have provided weapons to the genocide government.

    The lawsuit was filed in a Paris court Wednesday. BNP said it would not comment until it has further information.

  • MTN Rwanda provides ‘Mutuelle de Sante’ to 500 from Rwandan Muslim Community

    {MTN Rwanda yesterday donated Rwf 1.5M to 500 individuals from the Rwandan Muslim Community for their Mutuelle de Sante subscription to enable them access health care services. The event took place yesterday at the MTN Headquarters in Nyarutarama.}

    According to the MTN Rwanda CEO, Mr Bart Hofker, the gesture was to join the Rwandan Muslim Community in and around Kigali to support them as they observe the Holy month of Ramadan.

    “This is a show of continued support and making a difference in the lives of our customers and especially now, in the lives of our Muslim brothers and sisters as they come to the end of the holy month of Ramadan,” he said.

    One of the four representatives from the Rwandan Muslim Community Mr Ntawiha Haridi on behalf of the Muslim community, heartily thanked MTN Rwanda for the donation they were given noting that it is not the first time MTN Rwanda is doing this to their community. He mentioned that the donation shall be used to enable 500 members of their community to access health care services.

    ‘Mutuelle de Santé’ is a community-based universal health care scheme launched in 2015 to ensure that all Rwandans have access to health care.

    Alain Numa, the Head of Promotion, Sponsorship and Events at MTN Rwanda said, “This is not the first time we have supported the Muslim Community in Rwanda. As a company that ensures we make the lives of our customers’ brighter, MTN will continue with the spirit of association with its clientele in a show of solidarity and appreciation of support it has received over the years.”

  • “In Teaching there is Freedom” – Inspiring the Next Generation of Educators in Rwanda

    {In the first few moments stepping onto campus, it is apparent that Bicumbi Teacher Training College, located in Rwamagana District, is not an ordinary secondary school. Built in 1973, the school’s age is invisible beneath pristine landscaping and spotless brick classrooms. Quotes by Socrates on hand-painted signs speckle the courtyards: “I cannot teach anyone anything, I can only make them think.”}

    Jean Nizeyimana is an instructor, or “tutor”, at TTC Bicumbi. Married with three young children, he has been educating Rwanda’s next generation of teachers for over ten years. Jean loves teaching, and prides himself on challenging students to demonstrate their knowledge in practical ways in order to distinguish themselves from others. When he is not in the classroom, Jean can be found proudly showcasing his students’ latest creations in the Teacher’s Resource Center (TRC), one of many innovations made possible due to generous support from the Ikea Foundation, UNICEF, and other partners.

    Students study the art of teaching for six class periods per day, one of which is spent in the TRC. Jean shows them how to make teaching aids from easily accessible local materials, such as discarded containers of Pringles, rice sacks, empty water bottles, and banana leaves. These materials are used to enhance student engagement and provide visual representations of the theories being communicated. For example, Jean demonstrates how water bottles can be used to convey measurements of volume in a science class. Students can also gain practical classroom experience by modelling their new resources at a nearby primary school.

    As a result of dedicated tutors like Jean, students are immediately qualified to enter the workforce as primary school teachers after completing three years at the TTC. Under the leadership of the Ministry of Education, UNICEF Rwanda is proud to support such inspirational leaders who are shaping the young minds of Rwanda.

    “In teaching there is freedom,” Jean asserts. “We can get hope from our new generation; we help our country to develop by educating everyone.”

    Source : Unicef

  • Thanks to quality pre-primary learning, children aspire to contribute to the development of their country

    {Keza is five years old. She is in her last year of pre-primary school at Gasanze School, one of the UNICEF-supported Child-Friendly Schools. She is excited about graduating from pre-primary and speaks happily about her teachers and the variety of toys she finds in class.}

    When asked what she dreams to be in the future, Keza responds without hesitation. “I want to be the president when I grow. I am in school to prepare myself for that dream.” Explaining how her lessons help her towards her dream, Keza proudly adds, “my teacher gives me time to play with toys and he teaches us Kinyarwanda and Mathematics. I know a president must know how to read and write and should know how to count well.”

    Gasanze School is a beneficiary of the UNICEF CFS model rollout by the Ministry of Education in which over 70 schools were constructed. Most recently, in collaboration with the Adventist Development and Relief Agency, the school has received an addition of a pre-primary section. This initiative is part of the UNICEF pilot model for early learning, supported by Schools for Africa and UK Department for International Development. As a full-fledged primary school from pre-primary, Gasanze School has spacious, aerated classrooms, improved sanitation and hygiene facilities, a well-stocked library, disability-friendly buildings and pathways, and green safe playgrounds. The recently added pre-primary unit has been equipped with child-appropriate furniture and a range of play-based materials to support children’s learning.

    Through play, children are able to engage in hands-on activities as they interact with their classmates. This approach enhances innovation and creativity as children are able to play and learn according to individual interests and choices.

    Jean Claude Munyeshyaka, Keza’s teacher, says, “When pupils begin their first year of nursery school, they are excited but shy. They are usually unable to speak because they are not with their parents. This is a good time for us to start engaging them until they are able to talk and share their thoughts.” Jean Claude explained that the lessons he teaches his students in nursery prepare them to start primary school with a solid foundation. Jean Claude uses the early learning teaching manual developed by Rwanda Education Board with the support of UNICEF. As part of overall support to the curriculum review process, towards the currently rolled-out competency-based curriculum, UNICEF has collaborated with the Ministry of Education to develop the first ever pre-primary curriculum. Jean Claude has also benefitted from UNICEF-supported national trainings for caregivers on facilitating play-based learning, and continues to benefit from teaching support through the UNICEF-supported school-based mentorship programme aimed at supporting the national school-based mentorship programme implemented by Rwanda Education Board.

    Expanding access to pre-primary education is only one of the ways UNICEF and the Government of Rwanda collaborate to create a vibrant new generation with visions like Keza’s. Encouraging children to dream big and plan their future is essential for strengthening Rwanda’s education system. In schools like Keza’s, each student has a personal file, where teachers keep track of a child’s individual interests based their habits during play. This allows teachers to support their students’ passions to achieve their dreams.

    Eugenie Mukamurenzi, headmistress at Gasanze, said, “I am happy about our progress impacting quality education. I hope UNICEF will continue to help the Government of Rwanda support our school so we can ensure quality education for the future generation of students.”

    Keza (right) with her classmate Wilson (left) discussing their future goals.
    Keza (right) with her classmate Wilson (left) discussing their future goals.

    Source : UNICEF

  • “Life is all about setting goals” – Josiah’s story

    { “Life is all about setting goals. Without data, we don’t know how things were 15 years ago, and we don’t know how we want to be 15 years from now. This is what I learnt from the discussion on the Millennium and Sustainable Development Goals.”}

    Josiah is 13 years old. He likes to study geography in school, and he recently participated in “Reading Data with Children”, a collaborative event between UNICEF and the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), organized as part of Africa Statistics Day. Nowadays, he is a strong advocate for children’s rights at home, at school, and in his community by using the statistics as a tool. At “Reading Data with Children”, Josiah learnt about the great progress Rwanda made towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. To quote Josiah’s own sentiment, he was “transformed” by reading data.

    Every year in November, the African statistical community celebrates Africa Statistics Day to raise public awareness about the importance of statistics in economic and social development. NISR and UNICEF recognize that not only are children the most seriously affected by development, but are also the future leaders and citizens who will have to live with its consequences. Therefore, the two agencies organized “Reading Data with Children” to compliment Africa Statistics Day, inviting children to discuss issues related to children’s rights and using Rwanda’s latest data from the Demographic and Health Survey and the Integrated Household Living Survey. Discussions focused on the most recent socio-economic indicators related to children’s rights, and were followed by a creative painting session to help children visually express issues of equity and relate them to their own lives. To promote inclusiveness, a partnership was established with the National Commission for Children and the National Council of Persons with Disabilities. Data-themed t-shirts were designed to further nurture solidarity and inclusion among the participants.

    The Reading Data with Children event turned out to be very successful. About 50 children between 12 and 17 participated, boasting equal rates of girls and boys, including some children with disabilities. Children were fascinated by Rwanda’s Millennium Development Goal achievements, and by reading statistics for the first time. They absorbed key messages quickly, such as the importance of education for girls and the correlation between educated mothers and good healthcare practices.

    Without being prompted, one girl reacted quickly when she noticed the graph showing steadily increasing institutional delivery rates in Rwanda. “Some women are still dying during delivery, as they do not have an access to health facilities,” she said. “I know these things are really happening. I think it is the Government’s responsibility to ensure that all women have access to medical services. In the future, I would like to see every mother informed about proper childcare in Rwanda.”

    Participants were emphatically voicing their opinions, one after another, both vocally and through sign language. They shared vivid stories about related situations in their own communities. They eloquently requested the Government’s commitment to universal access to education. The children were powerful, vocal, and fearless. Officials present at the event were simultaneously overwhelmed and impressed by the children’s active engagement.

    At the Reading Data with Children event, Josiah was fascinated by Rwanda’s human development statistics, which he had never seen before. At the official Africa Statistics Day ceremony, Josiah represented the other participants and presented his analysis to more than 200 people, including high ranking officials from the Board of NISR. He pointed to a colourful map of Rwanda, showing the disparity in stunting rates between districts. “As you can see, many children are suffering from malnutrition in the Western Province,” he began. “It is your responsibility to ensure that every child has a balanced diet.” He presented for 20 minutes with no pause, confident and assertive, empowered by the data he had absorbed.

    Two months later, NISR and UNICEF visited Josiah at his home in Kigali. Josiah answered the door, hardly recognizable in his sudden shyness. It was difficult to remember that he had spoken so eloquently at the event; outside of the Reading Data with Children context, he behaved like any other 13 year old boy.

    The interview took place in the evening, when Josiah’s father insisted that all family members would be present for the visit. Josiah sat in the living room next to his father and shared his recollections of the Reading Data event. That day, immediately after returning home, Josiah told his parents and siblings, “We need to make sure that we all eat a balanced diet!” His advocacy did not stop there. The following day, he prepared a school report and presented recommendations to his teachers. “I told my teachers that they need to do more research by making the best use of internet and digital information in order to enrich their class,” he said. “I was inspired by the discussion about the rates of Internet access in Rwanda.”

    Using the handouts distributed at the Reading Data event, Josiah approached his friends and showed the maps and graphs. “Don’t just wait for others to come and help you by staying home and watching television,” he told them. “We must take care of ourselves first, and next we need to stand up and go help others.” He told them about his presentation at Africa Statistics Day and how children are suffering from malnutrition. Although his stories and handouts were foreign to his classmates, it did not take long for his ideas to spread around his neighbourhood.

    Josiah reminded his visitors that the Global Goals are all about real lives after all. Human development, politics, economy and social welfare are often discussed as if they exist in a world of opinion and subjectivity, but how many people can ascribe real meaning to the Goals like Josiah? After speaking with Josiah, it was not difficult to believe that children are truly the future of development; his words were so wise and inspiring, and much more powerful than the perceived ivory tower where adult opinions are manifest.

    Adults have a lot to learn from children, from the way they read and interpret data to how they view the world through data, and most importantly, how a 13 year old can be empowered and confident if given the opportunity.

    Josiah wants to pursue a career in international development studies. “After graduating from school, I want to work to improve the education, health, and economy of Rwanda, as I realized that we still have many problems,” he said. “No matter how difficult, I will achieve my dreams step by step. After achieving one goal, I will set another, because life is about moving ahead by setting goals.”

    Noting the success of Reading Data with Children, NISR proposed that the event should be an official part of the Africa Statistics Day celebration in Rwanda, and requested UNICEF’s continued support in this endeavour. In order to reach more children, NISR also proposed to make statistical discussions an official extracurricular activity in secondary schools .

    During the interview, Josiah’s father and mother were listening carefully to everything their son was saying. His father even took notes throughout the interview. As the interview team was leaving, his father whispered that since the Reading Data event, Josiah had changed his eating habits. With a proud smile, his father said, “He eats many more vegetables these days.”

    Josiah even asked to see development data from Somalia, stating that he knew children are suffering there, and that he wants to be aware of the comparison. He requested UNICEF and NISR to invite many more children to the next Reading Data event. “I think all Rwandan children deserve an experience like mine.”

    Josiah addresses a crowd of over 200 at the Africa Statistics Day celebration in Rwanda, presenting his ideas for a data-driven future.
    Josiah facilitates a discussion on malnutrition at the Reading Data with Children event.

    Source : UNICEF

  • Dreams come true as dedicated social workers find loving families for orphans in Rwanda

    {Back in Nyarugenge district, Peter was an orphan. He was abandoned as a newborn, helpless and dependent, before a small group of nuns discovered him in a garbage bin. The nuns raised him until he was eight years old, when he moved to an orphanage.}

    As he grew older, Peter continued to demonstrate what his caretakers could only describe as “challenging” behaviour. Lacking in familial love and positive role models, Peter was violent towards other children, picked fights and bullied children his own age, and had very poor performance in school, consistently ranking as the last in his class.

    Initially, his caretakers at the orphanage and the social workforce from the National Commission for Children made several attempts to find him a family, but he would mostly refuse to go. Only once did his caretakers believe they had finally found a family for him, and they excitedly arranged a visit. But only a few hours later, Peter arrived back at the orphanage. He had taken a taxi on his own, telling his caretakers that he preferred the orphanage. “No family can fit me,” he said.

    A few years ago, social worker Angelique Mukamana dedicated herself to Peter’s case alongside her colleague Lydia Bigirimana, a child psychologist. Angelique and Lydia work in Nyarugenge District, one of the three districts comprising Kigali City, on child protection cases as part of the Tubarerere mu Muryango programme.

    Tubarerere mu Muryango means “let’s raise children in families” in Kinyarwanda, the local language spoken by nearly all Rwandans. Not only does it capture a ubiquitous cultural value – that the pride of most families is their children – but it is also an important Government programme aimed at finding safe homes and loving families for all children in institutional care. Since its inception in 2013, UNICEF has supported this programme, with funding from organisations like Zonta International and the Displaced Children and Orphans Fund of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

    In Nyarugenge District, all children formerly living in institutions have been reintegrated into families. The success of the Tubarerere mu Muryango programme depends on the determination of social workers like Angelique. In addition to facilitating adoptions, Angelique facilitates trainings on positive parenting, teaching families and communities about the importance of a loving and emotionally supportive environment for children. The trainings also seek to promote child participation in decision-making and prevent violence against children, and Angelique has found that adults have begun to seek parenting advice from her and other professionals. Before children are considered to be successfully reintegrated, Angelique follows up with each family on a regular basis for six months to a year, ensuring that the child is safe and happy in their new home.

    “Families are learning that with emotional support and a caring environment free of violence, children are capable of developing and accomplishing anything,” Angelique said, “and that they don’t need to live in institutions just because they have some problems.”

    Angelique was determined to find a family for Peter. She worked closely with Lydia to find a family with time and patience to devote to him, one with other children who Peter could eventually call brothers and sisters. One of the key components of Angelique’s work was to talk with Peter and listen to his stories, his concerns, and his aspirations. She tried to use this information as the foundational criteria for his family.

    Eventually, after careful assessment, Peter’s new family was found. He still gets rough on the playground, but only because he’s playing football or wrestling with his siblings. He has multiple brothers and sisters, and proudly calls his foster parents “Mom” and “Dad.” Peter has even improved at school; recently, he succeeded in his national exams, graduated from primary school, and will enter his first year of secondary school this month.

    Angelique smiled when she spoke of Peter. It is children like him who prove that her work within the Tubarerere mu Muryango programme has had a profound effect. She spoke selflessly about the success of efforts like hers, and implored unselfconsciously for increased support so the programme can be strengthened.

    Although Angelique’s work is far from finished, it is not difficult to see why she feels fulfilled. “We see such big changes in their lives, even after only three to six months,” she said. “It makes me so proud to see children improving in their new families.”

    Angelique Mukamana, a social worker in Nyarugenge District, Kigali, works long hours to find foster family for children living in institutions.

    { *Note: The name of the child in this story has been changed to protect his identity.}

    Source : Unicef

  • “Itetero : Disseminate important messages on health through radio to reach communities in Rwanda”

    {Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA) production team for the Itetero children’s radio programme visited Huye District. Itetero means “children’s nurturing space” in Kinyarwanda, Rwanda’s local language.}

    “When we create a new episode of Itetero radio programme, we focus on key messages for children and parents – what families need to know about mothers’ health and children’s health,” explains Christine Uwizeye, Itetero producer from RBA.

    For the upcoming episode about family interacting with a Community Health Worker (CHW), Christine interviews with Goretti Kayirere, who is serving as a CHW in Kinazi Sector, Huye District, Southern Province.

    Goretti has been supporting her community for 16 years. She is a mother of five children and her youngest child is 15 years old. Goretti’s day is divided between her CHW roles and her tasks as a mother at home. But whenever someone from her village calls her, she tries to attend to her neighbours quickly and provide quality follow-up.

    “It is voluntary work and I am proud of myself. Sometimes I go to see a mother with a new-born baby in the morning, then I go to see another baby in the afternoon.”

    Goretti goes to the health centre in her village to attend meetings, receive training, and to collect medication and communication materials. Since 2013, she has attended many trainings on Rapid SMS system, including how to register and send critical information through RapidSMS.

    “The first child I helped as a CHW had malaria. I took her temperature and she showed all the symptoms of malaria. I helped her get necessary treatment and later on she recovered. That experience gave me self-confidence and recognition from my community members. It was only the beginning — there were many more cases when I helped families and children in my community.”

    She continues. “When a family moves to another village or district, I also help them by transferring their information through RapidSMS so that they can continue to get attention from their new CHW and health centre.”

    RapidSMS technology enabled a community approach to health care in a true sense of the word. It mobilizes a network of 45,000 CHWs to track every pregnant woman and baby. It was introduced by the Government of Rwanda as a pilot project in one district in 2009 with technical and financial support from UNICEF, aiming to reduce the high rate of maternal and new-born mortality as a national development priority. RapidSMS technology enables timely reporting, feedback and quick actions to save lives. The data gathered at the central level are shared with District Hospitals to inform the planning and interventions for health issues at community level.

    Today, Goretti is visiting the family of Jeanne d’Amour Kwitonda with the RBA team. Jeanne d’Amour gave birth to her baby girl three weeks ago.

    “Goretti visits me often to check how my children are, especially my baby Joie. When I was in labour, I called her and she accompanied me to the health centre. She only left after I delivered the baby and after my mother came to take care of me. I am very thankful,” said Jeanne.

    After Joie was born, Goretti sent a message through RapidSMS to record that both mother and child were healthy.

    “Now I visit her family to check if everything is going well. I receive timely reminders from health centre through RapidSMS related to health issues, for example, when the baby needs vaccination,” said Goretti. Then, she turned to the mother with an important piece of advice. “Love your children. Care and love also affect children.”

    “I advise all parents to get the support they need from CHWs and to seek timely health treatment for their children,” explained Goretti.

    The interview with Goretti on how to take care of mothers’ health and children’s health will be broadcast on Radio Rwanda as part of the Itetero programme. Her story and advice will be received by many parents across the country.

  • Theresa May signs agreement with Northern Ireland’s DUP

    {Agreement to enable Theresa May’s Conservative Party to govern the country despite losing its majority in parliament.}

    Prime Minister Theresa May’s Conservatives have signed a deal with Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) that will allow them to govern Britain after losing their majority in a general election earlier this month.

    The Conservatives have 317 seats in the 650-seat parliament after the June 8 election and need the support of the DUP’s 10 members of parliament to be able to govern.

    “An agreement has been signed,” the UK prime minister’s spokesperson told AFP news agency.

    Arlene Foster, the head of the DUP, said she was “delighted” that a deal had been struck, and that the details of the deal will be published later.

    Discussions between the two began immediately after the election and centred on a “confidence and supply” deal in which the DUP would support the government in any confidence votes and to pass budgets.

    Foster’s party wants tangible benefits for Northern Ireland in terms of jobs and investment in order to offer its support.

    Al Jazeera’s Neave Barker said that under the agreement, Northern Ireland will receive a $1.3bn fiscal package.

    “This will go on everything from hospitals to roads but also to shoring up their position in northern Irish politics,” he said.

    “This will not be an easy journey for May or for this conservative government. They will be under scrutiny from start to finish.”

    DUP leaders had previously said that an agreement with the Conservatives will offer stable British government.

    But critics, including some members of the Conservatives, had objected to any kind of alliance with the DUP because of some of its views, including opposition to same-sex marriage and abortion.

    Some of its representatives have also been criticised in the past for homophobic comments, climate-change-denial statements and sectarian rhetoric.

    Enda Kenny, Ireland’s former prime minister, has cautioned that a deal with the Protestant and pro-British DUP could upset Northern Ireland’s fragile peace.

    However, May, in a statement shortly after the agreement was signed, said that the DUP will back the British government on all Brexit and national security legislation.

    “The DUP will support the Conservative government on votes on the queen’s speech, the budget, and legislation relating to Brexit and national security,” she said.

    “The agreement makes clear that we remain steadfast to our commitments as set out in the Belfast Agreement and its successors, and in governing in the interests of all parts of the community in Northern Ireland.”

    May shakes hands with DUP's Foster outside 10 Downing Street in central London

    Source:Al Jazeera

  • South Africa church locks out black pair

    {South Africa’s Afrikaanse Protestante Kerk church in Orania Sunday barred two black journalists from attending a service.}

    An official told the journalists “the church is only for whites”.

    Orania is an Afrikaans-only South African town located along the banks of the Orange River, in the arid Karoo region of the Northern Cape Province.

    The journalists were on an assignment and decided to attend a Sunday service before returning to Pretoria. They were intercepted by a church leader, identified as Mr Theunis Oukamp, at the door.

    Mr Oukamp said allowing black people into an all-white church would be violating the “rights of Afrikaans people”.

    {{Protect the rights}}

    “I am now in a difficult situation. You know that Orania is only for white people, this is why we are here. You must understand I know you want to serve God and everything but I have to protect the rights of Afrikaans people. So I cannot let you in, you guys can go to any other church, but this one is only for white people,” Mr Oukamp said.

    Mr Langton Ndlovu, a Christian, described the move as ‘diabolical’.

    “This is demonic, in this day and age, I never thought this was real. That’s unacceptable. I wonder how they read the scripture that says “there is neither Greek nor Jew” but we’re one in Christ,” said Mr Ndlovu.

    The president of the South Africa Union Council of Independent Churches, Archbishop Modiri Patrick Shole, expressed shock that there was still segregation in the body of Christ, 23 years after apartheid ended.

    {{Have discrimination}}

    “We don’t discriminate in church because before God we are one – whether white or black. I find it weird that we still have discrimination in the church,” he said.
    A member of the church, Mr Sarel Roets, slammed Mr Oukamp saying turning away black people from church was “not the Christian way”.

    “I’m very upset that my church did this, it’s not right. I’ve already sent the Reverend a message. From me, I’m sorry, it’s completely unacceptable. We still have problems in Orania, this is one of the problems,” he said.

    The church’s spokesperson, Mr James Kemp, said the leader acted out of line with the church’s policy. He said an internal process would take place.

    “The sensitivity of the Orania church is that over the last few years they have had six journalists visiting the congregation and it had a negative impact in the media. It was mainly European publications,” Mr Kemp said.

    {{Afrikaans culture}}

    He added that there was a need to educate congregants on how visitors should be treated.

    Orania Movement leader Carel Boshoff Junior, said there were still people who were in the small town for the “wrong reasons”.

    Mr Boshoff’s father was pioneer to the idea of an independent Afrikaner homeland to preserve the Afrikaans culture.

    “I’ve heard about the incident and I am disappointed, it is contrary to our policy. It’s not the church’s policy, neither is it an Orania policy, but it is an individual that decided to act in that manner,” Mr Boshoff Junior said.

    The Afrikaanse Protestante Kerk church in Orania in the Orange River in South Africa's Northern Cape Province. Two black journalists were barred from attending service in the church on June 25, 2017.

    Source:The East African

  • US raises concern on future deals with EAC

    {The United States has raised concerns that future trade and investment deals with East African countries based on a continent-wide free trade agreement may be unrealistic due to their diverse interests.}

    According to Washington, the differences could lead to a lowest common denominator agreement and consensus on the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) would be difficult.

    Last year, the EAC told the US that, in order to increase trade and investment between the two parties, the general outlook of post-Agoa should take on a development dimension based on trade facilitation and investment promotion as well as address supply constraints and improve the business environment in the region.

    “Future agreements with the US, post-Agoa, should be discussed at the continental level in line with the African Regional Integration Agenda,” said Beyond African Growth and Opportunity Act, a report of the meeting of the Sectoral Council on Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment held on June 2 in Arusha.

    “Special and differential treatment should be factored into any trade and investment agreement post Agoa, as well as development support, in order to enhance EAC capacity to trade with the US. Therefore, there may be a need to qualify reciprocity that would take into account the asymmetrical nature of the economies involved.”

    According to the EAC, although policy reforms can have a positive impact on the private sector and influence the global competitiveness of the region’s firms, future trade relations should not be made conditional on these reforms.

    Such agreements should focus on trade development and promotion.

    The US noted that the issues mentioned by the EAC are being addressed in the context of the current trade and investment partnership, and that there was a need to consider other areas that could serve as potential building blocks to deepen future trade relations.

    The EAC Agoa work-plan is ready, and it estimated that it will cost $102 million to implement.

    The priority areas for the EAC-Agoa strategy are to increase production and export of tradeable products, diversify products exported to the US from the EAC, intensify value addition, and promote and attract investment capital.

    {{Visa concerns}}

    The EAC had also raised concerns about the issuance of visas to the US to business operators in the region. The region’s private sector claims that issuance of visas sometimes takes up to one year.

    The US said that its visa policies vary in EAC countries, based on reciprocity, and said it was willing to discuss the issue further.

    On the sanitary and phytosanitary requirements (SPS), concerns were raised by the Kenyan National Plant Protection Organisation about the lack of conclusive communication from the US Animal and Plant Health Inspectorate Service office.

    Kenya had started a pest risk analysis for avocado with the intention of exporting the fruit. On possible areas of collaboration, the report noted that in addition to cold chain development within the region, investors could pursue possible establishment of cold treatment plants, especially for avocados. This would ensure avocados from the region are able to satisfy the SPS requirement of the US market.

    Boxes of avocados. Kenya plans to start exporting the fruit to the US.

    Source:The East African