The East African Community (EAC) has officially commenced national consultations in Rwanda on the drafting of a Constitution for the proposed EAC Political Confederation.
The commencement marks another milestone in the region's long-running journey towards deeper political integration.
The consultations have been launched in Kigali, bringing together government officials, policymakers, civil society actors, academia, the private sector and other stakeholders.
The stakeholders are expected to contribute views on the proposed governance framework that could shape the future of the eight-member regional bloc.
Launching the consultations, Rwanda’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Usta Kayitesi, reaffirmed the country's commitment to regional integration and noted the importance of citizen participation in the constitution-making process.
“Rwanda’s commitment is grounded in the understanding that many of the region’s opportunities and challenges require collective action, noting that cooperation offers a stronger foundation for progress than working in isolation,” she said.
Dr. Kayitesi urged Rwandans to openly share their views, aspirations and expectations regarding the proposed Political Confederation.
She emphasised that public participation would be critical in shaping a constitutional framework that reflects the interests of East Africans.
The consultations are being spearheaded by the EAC Secretariat in collaboration with the Government of Rwanda and form part of a wider regional exercise aimed at gathering citizens’ views on the proposed Political Confederation, which is envisioned as a transitional stage towards a future East African Political Federation.
Speaking at the launch, EAC Secretary General Amb. Stephen P. Mbundi said the consultations would engage a broad range of stakeholders to ensure Rwanda's perspectives are adequately 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 stakeholder engagement exercise will continue in Rubavu, Huye and Nyagatare before concluding on June 27.
Participants are expected to deliberate on governance structures, institutional arrangements, rights and responsibilities of citizens, and other key constitutional issues that could define the future political architecture of the Community.
The launch follows an announcement by the EAC Secretariat last week outlining plans to resume national consultations in Rwanda after similar engagements in other Partner States.
According to the Secretariat, the exercise seeks to ensure that the proposed Constitution reflects the aspirations and expectations of East Africans while strengthening public ownership of the integration process.
Ahead of the consultations, EAC Deputy Secretary General for Infrastructure, Productive, Social and Political Sectors Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth said the engagements are intended to create awareness about the Constitution-making process and provide citizens with an opportunity to directly contribute to the region's political future.
The consultations are being conducted by constitutional experts nominated by EAC Partner States and are expected to engage a wide range of groups, including parliamentarians, members of the judiciary, civil society organisations, youth, women, persons with disabilities, religious leaders, media practitioners and political parties.
The EAC has consistently maintained that broad public participation will be central to developing a people-centred Constitution capable of guiding the establishment of the Political Confederation and advancing the East African integration agenda.