TZ CSOs to lead others in participating in EA integration process

ARUSHA: TANZANIAN Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have committed to actively participating in the East African Community (EAC) integration process.

This commitment was made during the CSOs Week in Arusha recently where a major forum was held to discuss strategies for more CSO engagement in the EAC integration.

The forum brought together a diverse group of stakeholders to deliberate on how national and regional policy and legislative frameworks could be improved to better integrate Tanzanian CSOs into the EAC’s framework.

The high turnout underscored the rising public interest in EAC affairs and regional integration.

Executive Director of TANGO, Mr Adams Nsimba, underscored Tanzania’s special role as the host of the EAC headquarters.

“We at TANGO are committed to making sure that Tanzanian civil society voices are not only heard but also actively included in the regional dialogue,” Nsimba stated.

He emphasised the importance of transparency, public consultation and respect for citizen input and pledged to collaborate with government ministries to address the concerns raised by CSOs.

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Principal Gender and Community Development and Stakeholder Engagement Officer at the EAC Secretariat, Ms Generose Minani, highlighted the critical role of national dialogues and applauded Tanzanian CSOs for initiating these important discussions.

“These dialogues are essential for ensuring that EAC integration is truly reflective of the people’s needs and perspectives,” Ms Minani said.

She encouraged CSOs to utilise various forums, including the forthcoming Secretary General’s forum, to relay public concerns to the EAC Secretariat.

Executive Director of the East Africa Law Society, Mr David Sigano, emphasised the need for structured engagement channels for citizens at all levels within the EAC.

He advocated for a formal consultative dialogue framework that includes private sector and civil society inputs to enhance the integration process.

Mr Sigano also supported the creation of a model law by CSOs to measure and ensure effective citizen engagement.

Executive Director of the East African Civil Society Organisation Forum (EACSOF), Ms Lilian Alex, expressed enthusiasm about the increasing involvement of CSOs in regional integration efforts.

She highlighted the importance of raising awareness and fostering collaboration among CSOs to support the EAC’s objectives.

Executive Director of the East Africa Health Platform (EHP), Ms Jonnia Mollel, called for the mutual recognition of professionals across the EAC as a key factor in accelerating regional integration.

Her statement emphasised the practical steps needed to facilitate smoother professional mobility within the region.

Lastly, Component Lead for Organisation Development and Outreach at GIZ- EAC, Mr Marius Weist, spoke about the organisation’s ongoing support for EAC integration, particularly through legislative and policy framework enhancements.

He noted that the LIFTED project, aimed at fostering CSOled innovations, is currently open for applications, further supporting the initiative.

The collective actions of Tanzanian CSOs signal a robust commitment to ensuring that the EAC integration process remains inclusive, transparent and representative of all voices in the region.