The East African Community (EAC) has concluded national consultations in Rwanda on the drafting of a constitution for the proposed East African Political Confederation.
The two-week consultations were held in Kigali, Huye, Nyagatare and Rubavu. They brought together officials from government institutions, Parliament, the judiciary, academia, the private sector and civil society. Youth groups, women’s organizations, persons with disabilities, faith-based groups, political parties and media representatives also took part.
The process is aimed at collecting views to guide the drafting of the proposed constitutional framework.
EAC Constitutional Experts also met with President Paul Kagame during the visit. Kagame reaffirmed Rwanda’s support for regional integration.
He said East Africans continue to show strong backing for deeper integration. He urged the experts to produce practical recommendations that can advance the process.
He also called for solutions to challenges affecting regional integration.
The EAC team said the consultations produced wide-ranging input.
Former Ugandan Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki, who chairs the EAC Constitutional Experts team, said the Rwanda meetings were productive.
He said the views collected will help shape the draft constitution.
Odoki said the team will compile reports after completing consultations in all partner states. The reports will capture stakeholder views and recommendations. They will be submitted through EAC structures for consideration by heads of state.
EAC Deputy Secretary General Aguer Ariik Malueth thanked Rwanda for its participation. He said the EAC remains committed to completing consultations across the region.
He said the process is inclusive and designed to reflect the priorities of East Africans.
The East African Political Confederation is planned as a transitional step toward a full political federation. It is the fourth pillar of EAC integration. It follows the customs union, common market and monetary union.
