EAC CALLS OFF STAFF RECRUITMENT INTERVIEWS

The East African Community (EAC) has called off interviews for the shortlisted candidates for the vacant posts.

The interviews were to commence on Monday this week at the ministries responsible for the EAC Affairs at the partner states' capitals. 

A short statement released on Tuesday  by the Arusha-base secretariat did not give reasons for the postponement.

"The interviews have been postponed to a later date that will be communicated accordingly", the statement said.

Initially, the exercise was planned to commence on Monday last week (October 18th), extending to November 2nd this year.

The EAC secretariat, which is the executive arm of the Community, initiated the recruitment process to fill up the vacant positions in May this year. 

The vacant positions in the EAC organs and institutions were to be filled through competitive recruitment. 

More than 15,000 applications were received from all the six partner states; Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda and South Sudan. 

All arrangements for the 311 shortlisted candidates from the six countries to be interviewed through a video conference. 

"The interviews could not commence as scheduled due to quorum", the statement sent to media houses pointed out without details. 

Senior officials of the secretariat contancted distanced themselves from any speculation on the reasons for the cancellation.

However, it has come at a time some countries have raised complaints on the matter, wanting the recruitment to start afresh.

Last week, Uganda through its MPs to the East African Legislative Assembly (Eala) called for a halt to the recruitment process. 

The Ugandans had fronted their national for the post of Clerk of Eala who is not likely to win after coming second to a Tanzanian during an interview.

Other countries are reported to have some reservations, alleging that Tanzania and Kenya had been favoured because they had more short-listed candidates. 

In all, 84 Tanzanian nationals had been shortlisted for the vacant positions at the EAC out of a total of 311 cleared for  the interviews. 

Reports had it that the EAC Council of Ministers - the policy arm of the Community - would meet soon to agree on fast-tracking the recruitment process.

However, the issue of the vacant position of Clerk of Eala remains cloudy following a Motion by Uganda MPs to protest against the Tanzanian candidate.

The Tanzanian, Saidi Othman Yakub, had scored higher in an interview, receiving 193 marks against 180 marks obtained by Alex Lumumba Obatre of Uganda during an interview held 27-28th September.

This is, according to minutes of the panel which interviewed the candidates at the EAC headquarters and made up of officials from the partner states.

It was agreed after the interview that since Mr. Yakub scored higher, he  should be considered for the position.

However, in very unclear circumstances the tables were later turned down in favour of the Ugandan candidate in what Tanzanian officials allege was through doctoring of the marks.

Eala, currently holding its sessions in Arusha, was to debate the saga from 2;30 pm yesterday but by 4:20 pm the House had not reconvened.