CILAO Calls for Peaceful Protests Over Unpaid EAC   Contributions

The Civil and Legal Aid Organization (CILAO), operating out of Arusha, has reiterated its call for peaceful protests, urging East African Community (EAC) member states to pay their contributions to the EAC.

CILAO now intends to appeal and lodge a formal complaint with Tanzania's Minister of Local Government regarding the prohibition of their peaceful protests without official notice by the Arusha District Commissioner, Felician Mtahengerwa, and the local police.

Odero Charles Odero, Director of the Civil and Legal Aid Organization (CILAO), highlighted that due to delays in the annual contributions to the EAC Secretariat in Arusha, EAC institutions have failed to perform their duties effectively.

According to Odero, the East African Court of Justice (EACJ), for example, has been forced to suspend its operations since June 2024 due to a lack of funds.

"The East African Court of Justice is an institution whose functions directly impact ordinary East Africans, and the idea of halting its operations has significant repercussions for people across all eight EAC member states," said Odero.

Reports from the East African Court of Justice indicate that at least 200 legal matters scheduled for June 2024 have been affected by the temporary suspension due to financial constraints.

The East African Community currently comprises eight member states, including the original members Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, along with others such as Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the recent additions of DR Congo and Somalia.

It is also uncertain whether the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), another EAC institution, which is about to meet for its annual budget sessions, will also be affected by the financial crisis facing the East African Community.

Earlier, officials from the Civil and Legal Aid Organization (CILAO) wrote to the Arusha District Police informing them about their planned protests, but the response was negative. It appears the city police do not want to see these protests take place.

"We were surprised and frustrated when our request for permission to hold peaceful protests from Sakina to the East African Community Headquarters in Sekei was denied by the local police, who stated in their recent communication that the planned routes would disrupt the busy roads cutting through the city," said Odero.