Regional assembly defers business indefinitely over cash crisis

By Bertha Mollel

The East African Legislative Assembly (Eala) has indefinitely postponed its sessions due to lack of money as the bloc continues to experience funding drought blamed on the failure by some partner states to remit their mandatory contributions.

A statement issued on February 7 by Eala communications officer Nicodemus Ajak Bior says the decision was arrived at during a meeting of the Eala commission and committee chairpersons held on February 6.

"This decision, which affects activities scheduled from January to June, was made after an assessment of the Assembly's financial situation… The postponement of these activities has been prompted by financial constraints that have hindered the execution of the Assembly's legislative and oversight duties," the statement said.

As a result, Eala Speaker Joseph Ntakarutimana has initiated discussions with the chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers Beatrice Askul Moe and EAC Secretary-General Veronica Nduva to push member states with outstanding contributions to remit their payments promptly in order to facilitate the resumption of activities.

Mr Ntakarutimana said that the situation would be reviewed within the next three weeks, with expectations that the financial issue will be promptly resolved.

The EAC agencies and organs have been grappling with budget constraints as some members continue to withhold their remittances.

According to Eala data, by November 8, 2024, the partners owed $76,222,264 in outstanding remittances, with the biggest defaulter being Democratic Republic of Congo, owing $20,711,995. Burundi owed $17,093,131, South Sudan $15,618,002, Somalia $7,007,747, Tanzania $7,130,441, Rwanda $5,257,844 and Uganda $3,403,104.

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Only Kenya was fully paid up. The EastAfrican could not immediately confirm if any of the countries had updated their records.

“We are hopeful that the ongoing consultations will yield positive results, allowing the Assembly to resume its critical functions once feasible,” Eala said.