The 4th East African Legislative Assembly was fully constituted after the election of Rwanda’s Representative Martin Ngoga as Speaker of the Assembly. “I now call upon Hon. Ngoga Martin to move forward to the podium here.” Ngoga, a former Prosecutor General of the Republic of Rwanda was sworn in as the Speaker of the 4th Assembly. “I Ngoga Kalori Martin.” Ngoga took over from Dan Fred Kidega whose term ended in June this year. Ngoga’s election to the highest office of the Assembly was conducted amidst a protest from Burundi and Tanzania who boycotted the proceedings to elect the Speaker. “With the absence of one or two partner states then let’s say that business is proceeding as a collaboration of those partner states.”
When the Assembly’s Clerk Kenneth Madete convened the House, the debate ensued and members present decided to go ahead with the elections without the representatives from Tanzania and Burundi. “There’s an issue raised by the Republic of Burundi which requires further guidance.” “I am surprised as to why this mysterious disappearance is happening. So the Clerk let me appeal to the spirit of Integration.”
Uganda’s Minister for East African Affairs who also was the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers Julius Maganda had earlier informed the House that President Yoweri Museveni the Head of Summit Heads of State had suggested that the matter is forwarded to the Summit if the Assembly members failed to agree on the election of the Speaker. “And that what the Chair Summit told me at 4 am. He said that in the instance that the House is not moving, I request the Clerk to refer the matter to the Summit for consultation and advice. He also told me that we shouldn’t leave out on how the assumption of the top offices is done here.”
“But what is important as the Chairperson of the Council has put it; is to give this process a chance.” “I don’t think it is a good idea to start with a divided Summit.” This angered the new elected members who accused the Council of Ministers of usurping the powers of the Assembly. “Interpretations were done to the rules and also by the provisions of the treaty and we have legally elected him in accordance with the treaty.” “So even when members of the Summit and for me, any reference to Presidents well, well as we are in the Assembly here, it is itself criminal because Presidents are only allowed here on our own admission.”
Burundian Minister for East African Affairs Izabel Nahayo and Tanzania Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Affairs Suzan Kolimba stormed out of the Chambers after the Clerk agreed with the members to proceed with the election. The elections were conducted in the first round and Martin Ngoga pooled 35 votes out of 36 votes cast. Diontini got 1 vote Adam Kimbisa of Tanzania got no vote. However, the rules stipulated that Ngoga had to win with at least 36 votes then the election went into a second round in which the winner only required a simple majority. Ngoga emerged winner with 33 votes, Burundi and Tanzania threatened to take their grievances to the East African Court of Justice. “The objects of which the East African Court of Justice was established is to be able to harmoniously resolve any contradiction. And clearly for us lawyers it is a forum for resolution of conflicts.”
A battle line for the position of the Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly was drawn, Martin Ngoga from Rwanda was elected as Speaker against controversy.
