EALA Insists On Free Movement for East African Community Nationals

The East African Community’s Legislative Assembly (EALA) has condemned member countries for being unable to stick to the deadline date of 31st December 2015. This would have enabled the nationals of the East African Community to obtain complete freedom to move without limitation across the different national borders in the East African community.
Some of the achievements of the countries in what was later on referred to as the ‘Northern Corridor Integration Project’ (NCIP), was the introduction of a common tourist-Visa to mainly promote cross border movement by foreign tourists as well as the launch of using the national Identification cards which will not require citizens to have a passport to travel across the community. Retirees within the 3 countries, given that they are properly registered and have a residency or even work permit, can as well travel to any of the 3 countries using an Inter-state Pass, thus not necessitating them to pay any Visa fees again.
in its most recent meeting, EALA has now drawn 5 member countries to wrap loose ends as well as put into action the necessary changes and a number of concerns brought up with EALA by the citizens of member countries plus employers’ associations, as well as requirements for residence permits in conformity with the Protocol on Freedom of Movement that was signed back in 2010.
So Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda have put in place a number of measures like removing work permit fees plus requirements for the citizens in the 3 countries, as Tanzania follows
Tanzania’s new government which replaced the very slow regime of former president Kikwete has to date not given any clear indicator to where they stand on this. The current Tanzania President – Magufuli in his recent responses to the country’s intention to replace all foreign employees was received with dismay by other EAC countries however no official clarifications have been given. Today everyone is focusing on the East African Community Head of State Summit scheduled this February, when the community will as well elect a new union-president as well as name a new Secretary-General.
The Free movement is believed to promote tourism among the member countries and generate more income through hotels and transport, as it already seems successful in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda where border crossing sing National IDs among the citizens has increased greatly.
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