Kampala — A referendum on the East African political federation may not take place in 2009 as had been planned. A committee led by Kenyan Attorney General Amos Wako, consulted East Africans and had recommended that a referendum be held in September 2009 to decide on a federal President and Parliament by 2013.

But the East African Community Deputy Secretary General in charge of fast-tracking of the political federation Beatrice Kiraaso told The New Vision that the activities were behind schedule.

"We may have to revisit the time frame because the dates were set in 2004 and no work was done until last year," she stated.

According to the Wako report, the East African federation would be launched in 2010 with the presidents holding rotational presidency and the first elections for a new federal president and Parliament would take place between January and March 2013.

The three countries to be joined Rwanda and Burundi today are currently carrying out nationwide consultative meetings seeking views on the fast-tracking of the political federation.

Kiraaso said the countries are supposed to hand in their final reports by end of June. "We shall analyse the reports and come up with one for the special summit in July or August and see how we are going to move," explained Kiraaso. The new timetable will include Burundi and Rwanda, which join the East African Community today.

"We may have to move towards having a draft constitution, which will address the concerns raised during the national consultations," she said. Most East Africans backed integration but have expressed fears about political integration. The objectives of the EAC treaty are: putting in place a customs union, common market, a monetary union and then ultimately a political federation.

The Customs Union protocol has already been signed. In 2004, the Heads of State met in Nairobi and recommended the fast-tracking of the political federation.