Arusha — The five presidents of the East African Community, comprising Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi, yesterday agreed to have the protocol on the common market signed before the end of this year.

"The summit considered the report on the progress of the EAC Common Market negotiations and took note of the advanced stage the negotiations have reached," read a statement, released yesterday at the end of the East African Community summit in Arusha.

"The summit directed that the process towards finalisation of annexes as well as the sections on scope and common tariff policies be finalised soonest to enable the protocol to be signed in November 2009."

Acknowledging the sovereignty of each member state, the presidents resolved that the protocol should not contain provisions that can override national policies and laws, particularly in relation to land ownership.

"The granting of related rights to access to land and establishment should not be automatic but should lay a basis for eligibility," the statement said.

This broke the impasse on the widely contested issue whether permanent residents have a right to land in the countries of the EAC.

Tanzanian president Jakaya Kikwete, in particular, had insisted that national governments should decide on land ownership. All land in Tanzania is public land.

They also disagreed on the use of regional identity cards but left it to individual member states to make bilateral deals.

"The use of identity cards shall not constitute an acceptable form of travel document on EAC-wide basis," the communiqué said.

"However, partner states that are ready to use identity cards as a travel document on a bilateral basis can proceed."

However, the heads of state maintained that the protocol should ensure full protection of cross-border investments of East Africans.

The common market issues were tackled simultaneously with the modification of the Customs Union.

The summit approved an amendment of the EAC rules of origin. It also approved amending the protocol allowing for Rwanda and Burundi to nominate three members each on the committee on trade remedies.

On the establishment of a political federation, the summit assessed the findings of the national consultative process in Rwanda and Burundi.

"They have noted with appreciation that the people of the two new partner states have indicated support for the process (fast-tracking the political federation)," the release said.

The East African heads of state also extended a vote of thanks to South Africa's ruling ANC on its election victory and reaffirmed solidarity and continued co-operation with the Pretoria establishment.

Meanwhile, in a rare show of unity, the five Presidents put aside their privileges and drove in one car to Lengijave, a remote village near the Kenya-Tanzania border, to unveil a new link between the two countries on Monday evening.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame cut the tape that marked the official opening of the Arusha-Namanga-Athi River Road Construction Project in a colourful ceremony that will be remembered for decades by those present.

Kagame reminded the members that the occasion signified an important milestone in regional integration.

"There is urgent need to modernise the sections of roads and railways and revamp the facilities of telecommunication and the aviation system to improve the productivity within the region" noted Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki.

He also observed that there was need to develop a clear framework for private sector participation, which should spell out the roles of the private and public sector in the construction of roads, railways and airways.