The East African (Nairobi)

East Africa: At Last, Common Market Becomes Reality

Nairobi — The East African Community officially ushered in a common market on Friday amid renewed commitment by the region's Heads of State to expedite the envisaged political federation by 2015.

The Common Market Protocol was finally signed in Arusha, Tanzania, bringing to an end months of waiting and anxiety.

Contentious issues nearly derailed the negotiations and the signing was pushed to this month from April.

At a colourful ceremony to mark the bloc's 10th anniversary which coincided with the bloc's Common Market deal, the chair of the EAC Council of Ministers, Monique Mukaruliza, urged partner states to expedite its ratification at national level by the scheduled July 1, 2010 date.

Presidents Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Mwai Kibaki (Kenya), Yoweri Museveni (Uganda), Pierre Nkurunziza (Burundi), Jakaya Kikwete (Tanzania) and Abeid Amani Karume (Zanzibar) nodded as Ms Mukaruliza said the ball was now in the nations' court.

She said Rwanda was the only country in the region with a fast ratification policy, with Tanzania taking the longest time, of four months.

Despite the disparities, she said, the EAC ministers had agreed to work closely with the respective countries to push the necessary ratifications within the shortest time.

Small price to pay

Also present were the regional integration's forums and officials such as attorneys-general, trade ministers, chief justices, permanent secretaries, and EAC ministers and their deputies.

The coming into force of both the East African Customs Union and the Common Market will lead to a short-term loss of revenue as countries remove internal taxes and harmonise external duties as per the Common External Tariff guidelines.

The expected loss is estimated to run into millions of dollars.

Rwanda, the only country that has done a full assessment, is looking at a loss of $12 million, but its EAC Permanent Secretary, Robert Ssali, said it is a small price to pay for the expected benefits.

At the ceremony, President Kagame handed over the Summit chair to President Kikwete.

EAC secretary-general Juma Mwapachu had earlier told The EastAfrican that, in the regionalisation and globalisation era, no country can be on its own.

Protocol a major milestone

President Kagame said the protocol was a major milestone for the EAC and attested to its shedding of colonial boundaries and individualism and embracing of globalisation.

The Heads of State gave a deadline of six months for a detailed report on the timelines of the federation, and a Committee of Experts is to be formed immediately.

Also being fast-tracked is a grand free trade area from Cape Town to Cairo, bringing together the EAC, the Common Market for East and Southern Africa, and the South African Development Commission that will remove trade borders among 26 African countries.

A conference in March will fine-tune the document, to be signed by the presidents in April and become operational in December 2010.


Copyright © 2009 The East African. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.

AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 130 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.

Comments 1 to 3 of 3 Post a comment

  • upliftdarace_144
    Nov 24 2009, 09:47

    [Daniel 11:14 ]] And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south(AMERICA / BABYLON ): ALSO the ROBBERS OF OUR PEOPLE shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; BUT THEY SHALL FALL !

    John 10:10

    The thief (D-Evil) comes to steal,kill, and to destroy: I (Jesus Christ) have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

    [Daniel 11:14 ]] And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south(AMERICA / BABYLON ): ALSO the ROBBERS OF OUR PEOPLE shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; BUT THEY SHALL FALL !

    INFERIORITY = UNEQUAL EXCHANGE ANY KIND OF EXCHANGE MUST BE AS EQUALS

    Currency Exchange is designed to puff up certain peoples and nations over others. The numbers are constantly telling some that they are inferior to others. The problem intensifies when those being manipulated by this financial scam buy in to this wicked scheme.

    What’s the solution to INFERIORITY CURRENCY EXCHANGE ? Stop giving away our souls one piece of money ( dollar , pound, franc, rand, deniro, rupal, euro, Chinese renminbi, rupee, Russian ruble,etc..) at-a-time .

    Do research on what price your product gets in the so-called First World countries. And demand that price. This will not work unless people at the local areas do this together. Form Co-Ops and agree to charge the prices you deserve.

    2) INFERIORITY = Pay by Time

    There is another system used to oppress people that feeds the business owners with a lust for MORE profit. One year they may have profits of 50%, the next year they may have profits of 100%, the next year their profits may only be 75%. The system in the world will consider that going from 100% profits to 75% profits is bad for business.

    How is that bad ? Profits are profits ! Many businesses have different levels of pay for the same workers.; levels such as :

    a) Top Salaries – Private and only known to each individual workers b) Medium Salaries – Private “ “ “ “ c) Lower Salaries – Private and only known to each individual workers d) High Hourly Wages e) Medium Hourly Wages f) Minimum Hourly Wages

    I suggest that EVERY WORKER SHOULD BE PAID A LIVING WAGE. The Minimum Wage is like a financial ball and chain ; only giving those receiving it just enough to live to see the next day.

    The Living Wage allows workers to live, invest, spend, save, and thrive. We can dream about having our own businesses , then wake up and attain our dreams. This is great for the businesses that pay Living Wages. For this creates new customers and new generations of customers.

    As long as the system of Living Wages is in place, there will be a thriving economy and a blooming world full of optimistic activities. But it will only happen when business owners see the benefit of paying more pennies to make more dollars ! Which of you business owners will have the insight, recognition, roots, understanding, initiative, moxy, & compassion to make the step most are afraid to make.

    John 10:10

    The thief (D-Evil) comes to steal,kill, and to destroy: I (Jesus Christ) have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

    [Daniel 11:14 ]] And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south(AMERICA / BABYLON ): ALSO the ROBBERS OF OUR PEOPLE shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; BUT THEY SHALL FALL !

    INFERIORITY = UNEQUAL EXCHANGE ANY KIND OF EXCHANGE MUST BE AS EQUALS

    THE TRUTH ABOUT DIAMONDS –

    Did You Know That The Robbers Have Warehouses Full Of 55 Gallon Drums Each Full Of Raw Uncut Diamonds ?

    The Wicked Are Using The Same Schemes On Us. : 1) They Hoard Riches ; Controlling The Supply So We’ll Think The Supply Is Low 2) This Scheme Helps Them To Get A Higher Price & Deceives Most Of Us Into Believing That Things ( Such As Diamonds, Gold, Oil, Etc..) Are In Short Supply & Even Due To Run Out.

    Diamonds Are In Abundance And Their Supply Is Being Controlled By Persons Under The Control Of Spiritual Wickedness In High Places (Ephesians 6:12) .

    We Saints Serve An Infinite God, What He Placed Here On This Earth For His Children Is Also Infinite. When You See A Volcano Or Magma ; The Liquid Land Flowing Out Of Volcanos, Think Of Growth. The Earth Is Steady Growing.

    Once God Settles Things With The Rightreous & Un-Righteous . [Definition – Righteous Means The Desire To Do Right ]

    Diamonds Are In Abundance And Their Supply Is Being Controlled By Persons Under The Control Of Spiritual Wickedness In High Places (Ephesians 6:12) . [http://janineroberts.org/]

    1. The Bakken Oil Field Find

    2. 55 gallon drums fulls of unprocessed diamonds.

    * These are just a few of the suppressed world riches this beautiful world created by God (Jehovah, Father of Jesus Christ)..

    3. Minister Lindsey Williams has known for 30 years of a major oil find in Alaska.

    * He says that he sat in on meetings of the rich and powerful. These men decided not to use this oil to help America.

    * Beware Africans, the wolves of deception are always around riches.

    * Hosea said we perish for two reasons. Most people only remember one reason why we perish.

    - Hosea said MY PEOPLE PERISH FOR LACK OF KNOWLEDGE

    - AND…because they REJECT KNOWLEDGE

    - In other words, they DON’T KNOW & THEY DON’T WANT TO KNOW !!!!

    4. For those who want to know I suggest you guys who can get the Internet do these things :

    a) Listen to broadcasts like : Alex Jones (Infowars), Derry Brownfield, The Power Hour

    (Joyce & Dave), Jeff Rense, and other broadcasts on the Genesis Communications Network.

    b) Here’s an appetizer of information on the subjects I have just written on :

    • Do a search use IX Quick search engine .They don’t record your computer’s address ; protect your privacy [ http://ixquick.com/]

    • Here are three(s) separate subjects that I mentioned that you can search for

    (i) – Bakken Oil Field Find

    (ii) – Lindsey Williams (YouTube videos)

    (iii) – Janine Roberts :Glitter & Greed : The Secret World of The Diamond Cartel

    ANOTHER SUGGESTION IS FOR THOSE LIVING IN THE CITY TO POOL THEIR RESOURCES TOGETHER AND MAKE NEIGHBORHOOD COOP GREENHOUSES . HERE YOU CAN GROW SOME KIND OF FOODS AND NOT BE TOTALLY DEPENDENT ON GROCERY STORES.

    Our only enemies are in Hell , waiting for their life-sentence of damnation.

    You are in my prayers. Pray for each other too

    Have Faith in God and Love for each other. May The Lord God Bless You real good

    The Swine Flu Vaccination Hoax - Explained URL – [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbFxV_C8Yw4 ]

    [Check Out :

    3) Who Brought The Slaves To America ? URL = [ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuzhnKy63io ] Or [http://wideeyecinema.com/?p=911]

    WAKE UP !!! STAY UP !!!

    [ www.libradio.net ]

    [http://www.infowars.com/infowars.asx ]

    [ gcnlive.com ]

    Life Is A Game. Have Fun . Luke 18:17 - Isaiah 11:6

  • upliftdarace_144
    Nov 24 2009, 09:47

    INDEPENDENT FARMERS’ UNION IDEA

    I'm an entrepreneurial sort of person and I got an idea along those lines that I believe many of us who are grassroots thinkers have been overlooking.

    So here goes my idea :

    a) We have all kinds of Farmers and Farms that are struggling to make a profit. I believe that they are struggling because they are farming under a kind of Third World system that advantages the persons who convert what farmers produce.

    b) In most Third World countries , the First & Second World countries will only build enough infrastructure to allow shipment of RAW MATERIALS from their source(s) to the modes of shipping transportation used to transport the RAW MATERIALS to those First & Second World countries that will turn the RAW MATERIALS into processed goods.

    * For example - They will build a railroad line of tracks from some Third World country's gold and diamond mines ( e.g. Zaire ) to the Giant Ships docked and waiting to carry them to processors and sellers such as De Beers, Coca-Cola , Cadbury's etc..

    c) What kinds of RAW MATERIALS do Farmers produce and/or have access to :

    * Gold - Rice , Cocoa ,Mangos, etc…

    d) Major Problems stopping small farmers from taking advantage of the possibility of turning your products into a profitable business : LACK OF TIME

    e) Solution - My Idea : Form an Independent Union Of Farmers . Having a Coop is great, but it’s only a way of further enriching the processors of our RAW MATERIALS.

    * How would this work ?

    1) Each Region would represent a chapter of this Independent Farmers Union

    2) Generally speaking, each farmer would retain all of their rights ; just as they had before they joined the Independent Farmers Union .

    3) The Independent Farmers Union would be finance collectively by individual members paying dues.

    4) These dues which would be used to set-up business ventures in each Independent Farmers Union's Region.

    Some Examples Of Businesses That could be set up

    * Chicken Processing Plant, and restaurants that would sell the chickens could be supplied right their in each Independent Farmers Union's Region.

    * Produce Markets

    * Dairies

    * Ice Cream Parlors (using fresh milk)

    * Fast Food and/or Restaurants - featuring meat from various farm animals

    * Supermarkets

    * Chocolate Processors – instead of giving your cocoa to companies like Cadbury’s. What do companies like DeBeers, Coca Cola,Cadbury’s and others have that entitles them to get rich off of our Natural wealth ? NOTHING.. We empower them by our economic laziness !!!

    5) The Independent Farmers Union's would need persons with expertise in areas concerning the setting up and running of these businesses on behalf of the Independent Farmers Union's.

    WE ARE MAKING HUNDREDS WHILE GIVING AWAY BILLIONS TO OUR ECONOMIC SLAVE MASTERS !!!

    THERE IS NO REASON WHY WE CAN'T TAKE CONTROL OF OUR OWN COUNTRY !

    - FEED YOURSELVES SUGGESTION -

    NEIGHBORHOOD COOP GREENHOUSES

    ANOTHER SUGGESTION IS FOR THOSE LIVING IN THE CITY TO POOL

    THEIR RESOURCES TOGETHER AND MAKE NEIGHBORHOOD COOP

    GREENHOUSES . HERE YOU CAN GROW SOME KIND OF FOODS AND NOT

    BE TOTALLY DEPENDENT ON GROCERY STORES.

    HERE’S SOME EXAMPLES OF WHAT BLACK AFRICANS HAVE DONE :

    BLACK AFRICAN INVENTORS AND THEIR INVENTIONS

    The type of Invention is capitalized (e.g. TRAFFIC SIGNAL, MOTOR, etc..)

    We Black Africans Can Be Self-Sufficient . Here are some major Black Africans who have had an impact on the world With their initiative These are INVENTORS .

    This Listing includes The Inventor’s Name, Their Invention and in some cases the date the invention was recognized and the invention’s U.S. patent number.

    * Sarah Boone - IRONING BOARD - April 26, 1892

    * John A. Burr - LAWN MOWER

    * Marie V. Brittan Brown - HOME SECURITY SYSTEM - Dec 2, 1969

    * Buridge & Marshman - TYPEWRITER

    * George Carruthers - X-RAY MACHINE

    * George Washington Carver - PEANUT BUTTER - PAINTS – PAINT STAINS – ETC

    * John Clark - TRACK ATHLETE TRAINER

    * W.A. Dietz - SHOE

    * Joseph Dickinson - PLAYER PIANO - ARM FOR RECORD PLAYER

    * P.B. Downing - POSTAL LETTER BOX

    * Charles R. Drew - BLOOD PLASMA STORAGE SYSTEM

    * T. Elkins - TOILET (COMMODE)

    * Robert Flemming Jr. - GUITAR

    * Cathleen McCoy Garrett SIREN - HORN LIGHT INDICATOR

    * George F. Grant - GOLF TEE

    * J. Gregory - MOTOR

    * Joanna Hardin - KEYBOARD STAND - Feb 23, 1993

    * Michael Harney - LANTERN

    * Solomon Harper - THERMO(HEATED) HAIR CURLERS

    * Augustus Jackson - ICE CREAM

    * B.F. Jackson - GAS BURNER

    * H.A. Jackson - KITCHEN TABLE

    * Ruane Jeter - DIGITAL TOASTER - April 14, 1987

    * Isaac R. Johnson - BICYCLE FRAME

    * John A. Johnson - WRENCH

    * Lonnie Johnson - SUPER SOAKER WATERGUN

    * P. Johnson - EYE PROTECTOR (GOGGLES)

    * W. Johnson - EGG BEATER

    * Frederick M. Jones - DEFROSTER - REFRIGERATION CONTROLS – AIR CONDITIONER

    * Jones & Long - BOTTLE CAPS

    * John H. Jordan - CLOTHES DRESSER

    * Mary B. Kenner - SANITARY BELT (TAMPONS) - May 15, 1956

    * Mary B. Kenner - SANITARY BELT (WATERPROOF) - April 14, 1959

    * Mary B. Kenner - BATHROOM TISSUE HOLDER - Nov 19, 1982

    * Mary B. Kenner - BACKWASHER ( BATHTUB OR SHOWER MOUNTED) - July 29,1987

    * Lewis Latimer & Nichols - ELECTIC LAMP

    * W.A. Lavalette - PRINTING PRESS

    * F.W. Leslie - ENVELOPE SEAL

    * Maurice W. Lee PRESSURE COOKER

    * A.L. Lewis - WINDOW CLEANER

    * John L. Love - PENCIL SHARPENER

    * Tony J. Marshall - FIRE EXTINGUISHER

    * Alexander Miles - ELEVATOR

    * Jan E. Matzeliger - SHOE LASTING MACHINE

    * W.A. Martin - LOCK

    * Garrett A. Morgan - GAS MASK - Traffic Signal

    * Lydia Newman - HAIR BRUSH - Nov 15, 1898

    * Alice H. Parker - HEATING FURNACE - Dec 23, 1919

    * J.F. Pickering - AIR SHIP (BLIMP)

    * Purdy & Sadgwar - FOLDING CHAIR

    * W.B. Purvis - FOUNTAIN PEN

    * L.P. Ray - DUST PAN

    * W.H. Richardson - BABY BUGGY

    * Walter Sammons - PRESSING COMB

    * G.T. Sampson - CLOTHES DRYER

    * Dewey Sanderson - URINALYSIS MACHINE

    * Ralph Sanderson - HYDRAULIC SHOCK ABSORBER

    * S.R. Scottron - CURTAIN ROD

    * Adolph Shamms - MULTI -STAGE ROCKET

    * .W. Smith - LAWN SPRINKLER

    * Richard B. Spikes - AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFT

    * J. Standard - REFRIGERATOR

    * T.W. Stewart - MOP

    * Maxine Snowden - RAIN HAT - 1983

    * Theora Stephens - PRESSING & CURLING IRON

    * Rufus J. Weaver - STAIR -CLIMBING WHEELCHAIR

    * Paul E. Williams - HELICOPTER

    * J.B. Winters - FIRE ESCAPE LADDER

    * Granville T. Woods - Telephone System Apparatus Oct 11, 1887 – Patent # 371, 241

    * Granville T. Woods - Roller Coaster

    * Granville T. Woods - Auto Air Brake - June 10, 1902 - Patent # 701, 98

    * Granville T. Woods - Telegraph Transmission Devices - Dec 2, 1884 Patents # - 308, 816 (7)

    * Thanks to The Black Inventors Museum *

    * Address : P.O. Box 76128 - Los Angeles , Calif. (90076)

    * Phone (310) 859-4602)

    * Director : Ghanaian Mr. Hamza Salifa

    * Major Contributor of Information : SEESTAH Imahkus Nzinga Okofo

    WHO BROUGHT THE SLAVES TO AMERICA ? [ http://isohunt.com/torrent_details/42787621/Who+brought+the+slaves+to+ameri ca?tab=summary] for full length video

    FRITZ SPRINGMEIER A Bold Christian Truthseeker The Top 13 Illuminati Bloodlines [ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k73Q2_f4vKU ]

    WAKE UP !!! STAY UP !!!

    [ www.libradio.net ]

    [http://www.infowars.com/infowars.asx]

    [gcnlive.com]

    Life Is A Game. Have Fun . Luke 18:17 - Isaiah 11:6

  • upliftdarace_144
    Nov 24 2009, 09:49

    Remember the 120 ! in the Upperroom, Gideon’s 300, One(1) believer can chase 1,000 demons & Two (2) can make 10,000 run .

    How many will 1 million chase ?

    Here’s An abbreviated Spirit Bomb prayer that I’d like for us to say to God The Creator Of All :

    OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN , HOLY IS YOUR NAME, YOUR KINGDOM COME , YOUR WILL BE DONE, IN EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN .

    - In Jesus Name We Pray – Amen

    Pray twice per day once around sunset & once around sunrise .

    Have prayer lists which include Family, Christians, Truthseekers ,& Worthy Causes , etc…

    SOME OF OUR LEADERS ARE UNDER DEMONIC INFLUENCE , SOME OF OUR

    WORLD IS UNDER THE SAME,. OUR UNITED , CONSISTENT, CONTINUOUS

    PRAYERS WILL HELP US TO SEE THROUGH JESUS’ EYES. REMEMBER , HE’S

    THE HEAD, WE HAVE NO EYES, EARS, NOSE, MOUTH, ETC..WITHOUT THE

    HEAD. THAT IS WHY WE WALK BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT, SOUND, TASTE

    OR ANY OTHER NATURAL DISTRACTION. WE ARE SPIRITUAL WARRIORS !!!

    Make a Habit Of Praying Twice a Day (Sunset / Sunrise). Have A Daily Prayer, Weekly

    Prayer , Monthly Prayer, even Yearly Prayer ; keeping persons, organizations and causes

    in mind that you’d like to pray for at these intervals of time ( Daily-Weekly-Monthly-

    Yearly).

    Some prayer list suggestions –

    (DAILY PRAYER LIST ) -

    Christian & Natural Family -

    TOP-PRIORITY Persons, Causes & Oragnizations

    (WEEKLY PRAYER LIST ) -

    MID-LEVEL Persons, Causes & Oragnizations

    (MONTHLY PRAYER LIST ) -

    - Persons, Causes & Oragnizations ( For Example – Heads Of Countries)

    (YEARLY PRAYER LIST ) -

    LOWER LEVEL - Persons, Causes & Oragnizations

    MATTHEW 10:26 DON’T BE AFRAID OF THEM, FOR THERE IS NOTHING COVERED THAT WON’T BE REVEALED AND THERE IS NOTHING HIDDEN THAT WON’T BE KNOWN.

    [God Bless You Readers To Want To Know And Seek To Know The Truth] - MAY GOD BE A HAVEN OF PEACE IN OUR TIME OF TROUBLE --

    WE ARE BEING INFILTRATED BY WEEDS ACTING LIKE WHEAT ! PRAY & ACT ON YOUR FAITH AND HOPE WITH LOVE. EVEN FOR THOSE MISLEAD ACTING LIKE THEY LOVE YOU.

    CLINGING FLATTERERS – [Daniel 11:34 ]] Now when The Saints shall fall, they shall be given a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries

    And Vision Exalters [Daniel 11:14 ]] And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: also the ROBBERS OF OUR PEOPLE shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; BUT THEY SHALL FALL !

    The Swine Flu Vaccination Hoax - Explained URL – [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbFxV_C8Yw4 ]

    WHO BROUGHT THE SLAVES TO AMERICA ? [ http://isohunt.com/torrent_details/42787621/Who+brought+the+slaves+to+ameri ca?tab=summary] for full length video

    FRITZ SPRINGMEIER A Bold Christian Truthseeker The Top 13 Illuminati Bloodlines [ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k73Q2_f4vKU ]

    [ libradio.net ]

    [www.gcnlive.com

    WAKE UP ! STAY UP MY BROTHERS & SISTERS !

    - Life Is a Game. Have Fun. [ Luke 18:17 / Isaiah 11:6 ]