JOINT COMMUNIQUE
FOR THE EAST AFRICAN HEADS OF STATE SUMMIT, NAIROBI, 28TH AUGUST 2004.
At the invitation of His Excellency Honourable Mwai Kibaki, President of the Republic
of Kenya, His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of
Uganda and His Excellency Benjamin William Mkapa, President of the United Republic
of Tanzania; held a three-day Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, from 27-29 August 2004.
Their Excellencies Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and Benjamin William Mkapa were received,
on arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, by the Host President, His
Excellency Honourable Mwai Kibaki.
Their Excellencies were accompanied by delegations that included a team of Ministers.
The three Heads of State proceeded to the venue of the Summit at Windsor Country
and Golf Club, which provided a serene environment for the Summit. The Summit
was conducted in an informal and private consultative manner, which provided their
Excellencies with a friendly, brotherly and relaxed working atmosphere.
The Summit undertook a broad review of the status of the East African Community
integration process, and examined further ways and means of deepening and accelerating
the process.
The Summit specifically focused critically on Article 5 (2) of the East African
Community Treaty, which states inter alia:
" In pursuance of the provision of paragraph 1 of this Article, the Partner
States undertake to establish among themselves and in accordance with the provisions
of this Treaty, a Customs Union, a Common Market, subsequently a Monetary Union
and ultimately a Political Federation in order to strengthen and regulate the
industrial, commercial, infrastructural, cultural, social, political and other
relations of the Partner States to the end that there shall be accelerated, harmonious
and balanced development and sustained expansion of economic activities, the benefit
of which shall be equitably shared".
After a thorough review of the above Article, and concerned about the tardiness
therein, the Summit resolved to expedite and compress the process of integration
so that the ultimate goal of a Political Federation is achieved through a fast
track mechanism.
In order to achieve the above objective, the Summit directed that a Committee
of three persons be set up immediately. The Committee's mandate is to examine
how the fast track mechanism can be achieved. The established Committee is mandated
to commence its work immediately and submit its report to the next Regular East
African Community Summit, scheduled for 30th November 2004.
The Heads of State further reaffirmed their commitment to a speedy implementation
of all the Protocols and Instruments signed within the framework of the East African
Community Treaty. They further directed that all Protocols and Instruments not
yet ratified by the Member States should be ratified by 30th November 2004.
Their Excellencies President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and President Benjamin William
Mkapa conveyed their condolences to His Excellency President Mwai Kibaki, the
Government, the bereaved family and the people of Kenya on the untimely death
of Hon. Karisa Maitha, Minister of Tourism and Wildlife.
Their Excellencies President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and President Benjamin William
Mkapa expressed warm appreciation to His Excellency Honourable Mwai Kibaki, the
Government and the people of the Republic of Kenya for the warm hospitality extended
to them and their delegations during their stay in the Republic of Kenya; which
facilitated the fruitful deliberations and successful outcome of the Summit Meeting.
DONE AT NAIROBI ON 28th AUGUST 2004.
…………………….. ……………………………….
……………………………
H.E. Mwai Kibaki H.E. Yoweri K. Museveni H.E. Benjamin W. Mkapa
PRESIDENT PRESIDENT PRESIDENT
Republic of Kenya Republic of Uganda The United Republic of Tanzania