HON. JOHN MULIMBA ADDRESSES COUNCIL OF MINISTERS DURING 14TH EAC SECTORAL COUNCIL ON FOREIGN POLICY COORDINATION

Thu, 05/02/2024

The 14th EAC Sectoral Council on Foreign Policy Coordination which kicked off on April 21st 2024 was successfully concluded on April 30th 2024 by a meeting of the EAC Council of Ministers at the Four Points by Sheraton in Dar-es-Salaam. Also on the program of work this session was the joint meeting of the 12 th Sectoral Councils on cooperation in Defence Affairs, Interstate Security and Foreign Policy Coordination. The Uganda delegation to the 14th EAC Sectoral Council on Foreign Policy Coordination included Hon. Oboth Oboth, Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Hon. John Mulimba, Minister of State for Regional Affairs, Hon. Gen. David Muhoozi, Minister of State for Internal Affairs, Lt. Gen. Joseph Musanyufu, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Internal Affairs, Amb. Richard Kabonero (representing the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Amb. Ann Katusiime, Uganda Consul General in Arusha, and Senior officials.

The Ministers reviewed the progress of implementation of the previous Council decisions and directives, status of ratification of the Protocol on Foreign Policy Coordination, Immunity and Privileges, and consideration of the development of EAC Diaspora Policy as well as the EAC Regional Framework on Return and Reintegration of Stranded Migrants originating from EAC countries, among others. In his address to the Council, Minister of State for Regional Cooperation, Hon. John Mulimba, who led Uganda's delegation to the 14th EAC Sectoral Council on Foreign Policy Coordination, expressed Uganda's commitment and resolve to the operations of the EAC, "I am confident that re-convening of Council meetings will renew the impetus and commitments to implementation of EAC directives in a robust and timely manner," he said. The Minister encouraged Partner States to remain committed to the calendar of activities of the Sectoral Council meetings. The EAC Sectoral Council on Foreign Policy Coordination was last held in 2015.