Yakani reacts as EAC set to organize inter-parliamentary games in Juba

JUBA — Prominent activist Edmund Yakani has welcomed the organization of East African Community (EAC) inter-parliamentary games in Juba, saying the games demonstrate high spirit for integration between East African states.

Over 1000 East African lawmakers are expected in Juba this week to participate in the East African inter-parliamentary games organized by South Sudan under the auspices of the regional bloc.

Speaker of South Susan’s peace parliament Jemma Nunu Kumba who was recently elected as head of speakers’ forum said in a statement that the games would begin in Juba on November 25.

In a statement, South Sudan’s Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) welcomed the organization of games in South Sudan and described it as a demonstration of high spirit for integration.

“The Community Empowerment for Progress Organization welcomes the inter-parliamentary games. These inter-parliamentary games are practical demonstration of integration of the East Africa Community,” the CEPO statement extended to Sudans Post reads in part.

Edmund Yakani, CEPO’s Executive Director, said the the organization of the EAC parliamentary games should be used as an opportunity to bring peace and stability across the region and South Sudan in particular.

“This 11th East Africa Community inter-parliamentary games should be opportunity for bring peace, stability, democratic governance and economic growth in the region. We are expecting our members’ states parliaments to d turn their oversight role for meeting the best interest of their states respective citizens and the citizens of the region. East Africa Community should be region of economic prosperity, democracy growth and non-violence,” he said.

“The inter-parliamentary games offers opportunity of finding peace and stability to the communities of Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan including democratic governance in the other member states. East Africa Community will be for citizens if it failed to provide for it citizens democratic governance, peace, stability and economic growth,” the activist stressed.

He added that “Integration of the region should be through practical actions such as these inter-parliamentary games than policy papers.”

“CEPO will be campaigning for along the EAC inter-parliamentary games for peace and stability for Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan including opening.

“Our campaigns will be through organization of side events and release of press statements for demanding for peace and stability in DRC and South Sudan and opening of civic space in the region

“Finally CEPO is urging the our EAC law makers to make declarations for peace, stability, economic growth and democratic governance and unrestricted civic space in the region, CEPO campaign will ‘11th EAC Inter-parliamentary Games for Peace, Stability, economic Growth and Democratic Governance.’”