‘Burundi’s integration into the EAC bearing good results’, Minister Ndahayo

‘Burundi’s integration into the EAC bearing good results’, Minister Ndahayo

The minister in charge of the integration of Burundi into the East African Community (EAC), Ms. Isabelle Ndahayo, in the Kigobe Congress House on Thursday September 5, 2019, gave answers to the oral questions mainly focused on the state of the integration of Burundi into that community and the position of Burundi in relation to the policy of the political federation of the EAC member countries.



Among the questions asked by the representatives of the people are the benefits that Burundi has already enjoyed since its integration into the EAC, the use of the single currency, and whether Burundi’s willingness to join the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) is possible.

To those questions, Minister Ndahayo said that Burundi has already benefited a lot from the integration, including infrastructures, health institutions and others that are being built.

Minister Ndahayo said that Burundi supports the policy of the political federation of EAC member countries because it has many advantages, including a common vision that leads to economic development, but also the protection and defense of common interests.

As for the state of affairs in the use of the single currency, Ms. Ndahayo said that preparedness is underway and she hopes that in 2024, member countries will start using the single currency.

As for the advantages that Burundi intends to gain from the integration into other regional communities such as SADC or if it is possible to integrate into several organizations at the same time, the minister pointed out that Burundi is a landlocked country and that to be part of several organizations will allow it access to the sea.

To the concern that Burundi cannot belong to both EAC and SADC, Minister Ndahayo tranquilizes by saying that even Tanzania belongs to the two organizations.

The participants also wanted to know the progress of the construction of the Rusumo dam, which would normally start operating in 2020.

The minister said that the construction of the dam was disrupted by the problem of compensation of people, but that by March 2021, the dam will be operational.
They also wanted to know why Burundi contributes the same amount as other countries, such as Tanzania and Kenya, while the profits would not be the same.

Minister Ndahayo said that at present, the situation is in that way, but claims have been submitted while hoping that the answer will be favorable.

Asked about when French will be used as a communication tool in the EAC in the same way as English and Kiswahili, the minister said that Burundians have an interest in continuing to learn English while waiting for the French to be approved as the language of communication within the EAC.

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