The EAC Council of Ministers, the body mandated with budgetary preparations and presentation, is yet to present its 2020/21 budget proposals to the East African Legislative Assembly (Eala) budget committee with only days to go to the June 30th deadline, The EastAfrican has learnt.
In an interview, Vincent Biruta, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation who is also the chair of the EAC Council of Ministers, explained the failure to meet the June 30 budgeting deadline.
Besides the travelling disruption that came with international border closures after entry of the virus into the region three months ago, The EastAfrican has also learnt that the budgeting process has been marred by lethargy of some member countries and deaths of Burundi president Pierre Nkurunziza as well as South Sudan Minister for EAC Affairs John Luk Jok.
Lack of a budget will also affect the EAC council and ministerial meetings, Eala operations, employment and replacement of judges and staff at the East African Court of Justice, and funding of agencies spread across the region, among other activities.
“According to EAC Budget Act, Eala is expected to receive the tabling of the budget estimates from the Council chair by April 30 this year for consideration and passage before June 30 as required by EAC Treaty.
