Organisation of the East African Community
The main bodies of the EAC are the Summit of Heads of State and or Government;Council of Ministers;Co-ordination Committee;Sectoral Committees;East African Court of Justice,East African Legislative Assembly;and the Secretariat
The Summit consists of the Heads of State or Government of the Partner States and gives general direction and impetus to the development and archievement of the objectives of the Community.The Summit meets at least once a year to consider the annual progress reports and such other reports submitted to it by the Council.It may also hold extraordinary meetings as necessary.
The Council of Ministers is the policy organ of the Community.It consists of the Ministers responsible for regional co-operation of each Partner State and such other Ministers of the Partner States as each Partner State shall determine.It may hold extraordinary meetings as necessary.The Council may establish Sectoral Councils to deal with any other matters arising under the Treaty, and the decisions of such Councils will have the same effect as those of the Council of Ministers.
The Co-ordination Committee consists of the Permanent Secretaries responsible for regional co-operation in each Partner State and such other Permanent Secretaries of the Partner States as each Partner State may determine.The Committee reports to the Council of Ministers and co-ordinates the activities of the Sectoral Committees.
Sectoral Committees report to the Co-ordination Committee.They are established by the Council on the basis of the recommendations of the C0-ordination Co-ordination Committee,which spell out their composition and functions.The Sectoral Committee prepare comprehensive implementation programmes,setting out priorities with respect to the various sectors as well as monitor their implementation.
The East African Court of Justice initially had jurisdiction over the interpretation and application of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community.Following the amendment of the Treaty in December 2006,the East African Court of Justice was re-constituted by establishing two divisions namely a Court of First Instance with jurisdiction as per present Article 23 of the Treaty and Appellate Division with appellate powers over the Court of First Instance.The re-constituted Court became operational on 1 July 2007.
The East African Legislative Assembly is the legislative organ of the EAC.Its membership consists of 45 elected members,nine from each Partner States,plus seven Ex-officio members;five Ministers responsible for the East African Community Affairs,the Secretary General and the Counsel to the Community.
The Secretariat is the executive organ of the Community.It is headed by the Secretary General who is assisted by three Deputy Secretaries General and includes offices of the Counsel to the Community and other officers appointed by the Council.
Autonomous Institutions of the Community are the East African Development Bank,Lake Victoria Fisheries Organisations,Inter-University Council for the East Africa,East African Civil Aviation Academy and East African School of Librarianship
