The xenophobic violence currently taking place in South Africa could happen in East Africa if partner states don’t ensure inclusive policies to benefit citizens during the ongoing integration process, members of the East African Legislative Assembly (Eala) have warned.
“South Africa is the most industrialised economy in Africa because of high investment levels but why are they experiencing xenophobic violence? Foreign investment levels in the whole of Africa have been growing but youth unemployment is worsening, why?” Tanzania’s Dr Kessy Nderakindo wondered.
Kenya’s delegate Nancy Abisai suggested that EAC should consider passing an anti-xenophobia law to avoid getting caught off guard.
“This is very important for the region, we should take xenophobia seriously,” she said.
Dr Nderakindo and Abisai are both members of the Eala Committee on Communication, Trade and Investment which is in Kigali for a two-day plenary session that kicked off yesterday and ends today.
The committee, chaired by Uganda’s MP Fred Mukasa Mbidde, is reviewing partner states’ national investment codes and policies with the view of harmonising them into a single regional investment code.