Africa Coalition on Public Services Petitions East Africa Legislative Assembly on Public Services in East Africa.
On 12 March 2024 the African Coalition on Public Services coordinated by the Initiative for Social and Economic Rights (ISER) delivered a petition and copy of The Africa We Want: Reclaim Public Services Manifesto to Rt Hon. Joseph Ntakirutimana, Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly sitting in Nairobi, on the dire state of public services in the region like health, education and social protection.
“We the undersigned draw the attention of the East African Legislative Assembly to the deteriorating state of public services within partner states of the East Africa Community, resulting in severe socio-economic inequalities, delayed development and hindered attainment of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals,” the petitioners said in their appeal.
“I am glad to see the African Coalition on Public Services championing the cause of quality social services. What you are defending is what I also would defend.” expressed, Rt. Hon. Joseph Ntakirutimana, Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly.
Later that day, the Speaker formally communicated to the East African Legislative Assembly during the plenary sitting in Nairobi that he had received the petition on behalf of the Legislative Assembly and it was sent to the General Purpose committee for further action.
Hon. Siranda Blacks Gerald, Member of Parliament at the East African Legislative Assembly emphasized the East African Community’s people-centric nature, highlighting the correlation between quality service delivery and regional integration. “We will benefit from the integration when people have public services, when they are healthier. It is our mandate as the Parliament to ensure our people have better public services,” observed Hon. Siranda.
“At the heart of the #ReclaimPublicServices movement lies a fundamental principle: States must increase spending on public services like health, education and social protection and regulate private actors providing them. For East African states, it is essential to do so to realise the East Africa Treaty, the 2063 Africa We Want agenda, and the Sustainable Development Goals.” Stated Labila Sumaya Musoke, Program Officer at ISER and Coordinator of the African Coalition on Public Services.
“It is time for the East African States to stop crisis management in public services and provide accountable and sustainable spending solutions!” remarked Madina Mohamed of the East Africa Centre for Human Rights (EACHRights)
Ravi Ram of Peoples Health Movement Kenya expressed optimism about this collaboration on public services. “We look forward to finding an African solution to the socio-economic inequities, which requires looking beyond the private-focused service delivery.”
The Coalition urged member states to address their exponentially rising debt burdens that draw away resources meant for public services toward debt repayment. Member states are spending more servicing debt than on health, education, social protection
“The #AfricaWeWant and realizing the 2063Agenda requires us to redefine the tax architecture, shifting from regressive to progressive tax regimes, and replacing tax exemptions and holidays with fair taxation of the rich and wealthy to fund public services.” stressed Allana Kembabazi, Programs Manager, ISER.
“In the wake of dwindling public service delivery across East Africa, there is a need for member states to prioritise transformative policies that promote quality, inclusive, and gender-responsive public services delivery. #TheAfricaWeWant envisions, not only public services that work for us but also for future generations.” noted Roselyn Onyango, Associate Programme Officer – Africa, Global Initiative for Economic Social and Cultural Rights (GI-ESCR) Kenya.
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For further information please contact info@iser-uganda.org
Media coverage of the Petition
- NTV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCfAV8mX97w
- New Times Rwanda https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/15219/news/health/regional-parliament-petitioned-over-inadequate-healthcare-in-eac
- All Africa https://allafrica.com/stories/202403130211.html
Petition mentioned during the sitting of the East Africa Legislative Assembly https://www.youtube.com/live/UIbbCY3fyGM?si=6_S5oQxaa5sQo5X2 (from 14:17 – 16:50 min)
The Africa We Want: Reclaim Public Services Manifesto https://iser-uganda.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/The-Africa-we-want-manifesto-Final.pdf
Petition to EALA https://iser-uganda.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Petition-to-EALA-on-Public-Services.pdf
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