Burundi’s Joseph Ntakarutimana Elected New EALA Speaker

Rt. Hon Joseph Ntakarutimana has been elected the new Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).

This was during the first session of the 5th East African Legislative Assembly which commenced at 11:30 am in Arusha, Tanzania Tuesday, December 20, 2022.

The session for the election of the new Speaker was presided over by EALA Clerk, Mr Alex Obatre.

A total of 54 members out of the 63 voted for Ntakarutimana, one voted against him while eight votes were invalid.

“Congratulations to the new Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly Hon. Ntakarutimana Joseph!” EALA tweeted.

“I convey my warm congratulations to Right Hon Joseph Ntakirutimana on winning the elections for the @EA_Bunge’s Speakership. As you embark upon your new duties, I assure you of my support as Chair of the EAC Heads of State Summit in the realisation of @jumuiya integration agenda,” tweeted Burundi President SE Evariste Ndayishimiye.

Ntakarutimana is the deputy secretary-general of the country’s ruling party CNDD-FDD.

The race for the speaker of the fifth East African Legislative Assembly kicked off in Arusha Tanzania at the close of last week with nominations drawn from Burundi and South Sudan.

Ntakarutimana would then face off with two female candidates —Ann Itto and Gai Deng — from South Sudan. Initially, South Sudan had four candidates including Gideon Gatpan and Kennedy Mukulia both of whom later pulled out of the race saying that Juba had fronted different candidates.

The 4th East African Legislative assembly concluded its tour of duty after five years. Out of the 54 members, only 22 will be returning to the assembly for a new tenure.