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{
"id": 1220321,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1220321/?format=api",
"text_counter": 276,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Saku, UDA",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Ali Raso",
"speaker": null,
"content": "are experiencing banditry and cattle rustling. Even though banditry and cattle rustling are internal affairs, they have effects on the largely global Kenya in terms of how we do our things at the international level. Hon. Temporary Speaker, the 42nd Session of the Joint Parliamentary Assembly was informed that the new post-Cotonou Agreement has been set for June 2023. The Assembly was also informed that the reason why the EU group could not sign the agreement is because of matters that were raised by one country, Hungary. However, provisions for the Cotonou Agreement have been extended until the new partnership agreement between the EU and the ACP countries enters into force. The discussion on the post-Cotonou Agreement initially was largely about trade and development cooperation. At a later stage, the issue of political and governance came on board and issue of human rights also came on board. Whereas it was not in the initial thinking when the Cotonou Agreement was signed, the EU cluster feels that the issue of human rights must be discussed as an important piece within the agenda of both economic development and governance. Hon. Temporary Speaker, it is important to note that once the new agreement is in place by June 2023, the OACPS-EU JPA will meet once every year in Brussels and once each year within the three regional blocs of Africa, Caribbean and Pacific. In this regard, it is the feeling of the OACPS Members of Parliament who attend these sessions that the three groups are not divided into regional clusters. Hon. Members are aware of the saying that, “if we are united, we are strong; if we are divided, we are weakened.” So, it is felt that an attempt to try and negotiate or talk sweetly with different regions at different times in three separate places is an attempt to pull us in three different directions, and that will weaken us. The Assembly runs with three principal committees, namely; the Committee on Political Affairs, where Kenya sits; the Committee on Economic Development, Finance and Trade; and the Committee on Social Affairs and Environment. I will just comment on each of the three committees. The Political Affairs Committee largely speaks to the issue of governance, peace and security, while the Committee on Economic Development is largely about trade. A few years ago, this House passed the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) where Kenya negotiated as part of East Africa. It was not just East African countries that ratified the EPAs. This agreement was largely passed based on individual country’s national interests, even the common interests of the East African Region were considered. Hon. Temporary Speaker, the Committee on Social Affairs and Environment discusses matters of women and youth, climate change and economic empowerment for different cluster groups, including People Living with Disabilities (PWDs). The Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy, where Kenya sits, held debate on several issues, one being enhancing cooperation on maritime security and promoting the rule of law on the oceans. What we must take cognisant of as a country is that Kenya sits on the realm of the Indian Ocean. We are both gaining because we are exploiting the resources of the Indian Ocean even though we are met with challenges that are coming to us as a result of occupying this strategic position in the Horn of Africa and the larger Indian Ocean realm. Maritime security is a complex and dynamic matter which can greatly affect national security. Seventy per cent of the world trading services is ocean-based and two-thirds of world waters are high seas, which demonstrate the importance of this issue. Additionally, three billion people, mostly in the developing countries, depend on the oceans and seas for their daily social and cultural life for their livelihood. Maritime security is under threat due to the contested boundaries and navigation routes which do not conform to international law, and depletion of natural resources through illegal, unregulated fishing and armed attacks and crimes at the sea such as robbery, piracy and terrorist The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}