Promoting the Rule of Law and Human Security in Eastern Africa

The Regional Programme for Eastern Africa for the period 2009-12 covers thirteen countries: Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Tanzania and Uganda.

The purpose of the Programme is to support the efforts of the Member States in the Eastern Africa region to respond to evolving security threats and to promote the rule of law and human security. The Regional Programme articulates a holistic, integrated and nationally owned approach to key security and justice challenges. It includes the inputs and recommendations of the regional expert group meeting held in Nairobi on 2-4 February 2009, with expert delegates from all thirteen countries in the region participating, as well as representatives from international organizations, UN agencies and funding partners. The Regional Programme was subsequently endorsed at the regional Ministerial Conference held in Nairobi, on 23-24 November 2009, where delegates from 13 countries of the region signed the Nairobi Declaration in support of the Regional Programme. The following Sub-Programmes have been identified as strategic priorities in the region:


1. Countering illicit trafficking, organized crime and terrorism.

Activities under this Sub-Programme will include support to the ratification and implementation of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and its Protocols (i.e. Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children; Smuggling of Migrants; and the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms), the prevention of money laundering, the development of border control s

ystems and container control for illicit goods, as well as capacity building for counter-terrorism.

 

2. Fighting corruption and promoting justice and integrity.


Activities under this Sub-Programme aim at improving the quality and integrity of the justice and legal systems, the ratification and implementation of the UN Convention against Corruption
(UNCAC), and the putting in place of both national and regional strategies against crime and corruption, including violence against women and children.

 

3. Improving health and human development.


Activities under this Sub-Programme are targeted to prevent drug abuse and strengthen drug dependence treatment services, and to reduce instances of HIV/AIDS through the provision of comprehensive prevention, treatment and care for drug users and for prison settings, areas for which the Office is the lead agency under the UNAIDS Division of labour.

 

The Regional Programme is designed to promote partner countries' ownership, be aligned with national policies and priorities, be effectively coordinated with the rest of the UN system and other multilateral development agencies, and support mutual accountability for results.