THE East African Community (EAC), has expressed the need for its citizens and civil society organizations to join hands with its leaders in the fight against corruption in the region.

EAC Secretary General, Dr Richard Sezibera made the call yesterday in Dar es Salaaam while opening the fourth Annual EAC Secretary General’s Forum.

With the theme “Good Governance and Constitutional in the EAC” Dr Sezibera said that the fight against the development threat (corruption) should not be left to the hands of few leaders with passion to get rid of it, but be given drive by citizens and other stakeholders.

“The fight against corruption should be done in a practical manner by mobilising the citizens and civil society organizations to join leaders who have demonstrated the examples in the fight against corruption,” he said and cited President John Magufuli as one among leaders to be emulated in the EA Region.

In another development, Dr Sezibera said the EAC citizens ought to ensure those implicated in corruption cases are severely punished to stop the behavior.

Commenting on the objectives of the forum, Dr Sezibera said that the forum that brought together the private sector members, civil society organizations and other interested groups including the professional associations in the regions agreed on the various issues towards the fight against corruption in the region.

“One of the issues discussed and agreed in the forum by the business council and private members is on the code of ethics and how to treat their customers, they have agreed not to give bribe or contribute to corruption and monitor their members over involvement in the corruption practices,” he said.

The forum held every year also discussed among other issues the way of creating a better nation to suit the interest of the EAC citizens among others.

Source: Daily News

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