Some North Eastern residents are now calling for a borderless East Africa Community (EAC) to promote trade between countries in the region.

According to a resident, Hassan Noor, he has asked the committee to prioritise a borderless region to ensure the area's goods and services move freely.

Speaking during a public participation forum on the proposed political confederation of EAC held at a Garissa hotel, he stated that he wants a free region to move freely.

“We should promote resource sharing to minimise conflicts in the region. There is huge potential in the region for trade to thrive if we develop a borderless region,” he said.

Further, he noted that said that this will also see a strong regional economic block that does not depend on aid from the East or Western countries.

Justice Dr Benjamin Odoki, retired Chief Justice of Uganda and the chairman to the committee of experts appointed at the EAC summit to draft the constitution for the proposed political confederation of EAC, said the journey to strengthen the political authority is on course.

PHOTO | COURTESY Retired Ugandan Chief Justice Richard Odoki

Dr Odoki said that much has been covered in the quest to develop a draft of an EAC constitution.

“We shall be visiting all the 47 counties collecting the people’s views that we shall use to draft the constitution,” he said.

The retired chief justice said that his team of experts will develop a draft confederal constitution that will lead to a transition to a federation.

On her part, Ms Fatuma Yusuf from Wajir urged the committee to ensure inclusivity in the regional governance system.

“I want sign language to be included among the recognized languages in the EAC so that people living with disabilities can feel being part of the EAC population,” Fatuma said.