Outgoing East African Community (EAC) Secretary General, Dr Richard Sezibera, has decried the use of money by politicians seeking public office in the regional bloc, saying this was fuelling corruption and stalling development.

At 4th Annual East African Community Secretary General’s Forum held in Dar es Salaam on Friday, Dr Sezibera said corruption would remain a curse in the region as long as leaders used their financial muscles to buy votes.

“Voters in the region tend to elect people on the influence of money. Corrupt candidates will always be corrupt leaders,” he said. The function ran under the theme ‘Good Governance and Constitutionalism’.

Dr Sezibera noted that corruption was still rife in the EAC member states, and a stumbling block to good governance.

He commended President John Magufuli for his relentless efforts to fight the vice for the betterment of wananchi. The outgoing EAC boss urged other leaders in the region to emulate President Magufuli’s stance on graft.

He also echoed the President’s statement at the just ended 17th Ordinary EAC Heads of State Summit that it was high time leaders focused on ensuring residents benefitted from integration.

He said: “Integration is not just about words, but putting things into action to improve people’s lives in the region.”

Meanwhile, the Head of TradeMark Africa-East African Community (TMA-EAC), Mr Jason Kap-Kirwok, said his organisation will organise more seminars on good governance to member states for citizens to enjoy fruits of the integration.

Source: allAfrica

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of TradeMark Africa.