According to the statement issued on June 11^th, the confederation aims to strengthen regional governance and enhance cooperation among member states in political affairs, foreign policy, peace, and security.

The 12-day stakeholder engagement exercise will kick off in Kigali before moving to Rubavu, Huye, and Nyagatare, officially concluding on June 27.

The initiative is part of the bloc's ongoing regional efforts to involve citizens directly in shaping their future governance framework, read the statement.

A wide range of stakeholders will participate, including government leaders, parliamentarians, members of the judiciary, civil society organisations, academia, the business community, youth, women, persons with disabilities, religious leaders, media practitioners and political parties to provide views on the proposed Constitution for the EAC Political Confederation.

The EAC Secretariat has also scheduled a high-level engagement with Rwandan President Paul Kagame, judiciary, government ministries and agencies, revenue and monetary authorities, human rights institutions, business associations, civil society organisations, academia, media organisations and representatives of special interest groups.

Constitutional experts nominated by EAC partner states will conduct the sessions, coordinated by the EAC Secretariat in collaboration with the Government of Rwanda.

Speaking ahead of the consultations, the EAC Deputy Secretary General responsible for Infrastructure, Productive, Social and Political Sectors, Hon. Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth, emphasized that the process aims to build a citizen-driven framework.

"The national consultations are designed to create awareness on the Constitution-making process, provide an opportunity for citizens to contribute their views, and ensure that the proposed Constitution is people-centred and owned by the people of East Africa," said Hon. Malueth.

The Political Confederation serves as the transitional stage toward the ultimate goal of a full Political Federation of East African States. It represents the fourth and final pillar of EAC integration, following the Customs Union, the Common Market, and the Monetary Union.

The current confederation model was adopted by the Summit of EAC Heads of State in May 2017 to deepen political ties.

The constitution-making process is currently guided by a Team of Experts appointed in February 2018, chaired by Uganda’s retired Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki and deputized by Kenya’s former Attorney General, Senator Amos Wako.