Eastern Africa Journalists at Regional Summit in Djibouti form united front

[Jacaylbaro]

Eastern Africa Journalists at Regional Summit in Djibouti form united front against conflict and press freedom violations

 

 

SDWO (Djibouti 04/10/07) The summit of journalists unions and associations of Eastern African countries concluded its meeting yesterday, 30 September, in Djibouti, with a stronger and more united voice to tackle issues of press freedom, safety of journalists, security and violence and conflict resolution in the sub-region, trade union matters, gender mainstreaming and professional excellence in journalism.

 

 

At the conclusion of the summit, which has inspired great optimism in the face of huge challenges facing the media in the sub-region, the Eastern Africa Journalists Association (EAJA), created in 1997, was formally instituted.

 

 

 

It was attended by journalists' union/association leaders from Burundi, Djibouti, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Somalia, Sudan, Uganda, and the semi-autonomous South Sudan.

 

 

 

The summit, hosted by the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) and supported by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), draw up a 10-point Declaration and a plan of action that would focus on the need to find a lasting solution to the state of incessant violence and insecurity in the eastern Africa sub-region. EAJA would work closely with like minded institutions and authorities to help bring peace.

 

 

 

"Journalists continue to die and face persecution in the hands of violent forces. This state of insecurity is one of the greatest enemies of press freedom because journalists cannot freely perform their duties in a state of lawlessness," said NUSOJ Secretary-General, Omar Faruk Osman.

 

 

 

"I am delighted on behalf of NUSOJ and EAJA that the government of Djibouti has welcomed the entire community of Eastern Africa journalists in its city," Osman said.

 

 

 

"The aim is to revive and strengthen Eastern Africa journalists Association and to improve collaboration and coordination of common programs and goals, and develop strategies for addressing key issues affecting freedom of press and freedom of expression in Eastern Africa," Omar added.

 

 

 

Djibouti Minister of Communication and Culture, H.E. Ali Abdi Farah, who presided over the opening ceremony said he was delighted that his country was chosen to host the meeting. "I feel privileged today that I have been invited to open the Eastern African journalists meeting in Djibouti. The choice over Djibouti is normal, because of its geographical location, peace and here, and stability," he said.

 

 

 

"Today in your meeting of Eastern African journalists, with an objective of putting in place an organ for the region, it is our hope that you will also help our journalists in realising their dreams as one family. The government of Djibouti promises to help you in your endeavours to achieve a strong and effective regional body. The EAJA would be as good as IGAD (Inter-Governmental Authority on Development)".

 

 

 

French Ambassador to Djibouti H.E. Dominique Decherf who also attended the opening ceremony observed that in the situation of the media has greatly evolved in the Eastern African countries with the growth of the media industry, with the emergence of many newspapers, radios and TV station, most of them privately owned.

 

 

 

"Today, we have also new technologies in media including the Internet. We also have access to international media presently, which we could not access here 20 years ago," the Ambassador added.

 

 

 

But he decried the lack of balance between the local and international media, with the local media coming under intense control by the state. "We know that governments have programmes aimed at facilitating the work of the media, but this help has never been equitable in relation to private-public media. This, therefore, means that regional organisations like EAJA can help development partners like the European Union channel their help to your organisation". He said he would seek EU support for EAJA activities in the area of peace and conflict resolution.

 

 

 

The IFJ Director for Africa, Gabriel Baglo also thanked the government of Djibouti for allowing NUSOJ to organise the meeting in Djibouti. He said IFJ was confident that EAJA will help rally the support of opinion leaders and the civil society in the search for peace and development and other interests critical to the promotion of press freedom in the East and Horn of Africa sub-region.

 

 

 

"I salute and congratulate colleagues from the region and the NUSOJ for reviving and re-launching EAJA as a formal organisation and this will make it visible and vocal part of civil society in the region," said Baglo said.

 

 

 

The summit elected the following officials to steer the EAJA agenda for the next three years:

 

 

 

1. Dr. Moheldin Ahmed Idris of Sudanese Journalists Union as President,

 

 

 

2. Tervil Okoko Tom of Kenya Union of Journalists as Vice President,

 

 

 

3. Omar Faruk Osman of the National Union of Somali Journalists,

 

 

 

4. Herbert Lumansi of Uganda Journalists Union as Treasurer,

 

 

 

5. Safari Gaspard of Rwanda Journalists Association as Adviser

 

 

 

Source: NUSOJ, Oct 1, 2007

[Jacaylbaro]