The Protocol on Privileges and Immunities of the East African Community was signed in Arusha in April 2015. It is a legal framework that falls directly under the Treaty of Establishment of the East African Community. It is intended to regulate the status, privileges and immunities to be granted by the States Parties to the assets and properties of the Community wherever they are located in the Partner States as well as to persons employed in the service of the Community. Whereas its entry into force is conditional on the deposit of instruments of ratification at the Secretariat of the East African Community by all member states, it has already been ratified by four countries including Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya.

It is within this framework that the National Assembly of Burundi proceeded, on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, to the analysis and adoption of the ratification bill, by the Republic of Burundi on the protocol on privileges and immunities of the East African Community signed in Arusha in April 2015.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation, Ambassador Albert Shingiro, was invited to the plenary session in Kigobe to present the explanatory statement and answer questions from MPs on the bill. This protocol concerns:
The immunity of property, assets and persons employed in the East African Community and their privileges
The protection of funds of the Community,
Facilities for official communication,
Tax exemptions for the community.

The issue of the low number of Burundians among the staff of the East African Community came up again. Minister Albert Shingiro spoke of language barriers, but also that Burundi joined the community last after Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, so these countries had time to integrate their nationals. Four countries (Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda) have already ratified the protocol. By joining them, Burundi will have created and maintained favorable conditions for the establishment of the community’s organs on its territory.
After analysis, the ratification bill by the Republic of Burundi on the protocol on privileges and immunities of the East African Community signed in Arusha in April 2015 was unanimously adopted by 108 votes/108.