looks forward for countries in the same region to report to treaty bodies in the same time. It was highlighted that EAC can play a role is to monitor, follow-up and implement the recommendations. The mechanism encourages states to report and implement on time by creating experience sharing forums. Such forums put incentive for commitment and political will. It was further highlighted that the EAC secretariat is supported by an inter-agency group comprising international NGOs. Through this arrangement, an EAC child policy was passed in March 2016. Mr Tayebwa concluded by underlining that EAC hopes to extend its mandate and work with the ACERWC to harmonize activities on the African Children’s Charter and its implementation. c. CSO Forum In this panel the CSO forum was represented by Mr Mr Desmond Nyuma Mhango, member of the Executive Committee of the CSO Forum. He started his presentation by informing participants that the CSO Forum is created to support the ACERWC’s mandate as a platform for CSO engagement. It coordinates CSOs in the production of CSO reports. It was also mentioned that the CSO Forum attends the sessions of the Committee and issue various statements to the ACERWC. d. Discussions Following the presentations, Ammb Wael Mohamed Attiya, Panel Chair, pointed out that in all works of human rights NHRIs, RECs, CSOs and State Parties are important. In Egypt, for example, government cooperates with CSOs in the implementation of human rights programmes. NHRIs play a very important role by monitoring implementation, advocacy for ratification, and review of reservations. Hence it is important to have coordination among the four actors. During the discussions, it emerged that engagement of the EAC with states takes place during the summit of head of states. The assembly has given power to the council of ministers which the Secretariat deals with. Currently there is no strong relationship with EAC and ACERWC, but the EAC Secretariat can identify what can be done. It came out that the EAC can remind Partner States to report to the ACERWC when they are reporting to the EAC. It was further elaborated that implementation in EAC happens at national level hence the REC does not directly work with the ministries concerned with child rights. It only works with the ministries responsible for EAC affairs. The representative from Gambia wanted to know how NANHRI assists in the creation of NHRIs and whether the network aspires to see all African countries having NHRIs. The response was that the network is merely a coordination mechanism since the creation 17 | P a g e