Uhuru chairs EAC Heads of State 18th extraordinary Summit

President Uhuru Kenyatta chaired the 18th extraordinary East African Community Heads of State Summit on Wednesday. Uhuru is the current chairperson of the summit.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda attended the meeting that was held virtually.

Burundian president Évariste Ndayishimiye was represented by his Vice President Prosper Bazombaza while EAC Minister Deng Alor represented South Sudan’s Salva Kiir.

Uhuru, in his opening statement, underscored the importance of the East African Community integration process. 

He said the community provides a sturdy platform for regional socio-economic transformation.

The president reaffirmed the commitment of the summit to the EAC integration process. Uhuru also said the summit is also an effective vehicle for the economic development and prosperity of East Africa.

“…I re-affirm the commitment of the Summit to the EAC integration process. We are certainly sure that this is an effective vehicle for the economic development and prosperity of the people of East Africa,” Uhuru said.

The summit discussed the application by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to join the EAC.

The summit directed the council of ministers to hasten a verification mission to the country and report back its findings in the 22nd summit to be held in 2022.

Uhuru expressed his satisfaction at the progress made towards solidarity and prosperity in the region. He urged all member states to keep on prioritising the EAC agenda.

Uhuru noted that there is positive progress in implementing the four pillars of EAC integration.

“Indeed, it is notable that work is progressing well in the implementation of the four pillars of EAC integration; namely the customs union, the common market, the monetary union and ultimately the political federation,” Uhuru said.

Uhuru said the expression of interest of DRC to join the EAC is a clear sign that the regional economic bloc is successful and has untapped opportunities.

He added it is also an affirmation of EAC efforts to deepen integration and widen cooperation.

“This is also an affirmation of our efforts to deepen integration and widen cooperation as aptly captioned by the theme of this summit,” Uhuru said.

The other heads of state, Suluhu, Kagame and Museveni thanked President Uhuru for convening the virtual meeting.

They also welcomed the idea of DRC expressing her interest in joining EAC and urged the EAC council of ministers to speed up admitting DRC into the EAC community.

Other speakers at the virtual summit included Kenya’s EAC and Regional Development CS Adan Mohamed and the community's Secretary-General Dr Peter Mutuku Mathuki.