In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary…
- President William Ruto is the new Chairperson of the East African Community, succeeding South Sudan’s Salva Kiir.
- Ruto aims to boost regional integration, trade, and development while advancing the EAC’s political confederation goals.
President William Ruto has officially assumed the role of Chairperson of the East African Community (EAC), taking over from South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir, whose one-year tenure has come to an end.
President Ruto lauded his predecessor’s leadership, describing it as both “exemplary” and “visionary.”
Speaking at the 24th Ordinary Summit of EAC Heads of State in Arusha, President Ruto praised the progress made under President Kiir’s stewardship, highlighting advancements in regional integration and collaboration.
“Under his steady stewardship, the EAC has made remarkable strides in deepening integration and achieving progress in key areas that define our shared aspirations,” Ruto stated.
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As he takes on the mantle, President Ruto inherits leadership at a pivotal moment for the eight-member economic bloc, which is working towards establishing a political confederation.
He described this ambition as a transformative journey toward greater regional integration, emphasizing the immense benefits of such unity while acknowledging the challenges ahead.
During his tenure, President Ruto pledged to prioritize initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for East Africans.
His focus areas include enhancing competitiveness, promoting value-added production, boosting intra-regional trade, and driving investments.
These, he noted, are key to transforming economies, creating jobs, and fostering sustainable development across partner states.
Additionally, President Ruto underscored the need to address internal barriers to trade by eliminating non-tariff barriers, improving infrastructure connectivity, and fostering regulatory harmonization.
“We must create a seamless trading environment to drive EAC’s competitiveness and economic growth,” he said.
Outgoing Chairperson Salva Kiir expressed pride in the EAC’s progress, noting that the community is growing stronger.
He urged the bloc to focus on enhancing regional peace, strengthening intra-EAC trade, and embracing digital transformation to unlock further opportunities.