Kenya's President William Ruto has been elected as the East Africa Community (EAC) Chairman. His win comes after several heads of state within EAC voted in his favor.
President Ruto was elected as the EAC Chairman in the 24TH EAC Heads of State Summit currently going on at Arusha in Tanzania.
Ruto will take over from South Sudan President Salva Kiir.
As Kiir was handing over the leadership mantle to President Ruto, Kiir thanked the EAC membership for according him the opportunity to serve them.
“I express my deepest appreciation to the EAC for according me this opportunity. It has been a profound honor to serve this great community,” Kiir said.
On his part, Ruto thanked the South Sudan President for his service to the EAC.
“I would like to thank the outgoing chairman for steering the community for one year,’ President Ruto said.
KENYA'S President William Ruto arrived in Arusha, Tanzania, for the 24th Ordinary Summit of the East African Community (EAC) Heads of State on Friday.
According to an update on Friday, November 29, State House said the summit would focus on the sustainable financing plan for the eight-member economic bloc.
The discussions will include the constitution of the Political Confederation of the East African Community during the two-day session.
Notably, the summit coincides with the celebration of the EAC's 25 years of "remarkable progress" since its revival.
The event provides an opportunity for the EAC, a market of more than 170 million people, to reflect on its achievements, challenges, and the future of regional integration.
The 46th Council of EAC Ministers meeting has also taken place in Arusha, Tanzania, to discuss the progress of the East Africa Community (EAC) integration process.
The Assembly was preceded by consultations among senior officials, including Principal Secretaries that tackled a multiplicity of issues and made recommendations to the Council of Ministers for approval ahead of the 24th Ordinary Heads of State Summit on Saturday, November 30th, 2024.
East Africa Community (EAC), ASALs, and Regional Development Cabinet Secretary (CS), Beatrice Askul, is leading Kenya’s delegation to the meeting, accompanied by Principal Secretary (PS) Abdi Dubat, among other senior government officials.
Key issues include the implementation of the Single Customs Territory (SCT), tariff structures, enhancing trade policies and private sector engagement, reducing turnaround time along EAC corridors, and greater private sector participation in regional trade.
The Council will also discuss the tracking of reforms in the implementation of the EAC Common Market Protocol, monitoring partner states' progress in aligning national laws with the freedoms and rights under the Common Market Protocol.
Other issues under the common market banner include the promotion of EAC Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), harmonisation of regional quality standards for goods and laws, protection of migrant workers' rights, and enhancement of organised labour migration benefits.
The Council of Ministers, chaired by South Sudan's Minister of East African Community Affairs, Mr. Deng Alor Kuol, will propose recommendations towards enhancing industrialisation to reduce the region's reliance on imports and position the EAC as a key player in implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Other issues include strengthening the region's agricultural value chains, addressing climate challenges through climate-smart agriculture, and promoting tourism and wildlife conservation.
On the Monetary Union, the Council will deliberate on tax harmonisation, enhancing democracy and good governance, peaceful elections in Member States, and the creation of the EAC Political Confederation Constitution.