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Arusha: News Agencies
Critical issues and top priorities were discussed at the East African Community summit held in Arusha, Tanzania, to chart the future of the community. Among these were enhancing economic resilience, strengthening peace and security, and promoting trade and development within the region.
In a significant leadership transition, outgoing President Salva Kiir Mayardit formally handed over the community’s leadership to Kenya’s President William Samoei Ruto, who will lead the East African Community for the coming year. This marks a traditional transition of leadership within the group.
In his address, President Kiir noted that the people of East Africa have high expectations regarding regional integration.
“Our citizens’ expectations are for an inclusive, fair, and responsive integration that meets their needs and aspirations for a prosperous, peaceful, and united East Africa.”He said
During his tenure, President Kiir reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring vital dialogue on peace and security within the region. He added, “I have no doubt in my mind that East Africa must be a region where peace is nurtured and sustained.”
In his inaugural speech, the new leader of the community, William Ruto, praised President Kiir for the significant achievements made during the past year. He reaffirmed the vision of the East African Community as a region striving to be prosperous, competitive, secure, stable, and politically united.
President Ruto called for joint efforts among members to achieve the community’s aspirations, emphasizing that the ultimate beneficiaries of such cooperation would be all citizens through enhanced collaboration and sustainable development.
