Sunday April 25, 2021
FILE PHOTO: The flags of some of the member states of the East African Community./Getty Images
The incoming secretary-general of the East African Community Peter Mathuki vowed to oversee a speedy economic recovery of the region following the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic which has wreaked havoc in member states.
Mathuki made the comments on Friday following a handover ceremony with his predecessor, Liberat Mfumukeko of Burundi, whose tenure drew to a close. Mathuki’s five-year tenure is set to officially commence on April 25.
Mathuki also pledged to prioritize the integration process of the bloc, which has a full agenda, including Somalia’s application to join and consultations towards forming a political federation.
“As incoming secretary-general, I will do everything in my power to make sure that the EAC integration process takes its rightful place.”
“The EAC belongs to all of us – the people of East Africa, and I have taken on the duty to work towards a prosperous, secure and politically united region, that is people centered and private sector driven,” he added.
The bloc currently consists of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda Burundi, and South Sudan.