Leaders from the East African Community (EAC) gathered in Arusha for a crucial summit focused on charting a sustainable path toward economic resilience, regional integration, and peace.
The discussions centered on key priorities, including enhancing trade, fostering development, and ensuring stability across member states.
The summit marked a leadership transition, as President Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan handed over the EAC chairmanship to Kenya’s President William Samoei Ruto. In his farewell address, President Kiir emphasized the importance of meeting the high expectations of East African citizens.
“Our people aspire to an inclusive, fair, and responsive regional integration that delivers prosperity, peace, and unity,” President Kiir remarked. Reflecting on his tenure, he reaffirmed his commitment to advancing dialogue on regional peace and security. “East Africa must remain a region where peace is nurtured and sustained,” he added.
In his inaugural speech as Chair, President Ruto commended his predecessor’s achievements and outlined a vision for a stronger, more united East African Community.
He emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to achieve the region’s shared goals, underscoring that the ultimate beneficiaries would be the citizens through increased cooperation and sustainable development.
“The EAC must work together to realize its vision of becoming a prosperous, competitive, secure, and politically united region,” Ruto declared, urging member states to prioritize collective action in the year ahead. The summit reflects the EAC’s commitment to addressing challenges and fostering a future of shared growth and stability for its people.
