EAC: Mathuki holds talks with Kiir on bloc status
AFRICA: THE East African Community (EAC) Secretary General, Dr Peter Mutuku Mathuki on Monday held a briefing meeting with the Chairperson of the Summit of the EAC Heads of State, Salva Kiir, who is also the President of the Republic of South Sudan in the country’s State House in Juba.
In the course, Dr Mathuki congratulated President Kiir on assuming the chairmanship of the Community and assured him of his unwavering support in the discharge of his mandate.
The Secretary General briefed the Chair on a number of issues critical to the progress of the Community in the calendar year 2024 and interventions on strengthening EAC inter-state relations. The deliberations focused on setting targets on deliverables under the leadership of President Kiir and anchored on the need to foster a predictable and stable security environment that can catalyse the regional integration agenda.
In response, the Chairperson noted with concern the interstate political and security dynamics in the region that require urgent intervention.
In his address, he identified a number of interventions that will be activated towards addressing inter-state relations.
Equally, President Kiir committed to assign special envoys to the various capitals to deliver his message, and where necessary engage the leaders to resolve the matters within the framework of the EAC.
In his concern, President Kiir reiterated the need for not only East Africans, but all Africans to embrace the spirit of brotherhood, by addressing arising conflicts through the Regional, Continental and Global Peaceful Conflict Resolution Mechanisms available.
On the ongoing expansion of the bloc, Dr Mathuki updated President Kiir on the Secretariat’s readiness to fast-track the integration of the Federal Republic of Somalia, once the nation deposits the instruments of ratification with the Secretary General.
In turn, President Kiir reiterated his commitment to strengthen the East African Community during his tenure as the chairperson.
