ARUSHA: MINISTER for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo (MP) has led Tanzania’s delegation to the 46th ordinary meeting of the East African Community (EAC) Council of Ministers held in Arusha on Thursday.
Minister Kombo, who attended the meeting for the first time since he was appointment to the position by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, joined his fellow ministers responsible for East African Affairs and Regional Cooperation within the Community.
The ministers reviewed, discussed and approved various agenda proposals aimed at improving the Community’s performance for the benefit of the Member States.
The proposals were presented at the 24th Summit of the Heads of State of the regional bloc that started yesterday through today for endorsement. Contributing to the various agenda presented at the meeting, Minister Kombo assured his fellow ministers of cooperation from both himself and Tanzania in general.
He also invited the ministers to visit Tanzania, particularly the Arusha Region, and encouraged them to actively participate in the celebrations of the 25th anniversary of the EAC which commenced on November 28 and is expected to be concluded today.
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Among the agenda discussed and approved by the Council were the report on the implementation of various resolutions adopted in previous Council meetings; a report from the Office of the Secretary General of the East African Community; an update on the implementation of various programmes in sectors such as infrastructure, customs and trade, tourism, and employment; the annual audit report of the Community’s accounts for the period from January to June 2024; and the report of the Administration and Finance Committee.
The Council reviewed and approved the schedule of activities for the regional bloc for the period between January and June 2025. Other issues discussed included the 25th anniversary celebrations of the establishment of the EAC, which culminated yesterday.
The ministers’ meeting was preceded by sessions of experts and Permanent Secretaries from the Member States, held from November 22 to 27, 2024.
The East African Community (EAC) Council of Ministers is responsible for formulating policies for the community, monitor, and regularly review the implementation of various programmes for the broader benefit of the Member States.
The East African Community, comprising eight countries—Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan, DR Congo, and Somalia—has continued to ensure that citizens in the respective countries benefit from the integration, particularly in areas such as trade, defense and security, industry, agriculture, infrastructure, and social services.
