Rwanda President Paul Kagame has today taken position as the new Chairperson of the East African Community taking over after Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.
While taking over the leadership of the EAC, President Kagame called on all East Africans to ensure that the community works for the common good of all the people of the region.
This was during the East African Summit that brought together Heads of State from the East African countries as well as top officials and leaders
Regional leaders who met in Arusha today for the 20th Heads of State Summit of the EAC said integration policies resulted in many achievements including the construction of several inter-country link roads, implemented a credits transfer framework for East African Universities, set up several One-Stop Border Posts as well as implemented projects in water and health provision.
During Summit, the Heads of State appointed Lady Justice Sauda Mjasiri of Tanzania to the East African Court of Justice to replace retired judge Justice Edward Rutakangwa
During his address to the EAC Summit President Kagame noted that the EAC is people centered and that the success of the community will be measured by the number of lives impacted by its programmes
President Kagame has prioritized manufacturing, infrastructure development, improvement of healthcare provision and strengthening of security systems in a bid deal with cross border security threats especially terrorism and violent extremism.
East African Community leaders have lauded the regional body for the role it has played towards improving the economies of member countries.
In his remarks, the outgoing EAC chairman President Museveni observed that the East African Community has made tremendous progress towards improving regional economies.
President Kenyatta on his end, said that his agenda in Arusha is to ensure our East African nations are united for the purpose of doing business together.
“We want to break the barriers that prevent the people of the EA community from prospering”he said