Uganda’s Museveni assumes chairmanship of East African Community
Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni Saturday assumed the chairmanship of the East African Community (EAC), taking over from Kenya’s President William Ruto during the 25th Ordinary Summit of the bloc.
Museveni received the symbols and emblems of power to lead the organization for the next 12 months.
During the summit of EAC Heads of State in Arusha, Tanzania, regional leaders adopted a series of major financial reforms, aimed at cleaning up the regional bloc's finances and strengthening budgetary discipline among member states.
Among the key resolutions, regional lawmakers will now be paid by their national parliaments from December 2027.
The summit adopted a new financing formula for the Community of 50% (equal Partner State contributions) and 50% (assessed contributions) with effect from July 1, without fail.
It also decided to waive, as a one-off, 50% of all arrears due from all Partner States, due to the prevailing circumstances in the Partner States, on condition that the remaining 50% is paid within two years from March 7.
The summit was held under the theme: "Deepening integration to improve the living conditions of the citizens of the EAC".
According to the organizers, the meeting reaffirmed the commitment of the partner states to advance regional integration and the sustainable development of the Community.
“The wealthy countries in the community with strong economies must contribute more. And in this way, the countries with large economies that benefit more will contribute more,” said Ruto, the outgoing chair of the bloc.
The Summit was preceded by an extraordinary meeting of the EAC Council of Ministers, the Community's main decision-making body, which is responsible for preparing issues for consideration and decision by the Heads of State.
It was held amid continued deterioration of the security situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, one of the member countries of the EAC due to fighting between Congolese government forces and AFC/M23 rebels.
Museveni was joined by Burundi’s president Evariste Ndayishimiye, current chair of the African Union, Ruto, and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of Somalia.
South Sudan’s Salva Kiir was represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Semaya Kumba while Rwanda’s Paul Kagame was represented by his Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva.
Also absent was Congolese president Felix Tshisekedi, who was represented by his Minister of Regional Integration, Floribert Anzuluni Isiloketshi.
