President Yoweri Museveni has hailed the East African Community (EAC) for accepting South Sudan as a member saying this reminds the community of the three purposes of integration mainly; How to survive in a competitive world; how to guarantee prosperity as a region and how to be secure in the modern world.
Museveni was today speaking during the 17th Ordinary Summit of the East African Community Heads of State at the Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge, Arusha, in Tanzania.
The summit is being held under the theme: EAC: ‘Advancing Market-Driven Integration’.
“On this day when South Sudan joins the East African Community, we need to remind ourselves of the main purpose of our integration in three words; How to survive in a competitive world; How can we guarantee our prosperity. We are prosperous by buring from each other and; How to be secure in this modern world,” he said adding that China, India and the United States of America were highly competitive while Europe defends itself through NATO despite each individual country being strong.
“Here we are scattered. I thank God that he has given me a long life to see all these things. We must ensure means for the survival of the black people,” he said.
He said that we must strive for prosperity as a way forward. He challenged the summit and other leaders to work towards our security in the modern world.
President Museveni said that with South Sudan joining the East African Community, the regional block’s geographical area is now almost the same size as India.
President John Pombe Magufuli who has retained the EAC chair was pleased to note that the Community has recorded a lot of progress including movement of goods with the transit time for goods from Mombasa to Rwanda reduced from 21 to 6 days and to Uganda by three days. He noted that the region was endowed with abundant resources.
On Industrialization, Magufuli called for industrialization in the region.
“There is a critical factor for industrialization. Today we produce commodities that we do not consume and we consume what we do not produce. This trend must stop,” he said noting that the community was working towards promoting textiles and leather industries in the region. He thanked the East African leaders and other officials for their contribution in promoting the Community.
Magufuli called for tolerance in the East African Community and said that while each country has its own challenges, the community must remain united for development.
Magufuli lashed out at the EAC secretariat over being extravagant saying while it budgeted for US$ 50 per person at the Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge, it would have saved about US$20 dollars if they had held the conference at their headquarters.
He reminded the EAC officials that there was need to save for the sake of the poor people and reminded them that they were there for the benefit of the poor population.
EAC launches new international East African e-Passport
The summit also saw the new Chairman of the EAC President Magufuli lead the launch of the new international East African e – passport that will easy transport in the region and internationally.
Among others, the document is designed to facilitate the fight against international crime.
EAC retains Museveni as Burundi mediator appoints Mkapa facilitator
The EAC 17th EAC Summit also clarified that President Yoweri Museveni is the EAC appointed mediator for Burundi and that it has also appointed former Tanzania President Benjamin Mkapa as lead facilitator. Mkapa will be reporting to President Museveni as mediator.
President Magufuli hailed Museveni for working tirelessly with the people in Burundi to restore peace and called on the people of Burundi to support his efforts so that lasting peace is achieved in Burundi.
The host, Tanzanian President Joseph Pombe Magufuli while addressing the summit as the Chairman paid tribute to President Museveni for working tirelessly to enable the parties in Burundi to resolve their differences. He prayed the East African member country gets lasting peace. He looked forward to improved trade among the EAC members.
EAC Heads of State welcome South Sudan to Community
The 17th EAC summit saw South Sudan join the East African Community as a full member, a move described by South Sudanese Second Vice President James Wani Iga as a historical event for his country. Iga who represented President Salva kiir said this was not just about politics but about Economics and history. “This is where we belong,” he said.
Leader after leader hailed the move by the community for bringing South Sudan into the fold said it will ensure prosperity for the people through a big market.
Ugandan student wins EAC essay competition
A Ugandan student Oscar Azookire of Luyanzi College in Bweyogere emerged fourth with a cash prize of US$ 750 in an EAC essay writing competition among the five east African states. The Competitions launched by President Yoweri Museveni 12 years ago to sensitize the youth about the benefits of the EAC integration and the role of the youth in the process saw all the finalists get certificates and the first prize of a certificate and US$1500 went to Simon Sabaya Nolel from Nzumbe SS in Tanzania, second prize went to Beryl Njoki Mungai of Kerugoya girls in Kenya who won US$1000, third prize went to Iteka Greta of cornerstone Leadership academy of Rwanda while the 5th position went to Irumra Arni Aley of D’Cee Notre Dame De Rohero of Burundi who got US$650.
While handing over the certificates President Magufuli insisted to see the money for the beneficiaries handed to them alongside the certificates. All the winners had presidential handshakes with all the Heads of state.
Magufuli hailed on election, Museveni on re-election, Kagame on referendum
The EAC leaders also congratulated the new Chairman of the EAC President Magufuli upon his recent election to the Presidency of Tanzania and also congratulated President Museveni on his re-election that was described by the East African Business Council’s Dennis Karera as an obvious win. The leaders also congratulated President Kagame upon the successful referendum.
