ARUSHA – The East African Community (EAC) celebrated its 25th anniversary during the 24th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government in Arusha, Tanzania. The summit, held from November 29 to 30, 2024, brought together leaders from across the region to reflect on the EAC’s achievements and strategize for the future.
Under the theme “Promoting Trade, Sustainable Development, Peace and Security for Improved Livelihoods,” the leaders discussed pressing issues shaping the region. These included strengthening economic resilience, enhancing peace and security, and fostering initiatives to promote intra-regional trade and sustainable development.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda emphasized the importance of embracing a broader historical perspective to advance regional unity. He highlighted the region’s deep historical roots in trade and cooperation, spanning over 1,000 years.
“While we are here to celebrate 25 years of the revised EAC, I propose that we also acknowledge more than 1,000 years of trade connectivity in this region,” said President Museveni. “This historical connectivity created a ‘Connected Trade Area’ (CTA) linking the East African coast, the Savanna lands of central Tanzania, and the Great Lakes region.”
President Museveni also reflected on the challenges of leadership during the pre-colonial era, noting that some chiefs failed to organize against external threats. He praised the vision of East African leaders such as Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, and Dr. Milton Obote, who laid the foundation for the East African Community on June 3, 1963.
President William Ruto of Kenya lauded his Ugandan counterpart, President Museveni, for his pivotal role in promoting East African unity and integration. He reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to advancing the East African Community agenda.
“Mzee, we congratulate you. Having you in our midst reminds us of why this journey is important. You continue to guide us in building a stronger East African Community,” said President Ruto.
President Ruto emphasized the shared belief among East Africans that the EAC project is on the right path, highlighting the collective efforts of member states to deepen socio-economic, cultural, and political integration.
“The EAC treaty is bringing us closer together. It strengthens our shared values and fosters collaboration among member states,” he said.
Reflecting on milestones achieved, President Ruto noted the overwhelming support for the EAC’s political federation since its inception. He commended Uganda, Kenya, and Burundi for their significant strides in consolidating the federation and applauded Rwanda, Tanzania, and South Sudan for setting clear timelines for political integration.
President Ruto further highlighted the EAC’s status as Africa’s most advanced economic bloc. “Today, intra-regional trade within the EAC stands at 25-28%, the highest in Africa,” he noted. He praised the region’s functioning institutions, including the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) and the East African Court of Justice, as cornerstones of its success.
President Ruto underscored the economic benefits of integration, emphasizing the need for a barrier-free market. “We must provide a large enough market for our producers, manufacturers, and businesspeople to trade and invest. A market without barriers is crucial for our prosperity,” he asserted.
The Kenyan President also stressed the link between regional security and economic growth. “It’s impossible to attract investors or do business without peace, security, and stability. That’s why we must collectively invest in the safety of our region,” he said.
President Ruto drew inspiration from the vision of the region’s founding fathers, including Julius Nyerere, Jomo Kenyatta, and Milton Obote. “Though the initial East African Federation didn’t progress as envisioned, we must commend Zanzibar and Tanganyika for uniting to form the United Republic of Tanzania. This demonstrates the power of bold steps towards unity,” he reflected.
Tanzania’s President, H.E Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, expressed deep pride in her country’s role as the custodian of the EAC headquarters. She emphasized the significance of collaboration among member states in achieving the community’s goals.
“This milestone is not just a celebration of the EAC’s existence but also a testament to the unwavering commitment of partner states to unity, peace, and shared prosperity,” she stated. “Tanzania is honored to host the EAC Secretariat, which serves as a symbol of our collective dedication to regional integration and cooperation.”
President Suluhu also commended the strides made over the past 25 years, including the establishment of the Customs Union, the Common Market, and the ongoing efforts toward a Monetary Union. She called for a renewed dedication to the realization of the ultimate goal of a Political Federation.
Dr. Suluhu highlighted the importance of sustainable development, trade facilitation, and infrastructure projects that have been instrumental in improving the livelihoods of East Africans. “Our partnership has brought tangible benefits to millions across our region, but we must remain steadfast in addressing emerging
