President Kagame during the virtual 18th Extraordinary Summit of EAC
This morning, President Kagame participated in the virtual 18th Extraordinary Summit of the East African Community (EAC), chaired by President Uhuru Kenyatta. The summit was themed “Deepening Integration, Widening Cooperation”.
In addition to President Kagame’s remarks, the Summit also heard statements from Heads of State and representatives of EAC member states; Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, South Sudan and Kenya.
The Extraordinary Summit considered two items; the report of the Council of Ministers on the admission of the Democratic Republic of Congo into the EAC and the amendment of the Quorum Rule of the Summit of EAC Heads of State.
Below President Kagame’s remarks:
• Thank you Chairperson of the East African Community, H.E President Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta
• Excellencies, Heads of Government,
• Honourable Ministers, Senior Officials
• Secretary General of the East African Community
Let me once again thank our Chair, President Uhuru Kenyatta for convening this Extra-Ordinary Summit.
I also wish to note that Rwanda welcomes the progress made with regards to the admission in the East African Community, of the Democratic Republic of Congo
We look forward to the prompt conclusion of the remaining admission procedures.
Here, I want to mention that as the year ends, we all continue to confront the challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic.
This threat demands that we work closely together as a region, to protect the health of our people and minimise the disruption to our economies.
Finally, Chair, deepening regional integration will depend on improving the institutional efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the East African Community. Rwanda stands ready to play our part in this important task.
Once again, I thank all of you and wish you a very happy holiday season and a prosperous New Year.
Thank you very much.