President Paul Kagame of Rwanda on Friday assumed Chairmanship of the East African Community (EAC).
This took place during the 20th Ordinary Summit of the East African Community (EAC) Heads of State held in Arusha, Tanzania.
He takes over from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda.
President of #Rwanda @PaulKagame takes over Chairmanship of the #EAC Heads of State Summit #EACSUmmit
— East African Community (@jumuiya) February 1, 2019
The summits’ theme was ‘Enhancing Economic, Social and Political Integration of the East African Community’.
Kagame said it was a time to reflect on the “Meaning and value of this Community which is important to all of us.”
“It is an opportunity to address whatever challenges exist directly and frankly so that we can move confidently together into the future,” said Kagame in his remarks after accepting his new role.
“We cannot afford to fall behind particularly when the EAC was starting to make good progress. It is up to us to ensure that this community works for us as it should…Our Treaty is clear that the East African Community is people-centered. This should inform all our reflections and actions.”