Democratic Republic of Congo officially admitted to EAC

East African Community (EAC) Heads of State have officially admitted the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) into the East African Community.

The Chair of the Summit of EAC Heads of States Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta announced this during the virtual 19th Extra-Ordinary Summit of EAC Heads of State.

President Kenyatta welcomed the move saying: “Admission of the DRC marks a momentous occasion in the region’s integration history.”  

✨ HISTORY IS MADE!

EAC Heads of State OFFICIALLY admit the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) into the East African Community.

H.E Uhuru Kenyatta,Chair of the Summit of EAC Heads of States announces during the 19th Extra-Ordinary Summit of EAC Heads of State#WelcomeDRC pic.twitter.com/FA37Zds9GM

— East African Community (@jumuiya) March 29, 2022

The Extra-Ordinary Summit is currently being streamed live on the EAC website – http://www.eac.int alongside other EAC social media platforms.

DRC now becomes the 7th member state of the East African Community.

The Summit is preceded by the 48th Extra-Ordinary Meeting of the EAC Council of Ministers, which took place on Friday, 25th March, 2022 to consider the provisional agenda and programme of the 19th Extra-Ordinary Summit of the EAC Heads of State on Admission of the DRC into the EAC.

President Kagame said Rwanda supports the admission of the DRC into the region and stands ready to play its part in supporting the integration of the DRC into the EAC.

Others who welcomed the move were Tanzania President Samia Suluhu.

“The United Republic of Tanzania heartily welcomes DRC into the bloc. KAZI IENDELEE!” H.E Samia Suluhu- President, United Republic of Tanzania@SuluhuSamia @foreigntanzania @ikulumawasliano pic.twitter.com/emckMBwQNw

— East African Community (@jumuiya) March 29, 2022

President Museveni of Uganda while hailing the move, urged leaders to continually strive to ensure peace, security and stability is maintained in the region.

“DRC’s admission into the EAC is a big event as it signals prosperity to the citizens! As leaders let’s continually strive to ensure Peace, Security & Stability is maintained in the region,” H.E Yoweri Museveni, President-Republic of Uganda.@KagutaMuseveni @GovUganda @UgandaMFA pic.twitter.com/BmA0LuTTzJ

— East African Community (@jumuiya) March 29, 2022

Earlier in January, EAC officially launched commencement of the negotiations process of admitting Democratic Republic of Congo as the 7th member of EAC.

At the time the EAC Secretariat said it will finalise its recommendations on the ratification process in the next few days, despite raising infrastructure concerns and insecurity in parts of eastern DRC.

During the January meeting, DRC reaffirmed her willingness to join the East African Community with DRC’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Christophe Lutundula Apala Pen’Apala, saying the country was looking forward to increased trade and investment.

Similarly DRC is also focused on strengthening relations with EAC, adding that her relations with EAC Partner States had largely been at a bilateral level.

Pen’Apala said: “DRC is keen on cooperating with the EAC for maximum exploitation of both natural and human resources in the region.”

He expressed hope that this would be the last round of negotiations before DRC is admitted into the EAC.

The Minister said that DRC has a big population who are consumers that constitute a big market for the EAC, adding that DRC was also in dire need of investors and was therefore offering incentives for entrepreneurs who would like to invest in the country.

Speaking in a media briefing, EAC Secretary General Peter Mathuki noted that EAC expects seamless negotiations with DRC that will result in increased trade and investment opportunities for the benefit of the people of East African Community.

Also read https://www.kbc.co.ke/drc-eac/