The East African Community (EAC) secretary general, Dr. Peter Mathuki, expressed gratitude to President Yoweri Museveni for his inspiring words during a treaty signing ceremony at State House, Entebbe, on Friday.
During the ceremony, attended by dignitaries including Somalia’s President Sheikh Hassan Mohamud and EAC summit chairperson Salva Kiir, Museveni emphasized the historical importance of East African unity, recalling his involvement in the EAC’s revival in 1999.
In his address, Museveni urged East Africans to unite for prosperity and strategic security, emphasizing the need to avoid replicating Latin America’s challenges and instead work towards a united Africa.
The EAC Heads of State summit had previously approved Somalia’s full membership, culminating in the signing of the treaty of accession. The summit directed Kiir to coordinate with Somalia on the signing and outlined a roadmap for Somalia’s integration into the EAC.
With the addition of Somalia, the EAC now comprises eight countries: Burundi, DR Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, and Somalia.
