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THE SIGNING CEREMONY OF THE TREATY OF ACCESSION TO EAC BY DRC
- Published On: 2022-04-08
On 8th April 2022, KEPSA CEO Ms. Carole Kariuki was among the invited private sector leaders representing KEPSA as Kenya Focal Point for East African Business Council (EABC) during the signing ceremony of the treaty of accession to the East African Community (EAC) by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) at the State House Nairobi. Other private sector representatives were Mr. Nik Nesbitt as KEPSA Director for EAC and EABC chairman together with Mr. James Mwangi – CEO of Equity and his team. The treaty was signed by the President of DRC H.E Felix Tshisekedi and the President of the Republic of Kenya H.E Uhuru Kenyatta who is the Chair of EAC.
The signing ceremony was attended by the President of Rwanda H.E Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Uganda H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Cabinet Secretaries, Principles Secretary, Ambassadors and other dignitaries from the seven EAC nations. This event follows the admission of DR Congo into the EAC as the seventh member of the regional bloc during the virtual 19th Extraordinary Summit of EAC Heads of State chaired by President Kenyatta on 29th March 2022.
During the event, President Kenyatta exuded confidence that the Community shall develop a mechanism for the speedy ratification by DRC of the admission of submissions of the Community to the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA) processes. “As agreed by the EAC partner states, the joint submission by EAC will strengthen our voice in the AfCFTA,” President Kenyatta said.
While expressing his excitement to join the EAC, President Tshisekedi that his country was keen on contributing to and benefiting from the multilateral body. He also said that the admission of DR Congo into the EAC was a fulfilment of dreams held by his country’s ancestors more than 60 years ago, adding that it marked a decisive shift in the country’s foreign and economic policy.
Presidents Museveni and Paul Kagame of Rwanda as well as EAC Secretary General Dr. Peter Mutuku Mathuki and Kenya’s Industrialization and Trade Cabinet Secretary Betty Maina who holds the East African Community docket in acting capacity also spoke during the ceremony.