South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit has arrived in Arush, Tanzania ahead of the 23rd East African Community (EAC) Summit.
The President’s arrival is historic as he will assume the chairmanship of the regional economic bloc. Kiir and his accompanying delegation was received by Tanzania’s Minister for Constitution and Legal Affairs Dr Pindi Chana.
Speaking to reporters in Juba on Thursday morning, Lilly Adhieu Martin, the president’s press secretary said Kiir travelled to Tanzania to attend the Ordinary Summit of the EAC Heads of State and Government.
“The main purpose of the trip is not only to participate in the summit, but for H.E the president to take chairmanship of the community from his counterpart, the Burundian president,” she said.
“This is a historic achievement for the people and government of South Sudan to lead the government, achieving regional peace and economic integration,” she added.
According to the press secretary, Kiir’s one-year tenure will give South Sudan a great opportunity to advocate for policies that promote equal and effective regional integration and cooperation.
“As the chairperson for the East African Community, President Kiir will focus on enhancing customs, cross-border trade, mitigation of climate change, crisis management and enhancing regional peace ,” she stated.
South Sudan joined the regional body in April 2016.
Ealier this month, South Sudan’s government paid arrears of $7 million to the regional bloc to avoid termination of its membership.
The EAC now groups Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda. Somalia has been awaiting membership since 2016.