During the next ordinary meeting of the East African Community (EAC) Heads of State Summit, South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit is expected to assume the role of chairman.
This year marks the end of Burundi’s one-year presidency of Evariste Ndayishimiye. President Kiir will replace him.
The EAC heads of state summit is expected to take place next week in Arusha, Tanzania on November 23-24 where the EAC heads of state are also expected to discuss climate change and food security.
During a meeting of EAC delegates in September, Dr Peter Mathuki disclosed Kiir’s chairmanship schedule.
Kiir is expected to be the next Chair of the East African Community following Burundi. Kiir’s nomination as chairman is a testament to South Sudan’s commitment to regional integration,” said Dr Mathuki.
Kiir is expected to steer the regional bloc at a time when the region is holding discussions on regional peace and security, particularly the crisis in Sudan and the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where South Sudan has deployed troops as part of the East African Regional Force to help restore peace in the DRC.
The EAC chairmanship is a rotating position that is held by each member state for a one-year term.
Burundi’s President Ndayishimiye is the current EAC chairperson, elected by East African heads of state at the 22nd Ordinary Summit of EAC Heads of State in Arusha, Tanzania, in July last year.
He replaced then Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta.
There are seven member countries that make up the EAC, including Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania. Its headquarters is in Arusha, Tanzania.
