Democratic Republic of Congo has signed the treaty of Accession to the East African Community as a way of cementing their admission as the 7th member of the community.
DRC President Felix Tshisekedi signed the EAC treaty in Nairobi Kenya on Friday during a ceremony witnessed by Presidents; Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Gen Yoweri Museveni (Uganda) and Paul Kagame (Rwanda) at State House, Nairobi.
President Kenyatta, the current chairperson of EAC Summit of Heads of State, said that the admission of DRC would provide trading and investment opportunities.
He added that Inclusion of DRC into the community will put EAC in a better position to combine resources to develop the much-needed infrastructure, especially the main transit corridors running from East to West.
“Admitting DRC into EAC is historic for our Community and the African continent at large. It demonstrates the agility of the Community to expand beyond its socio-cultural boundaries to new people and trade-centered partnerships and collaboration, thus increasing trade and investment opportunities for the citizens,” said President Kenyatta.
DRC president Tshisekedi said that DRC desires to see the creation of a new Organ in the EAC that is solely focused on mining, natural resources and energy that will be based in DRC.
“Our admission to EAC not only helps our country economically but also strengthens our peace and security within the DRC and the region. It is the desire of the DRC to see the creation of a new organ in the EAC that is solely focused on mining, natural resources and energy that will be based in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo,” he said.
DRC began its process of joining the community in 2019 as it sought to expand and strengthen its trade relations with member countries. Its population is expected to offer member countries a large market for different commodities.
Dr. Peter Mutuku Mathuki the Secretary General of EAC appreciated DRC’s decision to join EAC “I wish to appreciate in very special way the Summit for the commitment in providing impetus to regional integration & guidance towards integration agenda in particular your strategic decision to admit DRC into the EAC,” he said.
Meanwhile DRC now joins Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda in the bloc.
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