EAC post gives Uhuru more clout, say experts

(From L to R) Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza, Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, President Uhuru Kenyatta, host President Yoweri Museveni and Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Kampala on November 30,2012. PHOTO | PSCU 

In Summary

• Kenya also led other African Union members in threatening to withdraw from the statute that created ICC, accusing the court of targeting African leaders.
• Lawyer Atunga Atuti of the East African Law School, said the EAC position gives President Kenyatta a chance to push Kenya’s foreign policy.

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By Nation Reporter
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President Uhuru Kenyatta’s ascendancy to the helm of the East African Community on Saturday will boost his political clout internationally, analysts said.

President Kenyatta took over the chairmanship of EAC at a time when Kenya has been on international limelight over its push for the amendment of the Rome Statute to stop trials of sitting Heads of State and governments at the International Criminal Court.

Kenya also led other African Union members in threatening to withdraw from the statute that created ICC, accusing the court of targeting African leaders.

FOREIGN POLICY

Kenyatta University’s political scientist Joseph Magut said the EAC position comes with more clout for President Kenyatta at the regional level, continentally and internationally.

“President Kenyatta will now wear both hats, the President of Kenya and EAC boss. The about 200 million people in the region alone, gives him sufficient clout. It is a boost for him,” Dr Magut said.

Lawyer Atunga Atuti of the East African Law School, said the EAC position gives President Kenyatta a chance to push Kenya’s foreign policy.

“The President will now be able to assert his presidency at national and regional level. Coming at a time when the ICC has softened the rules on his appearance in court, he could now assert himself as EAC statesman,” Mr Atuti said.

He may also use the position to spearhead various projects started by the community.

“Unlike former President Kibaki who was laid back, President Kenyatta could take advantage of the position and build a long lasting legacy,” Dr Magut said.

President Kenyatta attended the EAC Heads of State and Governments Summit in Kampala where he succeeded President Yoweri Museveni(above) as EAC chairman

It was decided during a council of ministers’ meeting in Uganda last week that President Kenyatta replaces President Museveni as EAC chairman, after Rwanda’s Paul Kagame indicated he was not ready to take over the rotational position. President Kenyatta also met his Tanzanian counterpart Jakaya Kikwete.

On Thursday, EAC, Commerce and Tourism Cabinet Secretary Phylis Kandie also took over the chairmanship of the Community’s Council of Ministers during a meeting in Kampala, Uganda