President Kenyatta calls for support of regional integration

President Uhuru Kenyatta with EAC Ministers for Foreign Affairs when they paid him a courtesy call at State House, Nairobi. From left: Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs Amina Mohamed, Minister for State for Foreign Affars - Uganda Asuman Kiyingi, Minister for Foreign Affairs Tanzania Bernard K Membe, Cabinet Secretary for East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism Phylis Kandie, Minister for East Africa Community - Rwanda Jacqueline Muhongayire, Deputy Secretary in Charge of Political Affairs Charles Njoroge, Minister for Foreign Affairs - Burundi Laurent Kavakure. PHOTO | PSCU  PSCU

In Summary

• President Kenyatta affirmed his commitment and that of other leaders in the EAC to full implementation of integration projects

By PSCU
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President Uhuru Kenyatta has urged East Africans to remove hurdles that hinder fast-tracking of the East African Community (EAC) integration.

The President, who was speaking when he hosted EAC foreign affairs ministers at State House Nairobi, said East Africans should learn from the mistakes of the past and build a firm foundation for the integration.

“We must intensify efforts to ensure the EAC works for better livelihoods of people in this region,” President Kenyatta, who is the current EAC chairman, said.

He affirmed his commitment and that of other leaders in the EAC to full implementation of integration projects including infrastructure initiatives according to timelines.

“Our people look to us as leaders to provide direction. I have no doubt that we can make a difference in their lives by expanding markets for goods and services to create more opportunities through integration,” the President said.

The ministers briefed the President on their 12th meeting of the Sectorial Council on Foreign Policy Coordination which was chaired by Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amb. Amina Mohamed in Nairobi.

Tanzania’s Foreign Minister Bernard Membe thanked the President for infusing new life to the integration process as the current EAC chair.

Mr Membe particularly commended the President for providing political leadership and rallying other leaders together to hasten the integration exercise.

SOUTH SUDAN CRISIS

During the sectorial council meeting, the ministers reviewed the on-going crisis in South Sudan and the impact on the overall political and security situation in the world's youngest nation. (READ: UN envoy reports child soldiers in S. Sudan)

The ministers regretted the escalation of the conflict and deterioration of the humanitarian situation and urged parties to the conflict to expedite the negotiations in pursuit of a political solution.

The ministers also called on the South Sudanese leadership and armed groups to open humanitarian corridors and robustly ensure protection of the civilian population.

In a communique released after the meeting, the ministers also called on all humanitarian organisations to provide the necessary assistance to the civilian population in distress.

They reaffirmed the commitment of the East African Community partner states to facilitate an all-inclusive dialogue among stakeholders and provide any other assistance in the cessation of hostilities.

The delegation was led by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Cabinet Secretary Amb. Amina Mohamed and included EAC Cabinet Secretary Phillis Kandie, Uganda’s minister of State for Foreign Affairs Asuman Kiyingi, Laurent Kavakure, Foreign Minister of Burundi and Jacqueline Muhongayire, the East African Community Minister of Rwanda