Divisions among Heads of State at the 17th Extra-Ordinary Summit of the East African Community

The ongoing 17th Extra-Ordinary Summit of the East African Community Heads of State in Tanzania is mainly focusing on the Burundi crisis, matters relating to the Republic of South Sudan, and the swearing in of a new Deputy Secretary General from the Republic of Rwanda.

Member states discussed a peace plan on Burundi’s fragile security situation recommended by the mediation team in the country.

“Despite the challenges being faced in Burundi, we are making efforts to restore peace in that country,” said Tanzania’s President John Magufuli.

The leaders also received and reviewed a report on an Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union.

“We agreed that the economic partnership agreement, although already signed by two countries, we are going to allow ourselves three months so that we can move together with the rest in the signing of that agreement and we have therefore asked the secretariat to communicate that position of the summit to our friends on the other side, in the EU,” said Kenya’s Deputy President, William Ruto.

But after a series of discussions, Tanzania and Burundi said they needed more time before they could sign the agreement.