19th EAC Ordinary summit

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19th EAC Ordinary summit
The 19th Ordinary summit of Heads of State of The East African Community
Host country Uganda
Date23 February 2018
Venue(s)Speke Resort, Munyonyo
Cities Kampala
ParticipantsFlag of Burundi.svg  Burundi
Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya
Flag of Rwanda.svg  Rwanda
Flag of South Sudan.svg  South Sudan
Flag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania
Flag of Uganda.svg  Uganda
Follows 18th EAC Ordinary summit
Precedes 20th EAC Ordinary summit

The 19th EAC Ordinary summit was held on 23 February 2018 in Kampala, Uganda. The focus of the summit was deepen regional integration through infrastructure development and financing for health. [1] on the agenda of the meeting was the status of the EAC political federation and the speedy integration of South Sudan. [2]

Contents

Participants

CountryTitleDignitary
Flag of Burundi.svg  Burundi Vice President Gaston Sindimwo
Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta
Flag of Rwanda.svg  Rwanda Minister of Trade and East African Affairs James Musoni
Flag of South Sudan.svg  South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit
Flag of Uganda.svg  Uganda President Yoweri Museveni
Flag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania President John Magufuli

Agenda

Manufacturing

Various sectors of development were discussed as a sector of growth such as Textile, Apparel and Agro-processing. A major focus for boosting regional manufacturing, the heads of states directed the EAC council to work on the process to harmonize the automotive industry regulations in the region. The leaders are looking to help reduce the importation of used vehicles and in turn grow the local vehicle assembly and manufacturing businesses. [3]

Economic Partnership Agreement

The European Economic Partnership agreement continues to be and important trade agreement that is still pending partner state approval. Museveni continued to reiterate that he is engaging with EU officials to ensure that a satisfactory agreement is agreed upon soon. Kenya & Rwanda are still the only members to sign the EU-EAC EPA. [4] [5]

New members

The council continued to guide the body to fast track the integration of South Sudan into the trade bloc. Political issues and funding has stagnated the process of integrating the new member into the block. Moreover, the EAC council had not as discussed the report that was presented at 18th EAC Ordinary summit to analyze the admission criteria for Somalia. The council aimed to discuss this at the next summit.

Related Research Articles

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1. The legal basis for [association agreements'] conclusion is Article 217 TFEU
2. Intention to establish close economic and political cooperation ;
3. Creation of paritary bodies for the management of the cooperation, competent to take decisions that bind the contracting parties;
4. Offering most favoured nation treatment;
5. Providing for a privileged relationship between the EC and its partner;
6. Since 1995 the clause on the respect of human rights and democratic principles is systematically included and constitutes an essential element of the agreement;
7. In a large number of cases, the association agreement replaces a cooperation agreement thereby intensifying the relations between the partners.

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The Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States is a group of countries in Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific that was created by the Georgetown Agreement in 1975. Formerly known as African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP), the organisation's main objectives are sustainable development and poverty reduction within its member states, as well as their greater integration into the world's economy. All of the member states, except Cuba, are signatories to the Cotonou Agreement with the European Union.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">East African Community</span> Intergovernmental organisation for African countries

The East African Community (EAC) is an intergovernmental organisation in East Africa. The EAC's membership consists of eight states: Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Federal Republic of Somalia, the Republics of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania. William Ruto, the president of Kenya, is the current EAC chairman. The organisation was founded in 1967, collapsed in 1977, and was revived on 7 July 2000. The main objective of the EAC is to foster regional economic integration.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">2nd European Union–African Union Summit</span> Second summit between heads of state and government from EU and Africa

The 2nd European Union - African Union Summit, which was held on 8 December – 9 December 2007 in Lisbon, Portugal, was the second summit between heads of state and government from EU and Africa. It was hosted by Portugal, the holder of the EU's rotating presidency. During the summit, the "Joint EU-Africa Strategy", the "Action Plan" and the "Lisbon Declaration" were adopted.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">East African Federation</span> Proposed African country

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa</span> Regional economic community including eastern and southwestern African states

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Sudan–Uganda relations</span> Bilateral relations

South Sudan and Uganda are neighboring states with strong cultural economic and political ties. The South Sudan and the neighbouring state of Uganda enjoy relatively strong cultural, political, and economic ties. As South Sudan neared independence, both states begun to take advantage of increased opportunities for trade, development and educational exchanges. The rebel group Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), however, continues to operate in the border areas between South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Economy of South Sudan</span>

South Sudan became the world's newest country and Africa's 55th nation on 9 July 2011. The South Sudanese Civil War, which started in December 2013, undermined economic development achieved since independence, making humanitarian work difficult to conduct within the country. As such, South Sudan is facing economic stagnation and instability in its first 10 years after independence. Moreover, poverty is widespread throughout the country as a result of inter-communal conflict, displacement, and the negative effects of the war in Sudan on the country's oil industry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Presidency of Uhuru Kenyatta</span>

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References

  1. PSCU (22 February 2018). "President Kenyatta travels to Uganda for EAC Summit » Capital News". Capital News. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  2. "JOINT COMMUNIQUÉ: 19TH ORDINARY SUMMIT OF HEADS OF STATE OF THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY". www.eac.int. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  3. "Campaign for joint EA vehicle assembly engages top gear". The East African. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  4. "East African nations approve individual trade pacts with EU if joint deal not reached". Reuters. 2 February 2019. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  5. "EAC SUMMIT: Museveni promises to resolve EPA disagreement". The Independent Uganda. 20 May 2017. Retrieved 4 June 2017.