From: Arrum Tidi
News Analysis By Leo Odera Omolo.

PRESIDENT Yoweri Kaguta of Uganda is the newest chairman of the East African Community {EAC} for the next one year.

Museveni takes over from President Mwai Kibaki of Kenya who had been heading the regional economic bloc for the last one year.

Kibaki handed over the chairmanship to his Ugandan counter-part during the 14 extraordinary summits of the Heads of State of the East African Community which was held in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi last Friday. The meeting which was attended by the Presidents of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi took place at the Kenyatta International Conference {KICC}, Nairobi.

The change over is in accordance with the article 12 of the East African Community Treaty that stipulates that the tenure of the EAC chairperson of the summit be held for one year on rotation among the partner states.

President Kibaki took over the chairmanship from President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi in November last year.

Among the far-reaching issues tackled by the Heads of States of the EAC last weekend was the deliberation and acceptance of the South Sudan, which has been pushing hard to join the enlarged regional bloc.

The election of President Museveni was in accordance with the Article 12 of the EAC Treaty, that stipulates that the chairperson of the EAC be held for one year among the five partner states on rotation. President Kibaki took over from President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burindi in November last year.

Among the far-reaching decision arrived at the last weekend summit in Nairobi include the acceptance of the South Sudan membership of the East African Community. The application by the Juba regime went a notch high when the heads of state and governments of the East African Community approved verification for the Juba regime to join the fast growing regional economic bloc. There has been persistent by South Sudan to join the now enlarged regional economic bloc.

The last week’s approval of the South Sudan membership to the EAC, now bring the number of countries partner states to a total six. They included Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rawanda and Burundi.

The presidents in attendance were Kibaki {Kenya}Yoweri Museveni {Uganda},Jakaya Kikwete {Tanzania} Paul Kagame {Rwanda} and Pierre Nkrunziza of Burundi.

Earlier fears had persisted about South Sudan security and personal safety of the nationals of its immediate neighbors Kenyan Uganda following reports that several Kenyan businessmen and professionals operating in its capital of juba have died mysteriously in the hands if those suspected to be members of South Sudan poorly trained security personnel. The county is still said to have yet to organize its judiciary system and proper police authorities to ensure that justice is done to the families most of those Kenyans and Ugandan who have lost their lives while working and living in South Sudan.

The summit resolved that the East African Community Council of Ministers should start negotiations at the verification work.

The Ministers were also told that they should explore this for the EAC to work constructively with the Somalia, A communique issued on behalf of the Summit by the EAC Secretary General Dr Richard Sozibera said in part. get in touch with Somalia,a country which is urgently still entangled in the chains of political turmoil to verify its application for consideration by the EAC for its membership.

of the Heads of States, which held at the plenary hall at the Kenyatta International Conferee center {KICC} in Nairobi on 28-29

The EAC summit also expressed its support or Burundi’s membership of the British Commonwealth and also supported Rwanda admission to the U Security Council.

The summit also supported regional efforts being undertaken under the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region under the chairmanship of President Museveni to ensure peace in the DRC Congo’s northern Kivu region.

President Museveni who chaired the Great Lakes Conference blamed ideological disorientation. support private sector, poor infrastructure and discovery of oil and gas and other minerals would ensure development in less than 50 years.

Museveni said there is enough market for goods produced in EAC countries and the improved infrastructure.

He promised that he would continue to fight myopic by parasitic and civil servants.

ends