EAC leaders issue appeal over Somalia
President Kibaki congratulates new Judge of the East African Court of Justice Justice Isaac Lenaola shortly after he was sworn-in during the 9th Extra Ordinary Summit held in Dar Es Salaam April 19, 2011. EAC leaders urged the international community to provide financial support to African Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) to facilitate the mission in executing its mandate.
President Kibaki and other East African Community leaders have appealed to the international community to extend more financial and logistical support to the African Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) to facilitate the mission in executing its mandate.
In a joint communiqué issued at Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania by the EAC Heads of State at the conclusion of the 9th Extra-ordinary Summit, the leaders urged the US and European Union to help the Federal Transition Government of Somalia to deepen its footing in restoring peace and thwarting the al-Shabaab insurgents in the country.
The leaders hailed respective African governments that have faithfully continued to shoulder the heavy sacrifice in attempts to restore normalcy in the war-ravaged country for the past two decades.
The EAC leaders noted that the African Union and IGAD’s position was the extension of the AMISOM mission so as to strengthen the Federal government of Somalia.
With regard to Sudan, the regional leaders hailed the people and government of Sudan for holding a peaceful and successful referendum in Southern Sudan early this year.
In the Communiqué, the leaders from the East African Community region appointed a new secretary general, Dr Richard Ssezibera of Rwanda for a non-renewable term of five years taking effect from 25th April, 2011.
The current Secretary-General Juma Mwapachu of Tanzania retires later this month after serving a term of five years.
The East African leaders paid a glowing tribute to Mr Mwapachu who they credited for deepening and catalyzing the integration process of the five partner States.
In the same forum, Justice Isaac Lenaola of Kenya was also appointed as Judge of the East African Court of Justice to replace Justice Benjamin P. Kubo who has retired upon attaining the mandatory retirement age.
During the same occasion the current chairperson of EAC President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi launched a book, “Lake Victoria: A New Frontier for Development of East Africa,” authored by two staff of the regional body’s secretariat, Dr Tom Okurut and Dr Calleb Wegguro.
Other regional Heads of State present included President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Rt Hon Prime Minister Bernard Makuza of Rwanda.
In attendance were ministers, senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps and development partners.
