French and Kiswahili are set to be incorporated into the treaty for the establishment of the East African Community, which currently recognises English as the official language.

The adoption of French and Swahili is one of the amendments approved at the 24th Ordinary Summit of the East African Community Heads of State held in Arusha, Tanzania, on November 30.

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The summit approved and signed the instrument of adoption of amendments to Article 137 of the EAC treaty to incorporate French and Kiswahili as official languages of the organs and institutions of the community in addition to English, according to the final communique.

The article provides for English as the official language of the EAC, and stipulates that Kiswahili shall be developed as a lingua franca of the Community. A lingua franca is a language adopted and used as a common means of communication among people who do not share a native language.

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Speaking as he assumed Chairmanship of the Summit of the EAC Heads of State, Kenyan President William Ruto commended the recognition of Kiswahili and French as EAC official languages of the eight-country bloc, some of whose members recognise the two languages as official.

"Kiswahili, as a unifying African language, embodies our shared cultural exchange, while French reflects the diversity of our community,” Ruto said.

"This inclusivity strengthens our identity, promotes cohesion, and enhances our capacity to engage effectively globally, and regionally.”

The bloc has eight partner states, namely Burundi, DR Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.

In June 2023, lawmakers at the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) recommended amendments to the EAC Treaty to enforce the recognition of French and Kiswahili as official languages within the Community.

The parliamentarians observed that although the February 2021 Summit of EAC Heads of State had recognised Kiswahili and French as official languages of the bloc, the necessary amendments to the legal instruments, including the Treaty, were not made.

They argued that situation limited the use of the two languages, and the provision of adequate resources to support those who speak them during official proceedings, such as EALA sessions.