Rwanda and Burundi are currently in negotiations over which country should be the first to take over the post of the East African Community Secretary General.

This was confirmed, Tuesday, by the Minister for East African Community, Monique Mukaruliza.

"We are in talks with Burundi about who should forward a candidate in the next term and the negotiations are promising, Burundi may allow us to provide the next secretary general” she said.

The mandate of the current SG, Tanzanian Juma Mwapachu, will expire next month.

Some regional news organizations had reported that neither Burundi or Rwanda was in position to take the EAC top job because they are new entrants.

However, according to the Treaty establishing the EAC, the Secretary General position must rotate among member countries. Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania have already held the position.

Makaruliza noted that countries that had expressed interest in occupying the post like Kenya had stepped aside after stakeholders agreed to respect the treaty.

 Rwanda and Burundi acceded to the EAC Treaty on June 18, 2007 and became full members of the Community on July 1, 2007.

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