Rwanda to vie for EAC Secretary General post

As the tenure of the incumbent Secretary General of the East African Community bloc (EAC), Juma Mwapachu, comes to an end, Rwanda has expressed interest in forwarding a candidate to vie for the post. Mwapachu, a Tanzanian, has been at the helm of the regional bloc for the past decade, and his mandate will expire in April next year. According to the Treaty establishing the body, the Secretary General has to come from a different member state after a 10-year tenure. The Tanzanian media has of late reported that some of the original member states; Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya, have expressed interest occupying the post. However, the three countries have previously occupied the position, which leaves new entrants, Burundi and Rwanda, as the rotational policy stipulates in the treaty. Speaking to The New Times yesterday, Monique Mukaruliza the Minister for EAC affairs said that, Rwanda is ready for the seat of the EAC secretary general. “Under the traditional rotation arrangement, it is supposed to be Rwanda or Burundi’s turn to take over,” she said. “We shall agree with Burundi who comes first because we joined the bloc the same period, but if Burundi agrees we shall occupy the chair,” she explained. She noted that the principle of the treaty of the establishment of the EAC is clear about the occupancy of the post of Secretary General. Minister Mukaruliza stressed that according to Article 67 of the treaty, the Secretary General shall be appointed by the Summit upon nomination by the relevant Head of State under the principle of rotation. She added that upon the appointment of the Secretary General the Partner State from which he or she is appointed shall forfeit the post of Deputy Secretary General. Rwanda currently has Alloys Mutabingwa as Deputy Secretary General in charge of Planning and Infrastructure. Ends

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Rwanda to vie for EAC Secretary General post