Why EAC should not include French in its official languages

Editor, Reference is made to the letter, “EAC should include French among its official languages”, (The New Times, October 22). I don’t think it is our fight to maintain and promote a colonial language. Rather, our goal should be to continuously increase African languages’ influence. At least that’s what we should be wishing for. In a pragmatic way, however, English seems to be taking over the whole world and I think we should stick to it. French, on the other hand, is dwindling internationally, even on French soil. Spanish is also needed to consolidate relationships with Latin America, while German is with minor importance. Diop, TorontoCanada ***************** I would say English and Kiswahili are enough for the East African Community. To introduce another language is not a priority at the moment. EAC has enough urgent issues to take care of than adding another language. I voluntarily studied French as a second language in secondary school and university. I like French and France, but I do not support the idea of adding the French language to the official languages of the EAC bloc. Instead of adding more languages for EAC I would rather suggest that we reduce them to only one – Kiswahili. But this is not a priority for now either. Juma, Dar es SalaamTanzania

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Why EAC should not include French in its official languages