Germany Ambassador pays courtesy call on EAC Secretary General
The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the United Republic of Tanzania, and also accredited to the EAC bloc, H.E. Egon Kochanke, today paid a courtesy call on Mr Liberat Mfumukeko, the Secretary General of the East African Community.
The Secretary General and his guest discussed a wide range of issues geared towards deepening cooperation between Germany and the East African Community.
Speaking during the discussion, the EAC Secretary General , Mr Liberat Mfumukeko, thanked the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany for its support to the EAC spanning the years since the re-establishment of the Cooperation between the three founding EAC Partner States to the present, when the Community has expanded to include the republics of Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan.
"We have truly benefited from the German support which has catalyzed other Development Partners to support our projects and programmes”
Burundi Peace Process
On the Burundi peace process, the EAC Secretary General , Mr Liberat Mfumukeko briefed H.E Egon Kochanke that Burundi has made substantial progress in establishing and maintaining peace and stability. He noted that attainment of peace and stability in Burundi amounts to peace and stability in the entire region, adding that regional and international stakeholders should actively engage in the attainment of these objectives.
South Sudan Accession to EAC
The EAC Secretary General informed the Germany Ambassador that South Sudan has been given six months to complete the ratification process of the Accession Treaty signed on 15th April 2016, after which the country will be a full member of the EAC.
On his part, H.E. Egon Kochanke congratulated Mr. Mfumukeko for his appointment and noted the impressive progress in the EAC integration process and re-affirmed to the Secretary General his country’s continued support to the EAC Projects and programs. "We are very happy with our relationship with EAC and I am looking forward to a strong partnership in the development of the regional bloc", asserted the Germany Ambassador.
Present at the meeting were the EAC Deputy Secretaries General in charge Planning and Infrastructure, Dr Enos Bukuku, and that of Political Federation, Mr Charles Njoroge, and other officials from the EAC Secretariat.