The East African Community (EAC) today marked a significant milestone as it celebrated 25 years of regional integration and cooperation during the 24th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government in Arusha, Tanzania.
Held under the theme, “Promoting Trade, Sustainable Development, Peace and Security for Improved Livelihoods”, the high-profile event brought together leaders from across the region to reflect on the EAC’s achievements and strategize for the future.
The summit which began on November 29th, will conclude tomorrow, November 30th, 2024, at Arusha International Conference Center.
The Heads of State discussed pressing issues shaping the region, focusing on strengthening economic resilience, enhancing peace and security and fostering initiatives to promote intra-regional trade and sustainable development.
In their remarks, the leaders highlighted the remarkable progress the EAC has made since its re-establishment in 1999.
Originally a three-member bloc, the community has grown to include eight member states; Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Somalia representing a combined population of over 300 million people.
During the high level side meeting, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni called for EAC to build on its 25-year journey of integration by embracing a broader historical perspective and advancing the cause of regional unity.
The President highlighted the region’s deep historical roots in trade and cooperation, spanning over 1,000 years.
“While we are here to celebrate 25 years of the revised EAC, I propose that we also acknowledge more than 1,000 years of trade connectivity in this region,” said President Museveni.
He pointed to evidence of ancient trade, such as the glass beads, pottery, and cattle bones unearthed in Uganda’s Bigo bya Mugenyi, which date back to between 900 AD and 1350 AD.
These items, he explained, were not locally produced but came from as far as Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) through established trade routes.
This historical connectivity, President Museveni emphasized, created a “Connected Trade Area” (CTA) linking the East African coast, the Savanna lands of central Tanzania and the Great Lakes region.
“This trade area was thriving long before the Europeans arrived in 1498,” he said, but disclosed that colonialism disrupted the region’s unity and economic networks.
Reflecting on the challenges of leadership during the pre-colonial era, President Museveni noted, “Some of our chiefs let us down by failing to organize against external threats. When Vasco da Gama arrived on the East African coast in 1498, it marked the beginning of our disconnection, which was exacerbated by colonial powers.”
