DRC ‘new kid in EAC bloc’
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has officially joined the East African Community in the latest move likely to boost the region’s economy and security with the member states.
The approval of the bloc was made by the EAC Heads of State during their 19th Summit on Monday.
In a statement issued by the EAC, the summit noted the successful conclusion of the negotiations between the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the East African Community for the admission of the Democratic Republic of Congo into the East African Community and commended both parties for this achievement.
“The summit received and considered the report of the 46th extra-ordinary meeting of the council of ministers and the recommendation on the admission of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) into the East African Community. The summit decided to admit the Democratic Republic of Congo as a full member of the East African Community. “
On Monday, the summit designated the President of the Republic of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, as the chairperson to sign the treaty of admission of DRC into the East African Community on April 14, 2022.
“Thereafter the Democratic Republic of Congo shall be required to deposit the instruments of ratification with the secretary-general before 29th September 2022.”
The EAC Heads of State summit have instructed the Council of Ministers to draw a roadmap for the integration of DRC into EAC and deliver their progressive report to the succeeding summit.
It further appealed for economic, political, socio-cultural integration to improve the livelihoods of citizens through competition, value-added production, trade and investment to fast track economic recovery.
On Friday, the EAC Council of Ministers held their 48th Extra-Ordinary meeting, the admission of the Democratic Republic of Congo into the East African Community, that paved the way for Monday’s 19th Summit of Heads of State to consider their report and recommendations on the admission of DRC.
DRC’s commitment
In January 2022, the government of DRC confirmed its commitment to expedite the admission of DRC into the EAC.
The Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Foreign Affairs in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Christophe Pen’Apala, stated that his country was ready to embark on increased trade and investment immediately its membership is approved.
Apala vowed that his country would strengthen bilateral relations with the EAC partner states for maximum exploitation of natural and human resources in the region.
“The DRC was keen on cooperating with the EAC for maximum exploitation of both natural and human resources in the region (and) expressed hope that this would be the last round of negotiations before the DRC is admitted into the EAC,” Pen’Apala said.
“The DRC has a large population of consumers who constitute a large market for the EAC. The DRC is also in dire need of investors and offers incentives for entrepreneurs who would like to invest in the country.”
The DRC has become the seventh and youngest partner state of the East African Community after South Sudan.
