EAC directs implementation of Kiswahili, French as official languages

JUBA – The East African Community (EAC) heads of state on Saturday directed the council of ministers to implement the adoption of Kiswahili, French as official languages of the bloc.

The East African Community heads of state during the 22nd ordinary summit instructed the Council of Ministers to expedite its implementation.

“The summit received an update on the status of inclusion of French and Kiswahili as official languages of the community in addition to English and considered a roadmap on the implementation of Kiswahili and French as official languages of the community and directed the council to expedite the implementation of the roadmap,” read part of communiqué of EAC Heads of State issued on Saturday.

Currently, the EAC has been using English as its official language.

In April 2022, the Sectoral Council on Education, Science, and Technology, Culture and Sports (SCESTCS) adopted the UNESCO declaration of July 7 as World Kiswahili Language Day and directed the EAC secretariat to include it in the calendar of activities as an annual EAC event.

It also approved the inaugural EAC World Kiswahili Language Day to be celebrated in Zanzibar on July 7, 2022, under the coordination of the East African Kiswahili Commission, said the statement.

EAC member states are Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.