Kiir given hero’s welcome upon return from Tanzania as head of EAC

JUBA – Hundreds of South Sudanese citizens, mostly supporters of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), on Saturday thronged Juba International Airport to welcome President Salva Kiir Mayardit back from Tanzania’s capital Arusha, where he attended the annual heads of state summit of the East African Community (EAC).

During his stay in Tanzania, Kiir was inaugurated on Friday as the chairperson of the EAC for the next one year, taking over from the Burundian president who had held the position for the past year.

South Sudan, the world’s youngest country, assumed the position seven years after joining the bloc in September 2016.

Upon his return home on Saturday evening, Kiir called for peace in South Sudan and vowed to make the country “proud before the people who have thought that we are unable to do anything regionally.”

His first deputy and main opposition leader Riek Machar said President Kiir’s selection as the head of the EAC is a testament to South Sudan’s ability.

“President Kiir taking over the EAC chairmanship is a sense of pride for the people of South Sudan. It’s a big recognition that we heads the EAC and this is for the first time,” Machar said. “We are all happy that we are part of EAC, and our President is the chair of this community,” he added.

Speaking to Sudans Post, several citizens expressed their satisfaction with the president’s achievement of the regional position, which they see as a recognition of South Sudan’s ability in the eyes of the region and the wider international community.

“We are very happy for our president because he has achieved this title,” Piol, a supporter wearing a red T-shirt and waving South Sudan’s flag said.

“It is not only for him, but it is for the country. The people of the world can now see that we have value in our region and it is because of the faith in South Sudan governance that we are today the leader of East African Community,” he added.

Mary Gatluak, another citizen, who declined to identify with any political party, called on South Sudan’s leaders “to prove to the world that we have what it takes to unite a country by leaving behind their past differences and coming together.”

The welcoming ceremony at Juba airport was attended by senior government officials, including vice-presidents, ministers, and state governors. The event was organized by the governor of Central Equatoria State, Emmanuel Adil Anthony.

Kiir’s assumption of the EAC chairmanship is a significant milestone for South Sudan, signaling the country’s growing influence and stature within the regional bloc. It is also an opportunity for Kiir to showcase his leadership and advance South Sudan’s interests on the regional stage.

The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Somalia.

Its primary objectives revolve around promoting economic cooperation, integration, political stability, and social prosperity among member states.

Established in 1999 with the signing of the East African Cooperation Treaty, the EAC has made significant strides, establishing a Customs Union in 2005, a Common Market in 2010, and is working toward a Monetary Union and a Political Federation.

The history of the East African Community spans several iterations. The initial establishment in 1967 comprised Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda but dissolved in 1977 due to political and economic differences.

In 1993, the East African Cooperation was formed with similar member states, making strides in economic cooperation.

The regional body was re-established in 1999 as East African Community, welcoming Rwanda in 2006, Burundi in 2011, South Sudan in 2016, the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2022, and now Somalia as its eighth member.