Museveni who took the position of leading the EAC from the Tanzanian president John Pombe Magufuri explained his desire of resolving the problem of EPA currently existing during his speech yesterday during the 18th EAC summit at State House in Dar es Salaam few times after being announced as new head of EAC.
Museveni said “EAC countries still need clarifications on several issues contained in EPA, the other issue is that we want to iron out with the EU the issue of sanctions it imposed on Burundi.
How can we discuss and sign the pact when one of our members is under sanctions?” President Museveni was unhappy that the EU slapped Burundi with the block without consulting leaders in EAC, warning the West against intimidating EAC countries into putting ink to the trade agreement.
President Museveni added“Burundi is our (EAC) problem and we will solve it,”.
Earlier, the outgoing Chairman of EAC, President John Magufuli, said member States were yet to decide on the trade deal with Europe pending clarifications on a number of issues.
“There are contentious issues which the EAC must iron out with our partners on EPA such as the decision by UK to exit the EU; it should be noted that UK is among leading investors in Tanzania,” Dr Magufuli said.
President Magufuli cited EPA, conflicts in Burundi and South Sudan as well as EU sanctions on Bujumbura as among challenges he faced during his term as the chair of the regional bloc.
0 comments:
Post a Comment