President William Ruto Elected Chair of East African Community
President William Samoei Ruto of Kenya has been elected as the new chair of the East African Community (EAC), succeeding South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir. Ruto’s appointment was made during the 24th Ordinary Summit of EAC Heads of State, held in Arusha, Tanzania.
The summit, marking the 25th Anniversary of the EAC, brought together regional leaders to reflect on the achievements of the past quarter-century and discuss the path forward for deeper integration across East Africa. President Ruto will serve as chair for the next year, leading the bloc as it focuses on critical issues affecting the region.
Key agenda items at the summit included strengthening the region’s economic resilience, advancing peace and security, and fostering intra-regional trade and development. Leaders also explored strategies to enhance cooperation among member states and address challenges such as climate change, infrastructure gaps, and political stability.
As the new chair, Ruto will play a pivotal role in guiding the EAC’s efforts to further unite its member states economically and politically, with a focus on boosting trade, improving infrastructure, and tackling security concerns within the region.