Deputy President William Ruto has said the East African Community (EAC) member states will intensify their push for more integration in the region.

He said Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and Kenya have the capacity to trade and invest more among themselves.

Addressing the press on the sidelines of the Africa Now Summit 2019 in Munyonyo, Uganda, on Wednesday, Dr Ruto said increased intra-EAC would offer massive opportunities to the region’s growing population, particularly the youths.

“We have what it takes to resolve any issues arising between EAC member states that may hamper our coming together,” noted the Deputy President.

He said leaders in East Africa will continue working hard “to ensure what we have achieved so far does not go to waste”.

He added that the five-member states were working towards eliminating barriers to trade, and cross-border investments.

“It is our desire that a Ugandan citizen would freely work in Rwanda, and a Tanzanian work in Kenya or even Burundi without blockades,” he said.

Ruto argued that a stronger EAC would act as a critical foundation in the creation of a united Africa.

He said African countries should draw lessons from Brexit, and forge a continent that would see expanded free movement of goods, services and labour.

A united Africa, he noted, had the capacity to shape the global economic development.

Earlier, the Deputy President held bilateral talks with President Yoweri Museveni, Somalia President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed and Tanzania Vice President Samia Suluhu.

The leaders discussed issues of mutual interest.

Source: KBC

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