EAC Treaty under review for revision

The East African Community (EAC) is reviewing its founding treaty for possible revision in the near future, according to local press reports on Friday.

English newspaper Daily News quoted an insider source as saying that review process of the treaty had already gone underway.

Wilbert Kaahwa, counsel to the community, told the newspaper that proposed changes would be presented to the EAC Council of Ministers which is expected to meet prior to the EAC summit.

The presidents of the three EAC member states of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are to meet on Nov. 29-30 to discuss, among other matters, the accession of Burundi and Rwanda.

The existing EAC treaty was concluded on Nov. 30 of 1999 by former Kenyan president Daniel arap Moi, former Tanzanian president Benjamin Mkapa and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.

The treaty came into force on July 7, 2000 when the three east African countries revived their regional economic integration process.

The treaty provides for the establishment of the EAC as an international organization charged with integration of the partner states as well as for the principles behind the objectives of the EAC and its areas of cooperation.

Source: Xinhua