President William Ruto has been elected Chairman of the East African Community (EAC) during the 24th EAC Heads of State Summit in Arusha, Tanzania, following a vote of confidence from the member states’ leaders.
Ruto, who takes over from South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir, has already outlined his first major initiative after the election.
On Saturday, the Kenyan President announced that he and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni will mediate a growing dispute between Ethiopia and Somalia, which poses a threat to regional stability.
The conflict is centered around Ethiopia’s military presence in Somalia, where thousands of Ethiopian troops are deployed to combat al-Qaida-linked insurgents.
Tensions have risen due to Ethiopia’s plan to build a port in Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, in exchange for potential recognition of Somaliland’s sovereignty.
Ruto emphasized the importance of Somalia’s security for regional stability, stating, “It is essential for creating a conducive environment for investors, businesspeople, and entrepreneurs to thrive.”
Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, has struggled to gain international recognition, despite enjoying relative peace and stability compared to Somalia’s ongoing challenges.
The dispute has also led Somalia to strengthen its ties with Egypt, which has longstanding tensions with Ethiopia over the latter’s construction of a massive hydroelectric dam on the Nile, as well as with Eritrea, another rival of Ethiopia.
Previous attempts to resolve the conflict, including talks in Ankara, Turkey, have not led to a lasting solution.
Now, with Ruto assuming leadership of the EAC, he faces the complex challenge of finding a sustainable resolution to the diplomatic tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia.
In November, Ruto held discussions with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres regarding the situation in South Sudan, Sudan, and Somalia, following his visits to South Sudan and Ethiopia.
“Kenya is working closely with the United Nations to restore peace and security in our region.
We are developing a post-African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) strategy to support our neighbor on its journey to peace and stability,” Ruto stated.
After being elected EAC Chairman, Ruto expressed his gratitude to the member states for entrusting him with the responsibility of leading the Summit for the next year.
He acknowledged the achievements made under Salva Kiir’s leadership, highlighting the integration within the EAC member states.
“This is both an honor and a profound duty that I undertake with humility, commitment, and determination.
I pledge to work diligently alongside each member to advance the vision and mission of our community,” the Kenyan President declared.
Ruto also committed to improving the lives of EAC citizens by enhancing competitiveness, promoting value-added production, increasing inter-regional trade, and attracting investment to boost the region’s economies.
