DRC admitted to EAC

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has formally joined the East African Community becoming the seventh member state in the bloc.

DRC President Felix Tshishekedi signed the treaty of accession during a ceremony witnessed by Presidents Kenyatta, Yoweri Museveni (Uganda) and Paul Kagame (Rwanda) at State House, Nairobi on Friday.

DRC with a population of 90 million people was officially admitted into the EAC last week.

“I have arrived in Nairobi, Kenya for the Signing Ceremony of the Treaty of Accession to the East African Community by the Democratic Republic of Congo, ”DRC President Tshishekedi said.

This followed a summit of EAC heads of state and government chaired by President Uhuru Kenyatta virtually.

President Kenyatta, the current EAC chairperson, said that the admission of DRC would provide trading and investment opportunities in the region.

“Admitting DRC into EAC is historic for our Community and the African continent at large. It demonstrates the agility of the Community to expand beyond its socio-cultural boundaries to new people and trade-centred partnerships and collaboration, thus increasing trade and investment opportunities for the citizens,” President Kenyatta said.