The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is now a part of the East African Community (EAC). This is after the East African Community (EAC) Heads of State admitted the country into the regional bloc.
The development makes the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) the seventh member and newest member of the East African Community (EAC) after South Sudan.
The President of the Republic of Kenya; President Uhuru Kenyatta made it known while speaking to the East African Community (EAC) Heads of State that the addition of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) into the community would aid in the achievement of the very needed development on the basis of economies of scale.
In the words of President Uhuru Kenyatta who is also the chairperson of the summit, “Today, the 29th, is a historic day in the history of the EAC as we admit the DRC into the EAC. We have already considered and agreed, in our closed session, and the Summit has taken the decision to admit the DRC into the EAC. The admission of the DRC into EAC is historic, not only for our countries but our continent at large.”
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The Secretary General of the East African Community (EAC); Peter Mathuki believes that admitting the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) into the East African Community (EAC) will come with an increase in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) while also expanding the market size making the East African Community (EAC) 300 million people strong. He also believes that it will be mutually beneficial to the East African Community (EAC) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by creating investment opportunities and employment opportunities.
In the words of the Secretary General of the East African Community (EAC); Peter Mathuki, “The EAC now spans from the Indian Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean making the region competitive and easy to access the larger African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).”
He stated that the lower tariffs on goods as well as the removal of trading restrictions among member states of the East African Community (EAC), will lead to goods and services moving with a lot more ease.
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The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)’s admission into the East African Community (EAC) got its approval at the 19th Extraordinary Summit of the East African Community (EAC) Heads of State which was conducted virtually.
The proposal to admit the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was first brought forward by the East African Community (EAC) Council of Ministers which held the 48th Extraordinary Council meeting on the 25th of March 2022 to put the final aspects on the admission plan in place.
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