President Paul Kagame held discussions with the Secretary General of the East African Community (EAC), Stephen Patrick Mbundi, focusing on strengthening cooperation between Rwanda and the regional bloc.
According to a statement from the Office of the President, Village Urugwiro, the talks held on June 17 centered on Rwanda’s continued commitment to regional cooperation and deeper integration within the EAC.
The statement said the discussions reflected Rwanda’s willingness to further enhance collaboration with partner states in advancing regional unity, development, and integration.
Mbundi is in Rwanda as part of a nationwide consultation exercise aimed at gathering citizens’ views on a draft legal framework guiding the political and institutional integration of EAC member states.
At the launch of the consultations, he stressed that the future of the region should be shaped through inclusive citizen participation, in line with the EAC Treaty.
He noted that the Treaty is founded on the principle that citizens are central to the Community’s development and governance, underscoring the importance of public input in shaping major decisions on the bloc’s future.
“The Treaty of the East African Community is grounded in the principle that citizens are the foundation of the Community’s development and operations. It is therefore essential that citizens of all member states are consulted and actively involved in shaping major decisions concerning the future of the region. Their input is critical in ensuring a political federation that is inclusive, credible, and aligned with the aspirations of East Africans,” he said.
The process of developing a framework for deeper political integration began in 2018, following a decision by the 18th Summit of Heads of State and Government held in 2017.
Mbundi assumed office as EAC Secretary General on March 7, 2026, succeeding Kenya’s Veronica Nduva, who had served since 2024.
Rwanda has been a member of the East African Community for 19 years and continues to participate actively in regional integration efforts aimed at strengthening trade, mobility, and political cooperation.
