Burundi says it respects appointment of Kagame as EAC Chairman

Burundi took note and refrained from opposing the appointment of Rwandan President Paul Kagame as President of the East African Community (EAC).

The Rwandan President has been appointed to succeed his Ugandan counterpart, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, at the end of the 20th Summit of Heads of State of that community, held on Friday, 1 February in Arusha, Tanzania, a succession made according to the principle of rotating Presidency in force at the EAC.

“Burundi has taken note of the appointment of President Kagame. There was no objection, “Burundi First Vice President Gaston Sindimwo, who represented President Pierre Nkurunziza at the Arusha Summit, told a local radio station.

Heads of State “wanted it that way. We could not say no, “he said, adding that his country’s attitude towards Kagame’s appointment was unexpected for the sub regional organization.

Indeed, Kagame has become the new “chairman” of the EAC, while the climate is not good between Rwanda and Burundi. Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza accuses Rwanda of compromising the security of his country with armed groups formed in his territory.

Kigali also argues that Burundi is home to rebel movements that are acting against Rwanda.

Bujumbura claims for two months, a summit that will be exclusively dedicated to tensions between Burundi and Rwanda. As a reminder, President Kagame will leave the presidency of the African Union (AU) on the occasion of the 32nd summit of the organization. He will continue, however, its reforms within the framework of the AU.

The EAC is composed of Burundi, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan and Tanzania.