East African Community Secretary General Peter Mutuku has called on member states to embrace peaceful dispute resolution mechanisms in the event of any disagreements between them.
In a statement, Mutuku urged member states to strive to achieve harmonious cooperation in their undertakings in furtherance of the EAC objectives of advancing mutual benefit.
“In the event of any dispute…it is expected that we use the existing EAC Dispute Resolution Mechanism that fully respect the integrity and sovereignty of our partner states,” he said.
The EAC is a regional intergovernmental organisation of eight partner States comprising Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The body’s aim is to strengthen ties between member states through a common market, a common customs tariff, and a range of public services to achieve balanced economic growth within the region.
“I therefore encourage our esteemed partner states to deploy peaceful settlement of any disputes and restrain, strictly observing the spirit of our Treaty and particularly on peaceful co-existence and good neighbourliness.”
His statement comes amid an apparent diplomatic tiff between Nairobi and Kinshasa and possible poor relations between the community and the DRC.
On December 17, Kinshasa recalled its envoy in Arusha Pierre Masala and its envoy in Nairobi, John Nyakeru in protest of a meeting of rebel leaders held in Nairobi.
Kenya distanced itself from the meeting with President William Ruto later revealing that he refused a plea from Kinshasa to arrest the rebels.
Prior to the December 20 presidential elections in which incumbent Felix Tshisekedi emerged winner, the DRC also denied EAC poll observers accreditation.
Kinshasa also accused the EAC Regional Force (EACRF) of failing to exterminate dozens of rebel groups that have battled government forces for the past three decades in eastern DRC when the mandate of the EACRF ended on December 8.
“The secretariat is closely working with the office of the chairperson of the Summit of EAC Heads of State to facilitate the necessary facilitation towards peaceful resolution of any arising disputes amongst our partner states,” Mutuku said.
