welcome to the african leadership series where we bring you great inspirational
speeches of african leaders we have more in common than the europeans do this is a fact
we share common languages we share common culture
the only thing that divided us were the colonial boundaries
you go to france and you go to wherever you go to europe they are fighting over 20 different
languages here we are in agreement our language is swahili these are the languages or languages that
we use just for communication but sooner or later our language will be swahili that is our
region's language our cultures are similar there is no reason if we work hand in hand together
why we cannot be stronger and more economically prosperous than europe or any
of the other global regional associations it is on us and the work that we do together and
the support that we give each other i once again thank you my fellow leaders for your solidarity
and commitment to the vision of our community your excellencies ladies and gentlemen
today's event is truly historic the signing of the treaty of accession
by the democratic republic of the congo marks the formal entry into the east african community
having satisfied the conditions set under article 3 and 4 of our treaty and following its admission
during our virtual extraordinary summit held on the 29th of march this year
and to get this point and to get to this point it has taken strong leadership
a commitment to the ideals of the east african community integration agenda
and a clear understanding of the shared benefits that come from working together
in this context i recognize our elder brother his excellency erica gutham 70
for the zeal with which he galvanized support from member states for the drc to join the
east african community we have already begun to realize the promise of the east african community
the free movement of people goods and service across the community has boosted
trade and strengthened people-to-people ties thus enabling us to harness the comparative strength
of each member state for the benefit of all and to confront and solve problems together
your excellencies ladies and gentlemen the accession of the drc as a member of the east
african community will even more elevate these gains and more importantly it will strengthen our
economic muscle and competitive competitiveness in the continent as well as globally
to my brother and friend president shaked and to the people of the democratic republic of the congo
we welcome you to the east african community customs union
and the east african community common market these two are the signature pillars of our community and
the foundation upon which the social political trade investment and economic interest stand
in the coming days our ministers and technical experts will indeed move with speed to integrate
the drc into the organs of our community we have in this context ongoing integration tasks in all
sectors they include the east african court of justice the east african legislative assembly
and sectoral committees on essential matters like trade industry finance agriculture defense
security education infrastructure science and technology aviation health and international
cooperation among others therefore in conclusion and on behalf of the summit of heads of state of
the east african community i today applaud our brother his excellency Felix Antonio
Tshisekedi for his exemplary leadership and stewardship of the drc and indeed for his
wise decision to lead his country to becoming a full member of the east african community
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