Hopes of East Africa integration have waned following a decision to call off the Summit of the East African Community (EAC) Heads of State for the second time in two weeks.
The meeting of East African Presidents was slated for December 27 at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC).
It was postponed to a yet to be known date.
“It is now official. The summit will not take place on December 27,” stated the EAC deputy secretary general (Production and Social Sectors) Christophe Bazivamo.
Mr. Bazivamo told a Tanzanian newspaper The Citizen that the date and venue of the twice postponed 20th summit will be communicated to the partner states and the public at a later date. He added that the ministerial segment of the summit, which was to begin today (Thursday) in Arusha has been put off indefinitely.
Unconfirmed reports within the EAC circles had it that the meeting was likely to be held anytime from February or March next year, reports The Citizen.
“That would give a breathing space to the organisers after a long festive season and time to ponder the uncertain future of the EAC given the resource challenges and deteriorating relations between some member states.”
“The presidents have been consulting and keep on consulting over this,” Bazivuma is quoted as having said.
The deputy SG was the first executive official of the Community to hint that the meeting of the regional leaders was already on the rocks. On Tuesday, he hinted there was no likelihood of the summit taking place and said a communication to the effect would be issued.