Veronica Mueni Nduva Outlines Priorities as New EAC Secretary-General

Summary:

• Veronica Mueni Nduva, the new secretary-general of the East African Community (EAC), aims to enhance economic integration, innovation, entrepreneurship, job creation, peace, and security. Nduva, the first woman in this role, will also focus on social development and empowering women and youth. She replaces Peter Mathuki, who was reassigned as Kenya’s ambassador to Russia. The EAC includes eight countries: the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania.

DAR ES SALAAM, (Examiner) – Veronica Mueni Nduva, the newly appointed secretary-general of the East African Community (EAC), has outlined her key priorities for the regional bloc. These include strengthening economic integration to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and job creation, alongside promoting peace and security.

Following her swearing-in during the 23rd extraordinary meeting of the EAC heads of state on Friday, Nduva shared her vision in a statement released by the EAC headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.

In an interview with Xinhua on Sunday, Nduva emphasized her commitment to deeper integration and the development of East Africa’s populace. As the first woman to hold the position, she highlighted the importance of advancing social development, particularly empowering women and youth, who she described as the backbone of the region’s society.

Nduva succeeds Peter Mathuki, who was recalled by the Kenyan government in March 2024 and reassigned as the country’s ambassador to Russia.

The EAC is an intergovernmental organization comprising eight countries: the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania.