The East African Community (EAC) Head of States chairperson Salva Kiir is set to unveil a special envoy to help in tackling disagreements between countries within the region.
In a statement released by the EAC, Salva Kiir confirmed that he will need help in addressing inter-state relations in the region.
“The Chair will soon assign special envoys to support his efforts to address inter-state relations within the framework of EAC,” the regional body revealed in a statement.
Salva Kiir committed to the task during a meeting with EAC Secretary General Peter Mathuki at the State House in Juba.
The South Sudan President assumed the EAC chairmanship in November 2023, taking the reigns from his Burundian counterpart President Évariste Ndayishimiye.
South Sudan, leading peace talks within the region comes at a time when tensions within the nations in the region have been high.
Uganda on January 2, 2024, sued Kenya at the East African Court of Justice over the disputed oil importation deal between the countries.
According to court documents filed by its Attorney General, Uganda claimed that Kenya had barred the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) from granting it a license to import oil through the Mombasa Port.
"The complete reliance and dependency on Kenyan OMCs to import and supply petroleum products to Uganda have exposed the Republic of Uganda to supply vulnerabilities resulting in an avoidable increase in fuel pump prices," court documents submitted by Uganda read.
On December 16, 2023, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) recalled its ambassador to Kenya in protest of a new Congolese military alliance launched in Nairobi.
President William Ruto addressing the issue, distanced himself from commenting on the East African country’s decision.
"If they decide they want to recall their ambassador because a statement was issued in Nairobi that is their right," Ruto stated.
Burundi on January 11, 2024, closed its borders with Rwanda, citing threats posed by the Red Tabara group, and further accused Rwanda of funding the militia group.
The Congolese rebel group has been causing unrest in Burundi and staged an attack in December 2023, killing twenty people.
