Tanzanian President John Pombe Magufuli addressed Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta in the Luo dialect during the 17th Ordinary session of the EAC Heads of State Summit in Arusha, Tanzania, on Wednesday, March 2.
Magufuli demonstrated his knowledge of Dholuo, wishing he could also address President Kenyatta in Kikuyu, but noted he had not mastered the language due to its complexity.
"President Kenyatta’s language (Kikuyu) is of course very difficult, but I can speak Kijaluo that is also spoken in Kenya," Magufuli said.
He then spoke in Dholuo, inquiring about the wellbeing of Kenyans: "Oyawre, wachi ane mar dala (mantie) machiegni," which translates to "Good morning. Tell me what’s going on in the other land (Kenya) that neighbors us."
This gesture sent President Kenyatta into laughter and earned applause from other visiting Heads of State.
The event also included the official launch of the reconstruction and upgrading works on the Arusha-Holili, Taveta-Mwatate road project in Tengeru, Arusha, attended by President Kenyatta and other Heads of State from the East African Community.
South Sudan Joins the East African Community ¶
The Republic of South Sudan was admitted into the East African Community (EAC) on Wednesday, March 2, during the 27th EAC Summit in Arusha, Tanzania, increasing the membership of the common market to six countries with a combined population of approximately 163 million people.
The EAC Secretariat announced, "South Sudan is a new member of the EAC."
South Sudan’s admission ends years of waiting to join the regional bloc, which includes Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, and Rwanda.
According to Edmund Yakani, a South Sudanese activist, the country’s EAC membership provides a new opportunity for direct engagement with the governments of member states.
"On top of our expectation as priority after the admission of South Sudan is the timely and effective implementation of the peace agreement," Yakani stated.
The recovered account cited reporting by Nation.
