East Africa Community secretary-general Dr. Peter Mutuku Mathuki has lauded the move taken by the European Union to lift financial sanctions against Burundi.
The EU had imposed the sanctions against Burundi in 2016 following the decision by the then-President Pierre Nkurunziza to run for the third term as president, a move that led to protest across the country.
In a statement on Wednesday, Mathuki said that the decision from the EU would not only spur development in Burundi but also rejuvenate the integration process in East Africa.
“This is a positive development for both Burundi and the EAC as it means that the EAC Partner States will now move together in the implementation of EU-funded programs. It also promotes harmony and synergy among partner states.”
He noted that the EU has consistently supported programs and projects within the Community at both the regional and national levels.
The secretary-general said that the areas that the Community is currently getting support from the EU are; capacity building, digital transformation and innovation, trade integration, governance, peace and security, migration and force-displacement, and environmental conservation.
The EU said that its move to lift the restriction was prompted by the current peaceful political process.
