Libreville, 30 November 2016
President Paul Kagame today attended the 8th Extraordinary Session of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) in Libreville, Gabon.
Chaired by President Ali Bongo Odimba of Gabon, the meeting was also attended by the President of Chad, Idriss Deby Itno and the President of Central African Republic, Faustin-Archange Touadera. Other member states were represented by their respective delegations
Rwanda rejoined the 11 member regional bloc in 2015, with the objective of tapping into the potential of the body to attract investments and access duty free markets in the Central African region.
The Summit discussed a number of pertinent issues in the region including the rise of terrorism in a section of the bloc as well as active militia groups in DR Congo, Central Africa Republic and Burundi who threaten to disrupt peace and security in the region.
The host and chairperson of the ECCAS community, President Ali Bongo called on member states to continue embracing the spirit of fraternity and partnership to overcome the challenges faced by the Central African region.
The Heads of State and participating delegations also reviewed the elections held in 2016 and discussed the issues around them.
The meeting also discussed intra-Africa and cross border trade, as well as maritime and aviation development within the region.
Rwanda was initially one of the founding members of the bloc that now brings together Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, DR Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Chad, and Sao Tome and Principe.