France Commits to Support EAC Implement French as an Official Language

The French Ambassador to the United Republic of Tanzania, H.E. Nabil Hahjlaoui, has reiterated his country’s commitment to supporting the implementation of the EAC Summit directive to include French as a language of the Community in addition to English and Kiswahili.

H.E. Hahjlaoui made the disclosure when he met with the Secretary General of the EAC, Hon. (Dr.) Peter Mathuki, who paid a courtesy call on him at his residence in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The envoy said his country was more than willing to assist the EAC technically and financially in the operationalisation of French as one of the official languages of the EAC.

On his part, Dr Mathuki hailed France for her continued support of EAC programmes and projects, adding that EAC needed all assistance as it seeks to resolve the ongoing conflicts in Eastern DRC.

“Let me take this opportunity to thank the people and government of France through you your Excellency for the continued support on different issues of the EAC integration ” DRC is part of the community helping them is not an option but rather a right thing to do’’, added Hon Mathuki.

The Secretary-General informed the Ambassador that the region through the Summit of EAC Heads of States is determined to restore a peaceful environment in Eastern DRC.

“A peaceful DRC is a key to the development of our region, added Hon Mathuki.

On the support to include French as an official language of the Community, Dr Mathuki said the assistance comes at a time when the Community was continuing to deepen its ties with the other French-speaking blocs.

The Secretary-General and his counterpart agreed to form a small committee to work on modalities of how the French Government can help to resolve some of the requirements including buying translation infrastructure at the EAC Secretariat and capacity building for the staff.

The Secretary-General visited the French Ambassador to discuss priority areas at the EAC that could be supported by France and how to enhance the existing relations between EAC and France.