{The European Union and the East Africa Community (EAC) will sign a grant agreement in June \u2013 worth a total of 85 million euros \u2013 to enhance peace, security, stability and development in the East Africa region. } <\/p>\n
“The agreement will be signed in Brussels, together with four other regional blocs,” Filiberto Sebregondi, the EU’s head of delegation to Tanzania and the EAC, announced Wednesday.<\/p>\n
He believes the support will go a long way towards fostering sustainable economic growth in the EAC.<\/p>\n
Sebregondi said that, in total, the EU would sign grant agreements worth 1.3 billion euros, to be divided among the five regional blocs. <\/p>\n
The other blocs are the Southern African Development Community (SADC); the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA); the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD); and the Indian Ocean Commission.<\/p>\n
“The agreement is part of the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) Regional Indicative Program for EAC, SADC, IGAD, COMESA and Indian Ocean Commission,” Sebregondi added.<\/p>\n
“The grant is also aimed at contributing to inclusive and sustainable economic development by promoting integrated markets, development investment and productive capacities,” he said at a ceremony marking “EU Day.”<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the EU has disbursed 1.5 million euros to Tanzania, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to help thousands of refugees from Burundi.<\/p>\n
“The Burundi situation is of great concern to the EU,” said Sebregondi. “We hope the number of refugees from Burundi does not increase.”<\/p>\n
Burundi has been rocked by protest since late April, when the ruling National Council for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) named incumbent President Pierre Nkurunziza \u2013 in power since 2005 \u2013 its candidate for June presidential polls.<\/p>\n
At least 13 people, including two policemen, have been killed \u2013 and at least 100 injured \u2013 since protests erupted in late April.<\/p>\n
Around 400 people have also been jailed since the protests broke out, according to figures given by the Burundian authorities.<\/p>\n
Burundi’s Constitutional Court recently ruled that Nkurunziza’s bid for a third presidential term did not violate the country’s constitution.<\/p>\n
Nkurunziza, a former rebel leader, has been in power since 2005, when he was appointed by parliament following a peace deal that ended a 12-year civil war.<\/p>\n
He won 2010 presidential polls after the country’s main opposition parties boycotted the vote amid concerns it would be rigged in Nkurunziza’s favor.<\/p>\n
{{Source: Turkish Weekly}}<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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