Hundreds of people received President Salva Kiir at Juba International Airport on Saturday as he returned from Arusha Tanzania where he assumed the leadership of the East African Community.

Kiir became EAC chair on Friday, taking over from Burundi’s Evariste Ndayshimiye, eight years after South Sudan joined the regional trade bloc.

Addressing the crowd, the president reportedly called for peace at home as he begins his tenure as the EAC Chair, according to a statement from the presidency.

He was received by top government officials including his five deputies, traditional chiefs, cultural groups and members of the public.

Addressing a press conference, First Vice President, Dr Riek Machar said President Kiir taking over the EAC chairmanship is a sense of pride for the people of South Sudan.

“It’s a big recognition that we head the EAC, and this is for the first time. We are all happy that we are part of EAC, and our President is the chair of this community,” Machar reportedly said.

On his part, Vice President for Economic cluster, Dr. James Wani said President Kiir taking the EAC mantle raises the status of the country.

While Service Cluster Vice President Hussein Abdelbagi Akol said South Sudan will “fully” support peace and stability in DR Congo and Sudan “in order to achieve complete stability in the entire region.”