President Salva Kiir appealed to the leaders of Burundi and Rwanda to end diplomatic tension and commit to peace in order to enhance East African regional integration.

A Communique from EAC Secretary General Peter Mathuki said presidents Salva Kiir, Paul Kagame and Evariste Ndayishimiye agreed that peace and security are pre-requisites to social and economic development withing the region.

“They call upon partner states to fulfill their obligations as enshrined in the treaty for the establishment of the East African Community,” Mathuki said.

“Their excellences noted the need for the two sister states of Burundi and Rwanda to ensure implementation of all previously agreed upon commitments in good faith arising out of the bilateral dialogue between the partner states.”

“This will energize the implementation of the EAC integration imperatives that include the free movement of persons, goods and services.”

Kiir returned to Juba on Friday after a two-day peace mission to Rwanda and Burundi to call for peace within the East African Community partner states.

According to his office, President Kiir and his counterparts, Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Évariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi, discussed approaches for deepening inter-partner state relations and improving regional peace and security.

South Sudan Foreign Minister Dr. James Pitia Morgan said Kiir urged the EAC leaders to ensure peace and stability prevail, particularly in the eastern part of DR Congo.

The Chairperson of the East African Community (EAC)) embarked on the consultative meetings with Rwandan and Burundian presidents amidst heightened tensions in the region.

But there was no mention of Kiir’s scheduled final visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo, and there was no explanation for the postponement of the visit either.

After concluding the three-nation peace tour, President Kiir will then convene an EAC Summit, with the view of mending relations between member states and resolve conflicts in the region.