President Salva Kiir (Photo: Office of the President).

President Salva Kiir has taken the center stage as chairman of the East African Community at the Heads of State Summit in Arusha, Tanzania.

Kiir takes over from Burundi’s Evariste Ndayhimiye at a time when the region is confronted with numerous challenges including climate catastrophes, conflicts and the current global economic hardship.

Speaking during the event, Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni emphasized on the importance of regional integration as the only way out of dependence on foreign aids, and into prosperity.

Kenya’s President William Ruto congratulated Kiir on taking the historic leadership and said the whole region has his support.

Commenting on the situation in conflict-torn Democratic Republic of Congo, Ruto said East Africa will not walk away from DRC as it heads towards election at a time of crisis.

President Evariste Ndayhimiye, the outgoing chairperson of the bloc thanked “your excellencies for entrusting me with the privilege of serving our community and for your active participation during my tenure.”

The summit is under the theme “Accelerating Economic Recovery through Climate Action and Enhancing Food Security for Improved Livelihoods.”

The East Africa Community also admitted the Republic of Somalia as its 8th member-state.

Somalia’s President Hassan Shiekh Mahmoud said his country is joining a family of nations and that he believes in the power of regional unity.

“Our inclusion in this community is commitment for shared growth and a just prosperity in the region,” he said.

After Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia, South Sudan is EAC’s newest member – joining the bloc as its sixth member, in March 2016.

South Sudan applied for EAC membership soon after gaining its independence from Sudan in 2011, but the process of its admission delayed for a number of reasons, key among them being internal conflicts.