President Museveni and other East African leaders have decided to put a regional trade teal with the European Union on hold.
The leaders of the block have directed the EAC Secretariat to communicate to EU over the decision that was reached at the 17th Extraordinary Summit held in Dar es Salaam on Thursday.
At an East African Community meeting, they decided to defer approving the deal for three months.
This is because of concerns raised by Tanzania and Uganda.
Museveni said the three-month extension of signing and ratifying the EU-EAC agreement was meant to synchronise their understanding on the pact that has 146 articles.
“The EU should wait until January when we shall convene again so that we give a collective answer rather than giving fragmented ones,’’ President Museveni is quoted as saying by Tanzanian press.
According to Africanews, Kenya and Rwanda have already signed the deal but their signatures will not take effect until all EAC members are agreed.
The economic partnership agreements are intended to enhance regional integration and economic development in the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries. They are based on the principle of asymmetrical market opening, meaning that they provide a better access to the EU market for ACP partners. They notably offer unprecedented market opportunities for agricultural and fisheries products.
Europe had been pushing the free trade pact to be signed 1 October 2016.
