[PRESSWIRE] ARUSHA, Tanzania – 2026-03-08 — The East African Community appointed Tanzanian diplomat Stephen Mbundi as Secretary General of the regional bloc.

Mbundi was introduced during the 25th EAC Heads of State Summit in Arusha, succeeding Veronica Nduva.

He becomes the second Tanzanian to hold the position after Juma Mwapachu (2006–2011).

Mbundi swore oaths of allegiance and secrecy before the acting registrar of the East African Court of Justice, Christine Mutimula, alongside three newly appointed judges.

“I do solemnly swear that I will exercise loyalty, discretion and conscience in the performance of the functions entrusted to me,” Mbundi said.

He pledged to act in the community’s interest and reject instructions from external authorities.

Outgoing Secretary General Nduva described Mbundi as an experienced civil servant with nearly 30 years of public service and extensive regional integration expertise.

He holds a master’s degree in Economic Policy Management from Makerere University and a bachelor’s degree in economics from University of Dar es Salaam.

Mbundi has spent 19 years engaged in EAC integration activities and led Tanzania’s delegation in senior technical coordination committees.

He participated in negotiations on legal and policy instruments and coordinated public and private sector institutions implementing EAC decisions in Tanzania.

He has held senior administrative and financial management roles, including management team leader and accounting officer positions, with government audit certificates received for four consecutive years.

The summit appointed three new judges to the EAC Court of Justice: Abdulwaheed Wasame Abdullah of Somalia, Anne Otieno Amadi of Kenya and Diejo Stephen Abraham of South Sudan.

Nduva thanked heads of state for support during her tenure and highlighted achievements including increased visibility of EAC institutions.

She assumed office in April last year after nomination by William Ruto and succeeded former Secretary General Peter Mathuki.

Media Contact:Information Services Department and Office of The Chief Government Spokesman E-mail: maelezotv@gmail.comPhone: +255 754 750 765; +255 754 698 856; +255 759 714; +255 713 381 904Availability: EAT, UTC +3