S. Sudan’s bid to join East African Community on hold

June 20, 2015 (JUBA) – South Sudan’s council of ministers on Friday approved the country’s bid to join the East African Community (EAC), but insisted its government needed five years to sensitise citizens on the benefits and risks of becoming a member.

The council, during its weekly meeting chaired by president Salva Kiir, reportedly listened to memo presented by the presidential advisor and economic affairs, Aggrey Tisa Sabuni.

“We have to sensitize our people on the risks of joining the community as well informing them on the benefits that the citizens of South Sudan are going to gain,” the deputy information minister, Racheal Nyadak told reporters in the country’s capital, Juba.

Sabuni, who co-chaired the government of South Sudan team on joining the five-member regional body, told the council of ministers that the new nation could benefit from joining the EAC, which currently comprises of Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi and Rwanda.

“If you are a south Sudanese, you are African and once have pay fees like Kenyans or Ugandans citizens because they are not foreigners,” Nyadak quoted Sabuni to have said.

South Sudan applied for EAC membership soon after gaining it’s independence from neighbouring Sudan in 2011. However, the young nation’s admission to the bloc delayed as member countries cited poor governance and its underdeveloped public institutions.

Although South Sudan could be admitted to the EAC at its October summit, Nyadak said cabinet’s resolution would see the young nation maintain observer status for five years.

The resolution to join the EAC and the five year period proposed will enable sufficient sensitisation of the citizens through radio talks shows among other media campaigns, to be presented to the national parliament for approval, stressed the deputy minister.

(ST)