South Sudan “gateway” to North’s entry to East Africa Community
September 12, 2011 (JUBA) – South Sudan on Sunday said an attempt by Sudan to join the five-nation East African Community (EAC) regional body has hit a difficulty, saying the admission of Sudan would only be possible through the newly established Republic of South Sudan.
Minister Aluong, who held two ministerial posts in South Sudan’s regional government prior to independence in July, said the decision will be brought before the East Africa Community Heads of State meeting in Bujumbura, Burundi in November, which has the mandate to consider the position or reverse the decision.
“We are the gateway for admission of the Republic of Sudan into the East Africa Community. The Republic of Sudan’s application does not meet the EAC Treaty’s criteria at least at this stage,” Aluong explained in an interview with Sudan Tribune.
He said the Treaty states that any country which wishes to join the regional bloc must be of a geographical proximity to the current members, which is not the case with Sudan since the partition of South Sudan.
“North Sudan’s application can only sail through if South Sudan joins the EAC,’’ added the minister. South Sudan became an independent state in July, after decades of civil war with the North.
South Sudan borders with the EAC partner states of Uganda and Kenya.
But its regional proximity is not the only issue for Sudan’s entry into the regional bloc. North Sudan’s human rights record, especially in connection with ethnic cleansing in the Darfur region is thought to be of concern.
The senior member of South Sudan‘s ruling party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) also explained that the EAC Treaty requires that any country that wishes to join has to adhere to universally accepted principles of good governance, democracy, the rule of law, observance of human rights and social justice.
“These requirements are extremely questionable at this stage with North Sudan,” he said.
“I am told there were attempts [by] Burundi and Tanzania to include French and Kiswahili as official language for East Africa community. These requests have been shelved probably because the community is expecting the south to join its membership”, he explained.
Currently, English is the only official working language of the EAC. It was resolved that a team of experts look at the cost analysis of joining the EAC and a report be presented at the next Council of Ministers meeting.
The EAC was revived in 1999 by the three founding partners of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Rwanda and Burundi joined the bloc in 2007. The former EAC collapsed in 1977 largely because of ideological differences among member states.
(ST)
Dinka Dominated SPLA/M
South Sudan “gateway” to North’s entry to East Africa Community
Oh, the comfort – the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person – having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as they are, chaff and grain together; certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then with the breath of kindness blow the rest away
To hell with north Sudan to joint EAC.
we will vito whatsoevery the north need from anywhere in Africa
Akol Liai Mager
South Sudan “gateway” to North’s entry to East Africa Community
North Sudan should have been expelled from all Regional and International Organisations because of the follwing reasons:
1. Ethnic Cleasing in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile
2. International proved Genocide in Darfur
3. Making food as a weapon against the needy people that the NIF has driven them away from their homes/localities
4. NIF Military occupation of Abyei in a clear Violation of ICC ruled over Abyei which the North represented by NIF has accepted.
5. Staging a second coup against the popular and democratically elected Governor of Blue Nile State in a repetition of what the NIF leaders did on the 30th of June 1989.
6. NIF denial of Rights for Northern Sudanese to freely express themselves in the peaceful manners.
The Minister of foreign affairs of South Sudan has an obligation to raise the above mentioned issues with his regional and international counterparts to consider suspending North Sudan from all of their organisations. NIF’ fugitive leaders should not be allowed to slaughter and chase away people as they like.
Lang
South Sudan “gateway” to North’s entry to East Africa Community
oh thank god. I hope Sudan is rejected from joining because of this.
Adam
South Sudan “gateway” to North’s entry to East Africa Community
The EAC Treaty requires that any country that wishes to join has to adhere to universally accepted principles of good governance, democracy, the rule of law, observance of human rights and social justice. Quote.
The Republic of Sudan’s application does not meet the EAC Treaty’s criteria at least at this stage. Quote.
These requirements are extremely questionable at this stage with North Sudan. Quote.
The General told us why the Republic of Sudan membership is questionable. Good. But why he is shy to say why the Republic of South Sudan does not meet the EAC criteria?
It is obvious that the RoSS could not and will not meet the requirements due to what SPLM/A is doing to the poor people of the new country. If anyone think of anything that makes a government bad and it is tailored to the GoSS.
The government of the RoS is so bad, but our government is beyond that and much more. Ask anyone living in fear, poverty, disease and hunger in the South and you will get the answer.
Both NCP and SPLM should go to the junkyard of history.
Adam Milawaki, Kansas City
Kariuki
South Sudan “gateway” to North’s entry to East Africa Community
NIF/NCP is being mischievous in rushing to apply for membership in EAC. Why did they not apply all the time they were fighting with SPLM/A? Why would they want to join a group of nations they once termed as ‘lousy neighbors’? It is not like we have a lot in common with them.
Why can’t they be happy with the rest of Arab North with all their superiority complexes????
Although I also want to know why RoSS was not applying first. Someone in the ministry of foreign affairs and regional cooperation is sleeping on the job!
We in the EAC are waiting for our brothers in South Sudan to join us; after all, we have been together for all these years and share a deep cultural history.
Karibu!
Deng Gau
South Sudan “gateway” to North’s entry to East Africa Community
Dear fellow South Sudanese, Do you know What the ruling party in the North aim for applying to join East Africa community?
Absolutly they want to enter EAC inorder to internally crash South Sudan economicall and politically.
EAC should not accept Sudan.
If Sudan want to be member in EAC, they must unsubscribe from Arab league and Islamic ruled countries.
Sudan must respect the human rights principles and ethics.
It should stop killing its own innocents citizens in Darfur, South Kordufan, Blue Nile, Abyei and South Sudan.
Sudan must stop support to LRA in Northern Uganda, Al Qa’eda, Hamas in Plastine and Hizib alla in Labonan and other terrorists organizations.
Sudan should not be accepted in EAC untill the SPLM-N come in to the power in North and introduce democratic and secular State in Sudan.
Thanks
Konan
South Sudan “gateway” to North’s entry to East Africa Community
It is quite funny that a country which is not yet a member in (EAC) appointed itself as its speaker. Moreover, as far as I know Sudan didn’t apply for membership, nor interested in this organization, for Sudan is no more bordering these countries, and finally what this organization can give us? Unfortunately all East-African countries including ROSS is the exclusive club of Aids, poverty, wars and all types of epidemic diseases……thank to God Sudan is no more part of this club.
Alier42
South Sudan “gateway” to North’s entry to East Africa Community
Sudan have to join,since it will also contribute to the development of the region,there is no good reason that ,make it not to qualify for admission to EAC.
mohammed ali
South Sudan “gateway” to North’s entry to East Africa Community
Quench your hatred as much as possible.But please stop this megalomania!Donnot inflate yourself that much and look at you real size! 5O% of your people are starving and dying of hunger and you find satisfaction only when you quench your hatred by an imaginary victory!
Tomorrow if Khartoum expelled southerners living in the north , the majority of your people will be starving.Already those who were forced to leave our country died from hunger in mass, while the SPLA drunken thugs are spending all the money on alchol and buying villas in Australia.There were over 1 million southerners living in Sudan as first class citizents , the SPLA turned them into third class foreigners and they are not willing to go the south as they feel they will be degraded and die of hunger worest than animals!
If joining the (EAC) depends upon the GOSS , I think it will be good for us to withdraw our application tottaly.Afterall what well they add to us?!
Liberal
South Sudan “gateway” to North’s entry to East Africa Community
Dear South Sudanese readers,
You are great people with brilliant ideas and analysis. I think, i must be either too ignore or i have no ability to differentiate right from wrong. I like your comments and i have different opinion about South Sudan rushing into membership of EAC. It was recently we came out of war and we have a lot of things to do especially delivery of basic services and development.
I do always appreciate EAC especially Kenya and Uganda for their support to refugees but there are many, many things we need to know before joining EAC. We need to establish ourselves and work with EAC based on foreign relations but not membership until we are aware about the negative consequences that will be caused to us by EAC. There is undeniable fact that South Sudan is a fragile state and its need people with great ability to think critical into the issues like Joining group that will cause negative impact to its citizens, economy and many more. I wish you could understand.No way for Sudan. it would be wise if we join EAC in the next decade.
Ori' Vuni
South Sudan “gateway” to North’s entry to East Africa Community
Mr. Liberal,
To some extend I agree with you about your fears to hurry up joining organizations. But some are inevitable for quicker support to the development the people. If the joining of the EAC looked so hurried up, why is it the North Sudan wants to be there without seeing its importance to their development?
We have a reason to join the EAC.
Sudan virus
South Sudan “gateway” to North’s entry to East Africa Community
North Sudan absolutely don’t qualify to joint EAC!
How are they going to speak with the East African when even the Southern Sudanese don’t know their language?
It should joint Arab World, particularly the terrorist sponsoring states .
Abyei Soil
South Sudan “gateway” to North’s entry to East Africa Community
@ Liberal,
I understand you brother very well as per today of South Sudan scenarios. Joining EAC is not a miracle since it is a regional block formed through agreement and understanding of one another. But to my own understanding, it’ll be a miracle for Northern Sudan to be part of EAC block not because it is not a government but because it has been violating all sort of human right principles all those days which many people aware of, so, it will be difficult to let it admitted to East Africa Community.
To my fellow south Sudanese, joining EAC has totally nothing to add in our life. In fact, East African have been in stable conditions for a decade. This has enable them to invest in their future especially education. Right now, they’re better than we do here. Joining them expect more negative impacts on our social and economic way of lives.
Therefore, I urge all of us not to rush in to this kind, let’s first prepare our children then officially admitted ourselves when we’re ready.
American Missile.
South Sudan “gateway” to North’s entry to East Africa Community
Dear Readers.
It is good to have public debate on the national issues rather than debating on tribal interests in.
However, i would like to comments on the views of the people who feel that having Khartuom join EAC is a headach,and rest never want North Sudan to be a part of EAC,its not true,according to the Economically source,Khartuom is free to join any market as long as it has security fin,there is no problem.but with the request,legally ,they are required to be scrutiny through agreement if found gimmick,then no grant.
So, it is their policies and tricks is which will not be acquire if they later join.once we have separated with them, we ought not to object them from their willing partnership.
Thank you all.
Majok Akotdit———–Political and Economic Analyst.
Antigraft
South Sudan “gateway” to North’s entry to East Africa Community
REPERCUSSIONS OF JOINING EAST AFRICAN ECONOMY
I would like to highlight something very little that our juvenile government of South Sudan ought to put in its attention because calling South Sudan a number six member of East African Country is so suicidal. I hope the level of South Sudan is so much behind of which it can’t completely compete with the strong built economies of the entire east African countries. The only one thing that makes our government commit mistake is; Oil, but what I know so far only oil as the main export can never make us stand firm against existing strong competitive countries; Remember exploitation of the new country, South Sudan is likely to happen if it promptly becomes an economic member of East African countries. We should also remember that these five east African countries have been existing and enhanced high social competition; hitherto they are highly competing at the levels of various economic backgrounds; e.g. well established Agriculture, certified industrialization, well conveyed transport and communication, and education is the major thing in which we are below 30% educated population in New State of South Sudan.
My question is: How are we going to survive this competition now? What I know so far, our government wants to turn blind eyes towards development even this time again after independence; otherwise we have to halt from progressing to unnecessary accords and let make better adjustment of our economy before rushing to such action that is not reviewed and analyzed. The new country is like to be under attack of lot of problems which seriously needs us to put down guidelines and take a great care to maintain our position thereafter; we shall be in position to jump into dancing styles of East African countries. We can’t dance right now when we know the rest of the people started above dance much better than us. It is clearly known by the world that South Sudan is the least developed nation in the world, perhaps this needs us to move on with steady pace to catch up with the world, because things like employment of citizens contributed better to the economy of the country, which government of new nation ought to put much more emphasis on this sector rather than focusing on foreigners who are much more educated. South Sudan is currently suffering from grim Balance of Payment of which it needs to maintain its position by increasing the exports; this makes balance with imports being brought in by the countries in trade relations.
But now, these highly producing countries of East Africa are going to get only market in South Sudan which boost their economic directly compare to our economic which will be affected immediately once we sign this agreement since we don’t have agricultural, industrial, and even manpower exports. It will even reach the culmination that we shall be out-competed at the level of toilet management since they can manage it better than us. And the solution to this is to put more efforts on practical education rather than theories to quickly bring up our marginalized and uneducated population. South Sudan should only enhance regional relationship just for matter of gaining momentum first; now we are like a new born baby, which can’t be exposed to acrid air before he/she becomes a bit potent to survive the weather. Then, our labor as we are not well educated will be equally out-competed overwhelmingly and this will put the government in vehement loggerheads with innocent citizens of South Sudan. Please we should take a minute and grasp a deep sigh before we rush to mistakes that will affect the whole country. And thank you all very much.
Chier Akueny Anyithiec, Bishop Stuart Univ. Uganda (Agriculture economics).
Now some of the brainless politicians who just hiked to their levels due corruption thinks they will compete with mighty brain of Museveni who event has convinced American that he is the only African who fighting terrorism with America shoulder.
Antigraft
Deng Gau
South Sudan “gateway” to North’s entry to East Africa Community
Liberal you are right brother, i agree with you.
To join such economic and political association is not easy why? because we are just a little borned child and to enter into this association of which its members are experts, some how develped in human resources and infrastructures,if we join them today absolutely it is going to have a direct negative impact in our economy.
Yes let’s stablish our self first and then later after one to two decades we join it (EAC).
Primary pupils cannot form association with the University students, otherwise the primary are likely to suffer
Sudan will get no way to join EAC for the reasons i mentioned in my first comment this morning.
I Love Dinka
South Sudan “gateway” to North’s entry to East Africa Community
Dinka Dominated
i was looking into your nasty words in this web. and you are the most notorious man who has no mercy in his life, i know you very well you mr. stupid Dinka.
plse keep barking till your throat got narrowed.
Justin Chicago opiny
South Sudan “gateway” to North’s entry to East Africa Community
Put those fears away we were part and parcel of greater East Africa proper even before our freedom from Nort Sudan in july,2011. when it comes to economic competition which is the main fear in the minds of majority of our educated folks this should not be a treat we will walk alongside our friends who have established economies and learn from them along the way.
If you look at the EU memberships some of the eastern european countries are just like south sudan with weak economies that can not mass Germany as the economic power house of Europe and are moving slowly forward.It is only our politicians who should look outside their shells to put us in the race.Join now do not wait for another century to do so and the other thing is that kiswahili should be introduced in the curricullum as a subject even if you will not get a credit for it.All the other five EAC members speak swahili at a different level. Most people now speak swahili in south sudan it will not take long before a good number of people become good at it.Most Equatorians speak swahili and those from Bor too especially among the lost boys and girls.Brush away that fear we shall survive the wind and tide.
Aleu Majok II
South Sudan “gateway” to North’s entry to East Africa Community
Dear South Sudanese,
It saddens me and buggles my mind to hear senior goverment members of our newly hatched country talking about joining regional and international organizations in such a haphazad manner as Hon. Gier talked about above. I wonder really if Mr President has a clear foreign policy that entails his country’s membership in regional and international blocs because making EAC one of the organizations South Sudan should join is not worth considering now and even after at least 15 years of independence. I thought the experience from our East African brothers’ influx and their subsequent deals in South Sudan let lone our own ( for many of us who were then in East Africa) was enough for them to delay our country’s membership in EAC. I expected that our leaders would make such a blunder as their lobbying for membership in the regional body started way back before independence. The referendum campaign billboards depicting South Sudan as a sixth member state of EAC were evidence to that effect. But as our leaders always take unresolved stands as exemplified by Deng Alor’s comments about our country’s readiness for contribution of part of our national army for any peace-keeping mission in the world especially in terrorists demonized Somalia, I thought and still hope that some of our eagle-sighted leaders and esp our MPs will not allow this to happen.
Well EA countries esp Uganda and Kenya supported us a lot on humanitarian and other aspects but becoming an EAC member state is not a way of giving back. Even Ethiopia and other countries helped us but does not mean that they will not be fine with us by just being neighbors and members of other blocs such AU, IGAD among others. The safer and wiser decision to take is to drop joining the body and further delays it for 15 years or more. Top on the list of organizations to be joined were good to be UN, AU, IGAD, to name just a few and now should be ICC, IOM, FAO (not UN agencies by the way)among others for these organizations’ roles in our country’s current state of affairs is more crucial than detrimental. Those that should not be joined now or never at all are Arab League, OIC, name it and including EAC for we suffer or lose upon acquisition of their membership rather than benefit. This is because their vision is either incompatible with us or we are still immature for it. Take an example of EAC member states which have already certain set years for one currency, one passport and one presidency and all these set years are not further than 10 years from now. Is South Sudan ready to dwell in such a union and being part of a country headed by an East African President in 5 years (by the way Museveni is now grooming and eyeing for that presidency)? The answer is absolutely BIG NO and not even after 40 years! If GoSS bulldozes this membership in disregard to the opposing voices, I am sure it will resemble the former United Arab Republic, UAR,(1958 – 1961) between Egypt and Syria with president being Egypt’s Abdel Gamal Nasser who initially had sham Arab patriotism that later turned out to be nothing other than manipulation for Egypt’s benefit. Believe or not East African Countries (esp Kenya and Uganda) are not exceptional to this Egyptian-like manipulation both socio-economically and politically.
For now I am of opinion that the NLA, parliament, must approve the need to join any regional or international bloc and the period after which application for membership in that body shall be submitted.
Aleu Majok II
Cadaai ?o?
South Sudan “gateway” to North’s entry to East Africa Community
Historian and Identity Advocacy View:
Based on my personal analysis, this organization shows our identity as South Sudanese. It needs our efforts and I believe in near future, South Sudan will leads the causes. We have everything to leads the organization if put our resources into good management. Kenya needs South Sudan, and South Sudan needs Kenya, South Sudan needs Uganda, and Uganda needs South Sudan, South Sudan needs Tanzania, and Tanzania needs South Sudan,Ethiopia needs South Sudan, and South Sudan needs Ethiopia, etc. This partner should be based on mutual respects of others interests and rights of each of those countries. To me, I think these countries can success and they could unite Africa as well.