South Sudan considers joining East Africa Community
December 10, 2011 (MOMBASA) – The newly independent state of South Sudan is considering joining the East Africa Community (EAC) – a free trade zone – but will initially conduct further studies on the matter.
However, there are fears in South Sudan that by joining the EAC, new country’s the infant economy would be overwhelmed by larger economies in East Africa, such as Kenya and Uganda.
Currently, South Sudan’s only significant export is oil, while it imports from East Africa most commodities including consumable goods and processed petroleum. The region has already seen an influx of migrant traders from East Africa who have taken advantage of the opportunities in South Sudan since a 2005 peace deal with the north.
The issue was again debated in Mombasa, Kenya, during the second group retreat of the ministers and deputy ministers of South Sudan with their Kenyan counterparts on Friday in a presentation chaired by the South Sudan’s vice president, Riek Machar.
The presentation was made by Professor Mukhisa Kituyi, who was a former Kenya minister for trade and chaired a number of trade blocs in East Africa as well as representing African trade ministers at conferences in Europe in the past.
According to the vice president’s press secretary, James Gatdet Dak, the discussions made an attempt to identify advantages of joining the EAC as a young nation, and if there can be options available in the process of joining that would address some of the fears and reservations South Sudan may have.
South Sudan currently enjoys observer status in EAC. The meeting however resolved that the issue be further discussed by the government of South Sudan to decide on terms of acceding to membership of the EAC in case it resolves to fully join.
Khartoum’s application for north Sudan to join the East Africa Community was rejected in the past mainly because they didn’t have a border with any EAC member state in fulfilling one of the criteria for joining, according to Professor Kituyi.
(ST)
Mi diit
South Sudan considers joining East Africa Community
There should be no fear to join EAC because i believe South Sudan shall become a great economy in the region and instead will overwhelm the rest.
Our current disease is corruption that prevents utilization of our abundant resources to kick start economic development.
It seems like good people are giving up and may decide to join in corruption and that is the worst fear.
Aristotle
South Sudan considers joining East Africa Community
joining EAC at absolutely useless, The number of competent businessmen that would compete with EA are few,the goods to take to the market are scarce,so what is the benefit,we have seen here in SS most unemployed people in EAC are employed and some still looking for jobs,we indeed import much from EA but that is not the future we want,we want an independent economy,
pabaak
South Sudan considers joining East Africa Community
Joining EAC is needed because this is the world of competition, our economic is already very relying on what been imported from EAC, so I don’t think disadvantages of joining EAC are more than advantages.
Tut Oyuek
South Sudan considers joining East Africa Community
I guess its a WRONG idea joining EAC so early like this. Some presidential advisors in South Sudan fattening palace are advising president kir worngly thinking that Millions of dollars they have corrupted from the public funds starting from 2005-2011 will take them to be on the top of EAC business community. But, this completely wrong, you will regret this Mr president. To me, am just watching….
Gunkills
South Sudan considers joining East Africa Community
Khartoum,their application was rejected because they don’t have boarder with any member of EAC. If that was the main problem that why their application was rejected. Then, what about after South Sudan became member of EAC? Will Khartoum reapply again? And if their application is accepted? Are we going to be allow to pull out because it pull out Khartoum too since there will be no boarder with EAC?
SSLA/M Supporter
South Sudan considers joining East Africa Community
Hell No! What South Sudan is going to achieve by joining those corrupted Eastern African Nations! Come on SPLA/M militia! How can you join the so-called East African Community, when about 80% of the population of South Sudan is illiterate, when 95% of that population live below the poverty line, with less than a dollar per day! The so-called EAC wants RoSS to join simply to exploit its resources..
SSLA/M Supporter
South Sudan considers joining East Africa Community
taking advantage of the high illiteracy rate among our war- disadvantaged masses! It wants to use RoSS as the mean of commodity, given that its populations are more competitive and competent than that of RoSS, its masses will pour to South Sudan where they will have better chances of employment over our untaught masses! Later on, they will start to import criminality, prostitution and HIV/AIDs..
SSLA/M Supporter
South Sudan considers joining East Africa Community
to our innocent society like what they are doing now in that lawless zoo called capital of RoSS! No, don’t fall into that trap of that corrupted EAC, please SPLA/M fools! If you are trying to mimic or imitate the Sudan joining of Arab league, it was Sudan that benefits a lot from the association, that is rich and well-organised. Don’t try that, please!
Kawaja Mikis
South Sudan considers joining East Africa Community
Hi guys is not a matter President Kiir wrong, is a matter to question ourselves that, are we fit to join EAC. no blame for everything that goes wrong.
Father of earth and heaven
South Sudan considers joining East Africa Community
This is too quick move by south Sudan government to join E.A Why not wait and establish your people first and then join this community of E.A States, since south is already a member of these countries, there shouldn’t be fear or hurry.
$ 10,000,000
South Sudan considers joining East Africa Community
Father of evil and hell, Can you change the title of your name please. Don’t bring shame to yourself. If the title of your name suggests that in real how can you comment on thing are capable of preventing. Don’t shame to yourself. Some here pray regularly but they don’t use those names. What a shameful person are you mr. idiot and stupid!
$ 10,000,000
South Sudan considers joining East Africa Community
It is too early to join at this time. Ten to come would be better for joining. GoSS should teach the people of South to do retail businesses first and farming. Everyone should benefit from oil money for kind of training. Don’t even export any food or milk from outside. Agro-businesses are better. But first corruption must be dealt with. It is too bad some people are going for Christmas without..
$ 10,000,000
South Sudan considers joining East Africa Community
money for medications and necessities while those 13 corrupt ministers are enjoying. You will be cursed by blood of Southerners and will die a pain death like those of Sadam and others. If corruption does not stop, rebel will gain grounds for support to tople the current leadership. It is known worldwide South is the most corrupt place. All those who are not employed will take arms unless it stops
Manyieldit
South Sudan considers joining East Africa Community
I think Riek Machar need to be stop from leading any government delegation in any talk. He is the second if not the first billionaire in South Sudan with money given to him by Chinese/Khartoum in 1990s and the money he has stolen in period starting from year 2005 – 2011. He need the EAC so that his business can grow without any obstacle of paying taxation in EAC, without considering people of Sout
Tut Oyuek
South Sudan considers joining East Africa Community
Why there should be NO BLAME on this matter? Did president consult the public and take other people’s views rather then that of his so called advisors? Those peoples are advising him to fail, this is a plot that he will understand after 5years of his term in the office. Please kindly stop depending wrong things. I am far away, just watching.
Tut Oyuek
South Sudan considers joining East Africa Community
This is an idiotic accusation. Don’t branch out of the topic and start pointing your dirty fingers to the people who are working hard for our country to have democratic bright future educationally, politically and economically. The “1991 chinese money” things is just a perception of poor illiterate boy like you. Just contribute something positive that will bring change to our country leadership.
artise Jose.
South Sudan considers joining East Africa Community
what sort of Gov’t is this!! you guys, the little remained from your 100% extremest corruption has got another ways to finish it!! what would be the benefits of joining those corrupted EAC,their vulnerability will remain in our nation. every things will be clear out in the ROSS. why don’t you learnt through the lessons they badly taught us 4 6years guys?i.e.stealing, poisonings,robbery,prostitutio