SOUTH SUDAN GOVERNMENT SENDS HIGH LEVEL MISSION TO THE EAC HEADQUARTERS: Mission assesses requirements for the Negotiations

 Members of the South Sudanese High Level Mission in a group photo with EAC Secretary General, Amb. Dr. Richard Sezibera and other EAC officials, at the EAC Headquarters.  

A High Level Mission from the Republic of South Sudan were hosted by the Secretary General of the East African Community Amb. Dr. Richard at the EAC Headquarters on Tuesday 5 November 2013. The High Level Mission, which comprised of 10 Ministers, the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Chairpersons of various Committees of the Assembly, Under Secretaries, Director Generals, among others; was led by Hon. Aggrey Tisa Sabuni, the Minister of Finance, Commerce, Investment and Economic Planning.

Addressing a joint Press Conference, the South Sudanese Minister of Finance, Commerce, Investment and Economic Planning Hon. Aggrey Tisa Sabuni said the purpose of their mission was to have an in-depth exposure on the EAC Headquarters, Organs and Institutions of the Community as well as assessing the requirements for the Republic of South Sudan in the negotiations to join the East African Community.  

Pursuant to a directive made by the Council of Ministers at its 24^th Extra-Ordinary Meeting held on 25^th April, 2012, a Verification Committee visited the Republic of South Sudan from 15^th - 31^st July, 2012. The overall objective of the Verification Exercise was to establish the Republic of South Sudan‘s level of conformity with the criteria for admission of foreign countries into the EAC as provided under Article 3 of the Treaty.

Based on recommendation of the report by the verification Committee, the EAC Heads of State Summit in November 2012 directed that the Council of Ministers negotiate the admission of South Sudan putting into consideration the provision of the EAC Treaty on the criteria of joining the EAC.

The EAC Council of Ministers established a High Level Negotiations Team and directed Partner States to nominate three (3) Members to the High Level Negotiation Team and convene a meeting of High Level Negotiation Team to start the negotiations with the Republic of South Sudan.

The first meeting of the EAC High Level Negotiations Team on the admission of the Republic of South Sudan will take place before the end of the year.