South Sudan clears East African Community membership arrears

JUBA – South Sudan has taken a significant step towards reinvigorating its engagement within the East African Community (EAC) by settling its outstanding dues, effectively resolving a financial obstacle that had hindered its full participation in the bloc’s activities.

This development stems from President Salva Kiir’s appeal during the 21^st Ordinary African Union Heads of State Summit in 2021, where he urged the EAC Secretariat to collaborate with South Sudanese officials to restructure the country’s EAC debt.

South Sudan’s initial installment of USD 1.5 million demonstrated its commitment to addressing the issue, he said at the time.

The payment of $7 million in arrears, confirmed in a statement released on November 8, 2023, by South Sudan’s Ministry of East African Affairs, marks a positive step towards fulfilling the country’s financial obligations to the regional bloc.

This move is likely to pave the way for increased engagement and collaboration within the EAC, strengthening regional integration and promoting economic growth across East Africa.