‘Total shame’: CEPO decries gov’t failure to settle EAC arrears

JUBA – The Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) Edmund Yakani has expressed anger over South Sudan government failure to settle arrears the country owes to the regional East African Legislative Assembly.

Last week, leader of South Sudan lawmakers Dr. Ann Itto said upon arrival from Arusha, Tanzania that the country owes the regional bloc nearly $40 million in membership arrears which he said has weakened the participation of the South Sudan lawmakers.

“Our participation in the processes of the integration has been weak either because there is no money, or because people do not appreciate it enough. You find that members of the government are not attending important East Africa Community meetings where decisions are taken, and where negotiations are taking place we are not there,” he said.

“We should take our membership seriously, pay our membership fees. So it is that kind of a shame we have. We owe about 39 million US dollars to the East African Community,” she added.

In an interview with Sudans Post, the Executive Director of CEPO Edmund Yakani said the organization is disappointed at the government for always failing to settle its financial commitments in regional and international organizations.

“CEPO is so disappointed with our government non-compliance with the payment of the EAC membership fee. This trend of not always paying our regional and global institutions membership fee is a total shame to the nation,” Yakani said.

“This makes us look irresponsible and loss benefits of our membership in those institutions such as EAC and AU,” he added.

He further urged President Kiir “to instruct the financial institutions to cover our EAC membership fee urgently. Payment of our EAC membership fee is a primary responsibility of demonstrating acceptance for the regional integration into EAC.”