East African Community to Build Capacity for South Sudan Integration Process
East African Community Secretariat; Arusha, Tanzania; 16 March 2017:
The East African Community Secretariat will undertake a comprehensive capacity building programme on the integration process for the Republic of South Sudan to enhance the young nation’s integration into the Community.
EAC Secretary General, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, said that the capacity building programme for Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the Republic of South Sudan would focus on all aspects around the EAC integration.
Amb. Mfumukeko further encouraged the RSS to fully participate in the programmes and activities of the EAC since it was now a full member of the bloc.
He said the Community was working closely with Development Partners to mobilize funds for various development initiatives including infrastructure development, health, customs and trade.
The Secretary General who is on an inaugural tour of RSS made the remarks during meetings with various Ministers in the RSS. Among the Ministers who held meetings with Amb. Mfumukeko and his delegation were Hon. Deng Alor Kuol (Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation); Hon. Stephen Dhie Dau (Finance and Economic Planning), and; Hon. Moses Hassan Tiel (Trade, Industry and Investment). The South Sudan EAC Secretariat is headed by Hon. Mou Mou Athiany Kuol.
RSS became the EAC’s sixth Partner State after depositing the instruments of ratification of the Treaty of Accession to the EAC in September 2016.
The EAC delegation also held meetings with the Minister for Defence, Hon. Kuol Manyang Juuk, and Hon. Martinson Oturomoi, the Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
Addressing the EAC Delegation, Foreign Minister Hon. Kuol thanked the EAC Secretariat for the invaluable support it gave to the team that negotiated the RSS’s admission into the Community, adding that his Ministry which hosts the South Sudan’s EAC Secretariat would endeavour to sensitize other government departments on the EAC.
On his part, Finance and Economic Planning Minister Stephen Dau said RSS felt it naturally belonged to the EAC due to its close historical, cultural, social and economic ties with East Africa.
Hon. Dau said the country was keen to honour all its obligations and enjoy its rights as an EAC Partner State.
Hon. Kuol said RSS membership to the Community would enable the country to resolve some of the challenges it is facing by working in partnership with other Partner States, adding that it would also bring lots of benefits to both parties.
Trade, Industry and Investment Minister Hon. Tiel noted that the people of South Sudan had been longing to join the EAC for a long time.
Hon. Tiel said that South Sudan’s trade, investment and industrial sectors would be enhanced by joining the EAC, adding that the country has immense potential to gain from EAC by fully developing its agricultural sector.
Hon. Tiel said that contrary to the views of some people, RSS would not always be a net importer of goods noting that the country was already exporting honey and gum Arabic to other countries.
The EAC team briefed Defence Minister Manyang Juuk on cooperation in defence and security matters. Cooperation in defence among EAC Partner States includes: training; joint exercises; joint operations; sports and culture; military industries, and; visits and sharing of information.
The delegation informed Deputy Justice Minister Hon. Oturmoi that the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) usually has sub-registries in each Partner States capital city with the sub-registry being hosted in Judiciary. The staff to man the sub-registry are recruited competitively.
The Minister was further informed that the EACJ would also train State Attorneys/Counsel on the procedures of the Court so that they can effectively represent RSS in case of litigation by other parties.
Amb. Mfumukeko was accompanied by among others EAC Deputy Secretary General (Political Federation), Mr. Charles Njoroge, the Director of Customs, Mr. Kenneth Bagamuhunda, Director of Finance, Mr. Juvenal Ndimurirwo, Defence Liaison Officer (Uganda), Col. James Ruhesi; Ms. Geraldine Umugwaneza, Deputy Registrar at the East African Court of Justice; Mr. Bakaye Lubega, Principal Culture and Sports Officer; Mr. Stephen Agaba, Principal Legal Officer; Dr. James Njagu, Chef de Cabinet to the Secretary General, and; Emmanuel Niyonizigiye, Police Liaison Officer.
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For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno
Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department
EAC Secretariat
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255 784 835021
Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.