By William Madouk
On Friday, the Council of Ministers approved the East African Community (EAC) Treaty and its protocols, paving the way for the smooth implementation of EAC plans in South Sudan.
The decision came during a Cabinet meeting chaired by President Salva Kiir, where Justice Minister Ruben Madol Arol presented the memorandum for approval. This move is expected to enhance South Sudan’s integration within the regional bloc and streamline the execution of its obligations under the EAC framework.
The Deputy Minister of Information Jacob Maiju Korok, stated that the alignment would benefit South Sudanese in terms of trade and the free movement of people and goods.
“This treaty is to align South Sudan’s laws with EAC, so we benefit in many ways in term of trade and the community will actually embark on free movement and many things,” Korok explained.
“The purpose of this Bill is to domesticate the treaty establishing the EAC and its protocols in the national laws of the Republic of South Sudan,” he added.
The EAC consists of eight countries: Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Somalia, the latest entrant.