By Bida Elly David
South Sudan’s Minister of Presidential Affairs said that the country among other countries has been mandated and tasked by the East African Community bloc to serve as information rapporteur to the regional bloc’s chronicles.
He said this during the East African Community regional meeting as well as election of the new leadership of the EAC body to start a new move to the community’s affairs.
Recently, President Kiir delegated Barnaba Marial Benjamin to attend the East African Community conclave that resulted into the pronouncement of Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye as the successor of President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya who served as the chairperson of the East African Community.
Formerly South Sudan battled a state of running unpaid debts of Million Dollars to the East African Community leadership that would have qualified its status to fully guarantee them for membership after clearance. A law maker representing South Sudan in the East African Legislative Assembly reiterated words of shame to the country as it participated in sittings with recurred unpaid registration fee to the bloc for membership qualification.
Speaking during the summit, Barnaba Marial Benjamin the Minister of Presidential Affairs appreciated the East African Community leadership for having included South Sudan among other countries to report on the regional bloc’s proceedings.
“We are very grateful as the government of South Sudan to be included among other countries to report on the East African regional proceedings which would act as a channel to boost communication among the regions of the EAC. We are really delighted for being part and partial of the team” he said.
Furthermore, Barnaba underscored that South Sudan as a young nation has retrieved protectionism policy on foreign movement of commodities and passengers into the country as a subsidized mechanism in regards to the EAC Union.
“South Sudan as young Nation in the East African Region, we have always allowed free movement of people and commodities from Uganda, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) into the country as we hope for further and continuous bilateral relationship of other areas of concern,” he said.
At the same note he also briefed the EAC body during the conclave regarding inclusivity of French and Kiswahili Languages to be taught in the country’s new Education Curriculum to boost quicker learning for easy communication of the citizens and the learners.
In his part, the new East African Community elected chair Mr. Ndayishimiye thanked his fellow heads of State for the initiative and faith they have manifested towards electing him the chairperson and promised to ensure implementation of the bloc’s objectives through collaboration.
“I need women and youth to be given opportunity in the bloc as well as expand the use of Swahili language. I promise to increase the common market and speed up the procedures for Somalia to officially join the bloc,” he said.