National, News

South Sudan engaged to join Single African Air Transport Market

By Bosco Bush

 

Delegates from the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), East African Community (EAC), and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) are in Juba to encourage the government of South Sudan to join the SAATM project.

SAATM is an African Union initiative to establish a unified market for air transport across the continent. Once fully operational, the single market would provide extensive air transport freedom in Africa, aligning with the AU’s Agenda 2063.

During an awareness workshop held in Juba on Monday, July 15, 2024, several delegates emphasized the benefits of South Sudan’s participation in the SAATM initiative.

The Undersecretary of the Ministry of East African Community Affairs, advocate Beny Gideon Mabor recognizes the importance of joining the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) project.

He believes that the country would benefit greatly and potentially become the central hub of the project in the African region due to its strategic location in the heart of the continent.

“When we join the SAATM, we will have direct routes. Because the strategic location of South Sudan in Africa is different from the rest of the countries. We are in the middle of the Continent. So, joining the SAATM will enable this country to be the biggest hub of the African air transport system,” Magok said.

SAATM project also falls under the physical infrastructure pillars of both COMESA and EAC that all member states should comply with and implement for common development across the region.

EAC Principle Civil Aviation Officer, Paul C. Rwegasha revealed that only 3 EAC member states (DR Congo, Rwanda and Kenya) have joined SAATM. While Tanzania and Uganda are in the final stages of confirming their affirmative decision to sign. South Sudan, Burundi and Somalia have not yet joined.

He emphasized and urged South Sudan to join SAATM next year 2025.

On the other hand, Francis W. Okome, a delegate from COMESA noted that the requirements needed for South Sudan to join SAATM is for the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to sign a “Solemn Commitment to implement the principles of Yamoussoukru Decision, and later the Civil Aviation Authority will sign the Memorandum of Implementation.

Okome added that the joining process is free of charge.

 

 

Comments are closed.