Talks to formally allow South Sudan into the East African Community have resumed earlier this week in the Tanzanian town of Arusha, a senior official of the regional grouping said in Kampala on Wednesday.

In an interview the East African Community Secretary General Dr. Richard Ssezibera said they have been in touch with the government of South Sudan over the country’s application to join the EAC.

He said Juba’s request for membership is being carefully reviewed but did not elaborate whether the world’s newest nation would be accepted to the regional grouping.

According to Dr. Sezibera, South Sudan will be an important member of the EAC thanks to its big market.

He said a stable South Sudan will mean a secure East Africa.

A team from the South Sudanese government is already in Arusha negotiating its entry into the East African Community to which the country had applied following her independence from the rest of Sudan in 2011.

The East African Community (EAC) headquartered in Arusha, Tanzania is made up of several countries in the region including Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda among others.

Source: Star Africa

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