The Committee on Legal, Rules and Privileges of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), on February 9, concluded an on-spot assessment of South Sudan's implementation of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community (EAC), as well as the protocols and laws of the regional economic bloc. According to a press release issued by the Assembly, the objectives of the assessment were to evaluate how South Sudan is implementing the EAC Treaty, protocols by South Sudan, and laws about eight years since it joined the bloc. The oversight activity, which took place in Juba, from February 4 to 9, was led by the Chairperson of the Committee on Legal, Rules and Privileges of the Assembly, Mashaka Ngole. The findings and recommendations of the Committee will be presented to EALA and EAC Council of Ministers for further action, it observed. The Committee engaged key stakeholders from the public and private sectors, including government officials, representatives of the private sector, and non-state actors within South Sudan, according to the statement. It also visited relevant institutions and locations within Juba, as proposed and organised by the government of South Sudan. ALSO READ: South Sudan’s Salva Kiir is new EAC chair During the assessment, the Committee gathered information on the actions taken by South Sudan in the implementation of the EAC Treaty, including the domestication of the Treaty and the establishment of relevant institutions. They also examined the implementation of the Protocol on the Establishment of the EAC Customs Union, the Protocol on the Establishment of the EAC Common Market, and other EAC protocols in South Sudan. ALSO READ: South Sudan appeals for funds to conduct elections The enforcement of EAC laws and the harmonisation of national laws related to the Community were also assessed in the country. The Committee aimed to determine the benefits accrued from the implementation of the Treaty, protocols, and laws of the EAC in South Sudan, as well as the challenges faced by the country in their application since it joined the regional organisation.
