South Sudan pays $2 million to the East African Community (EAC)

South Sudan has paid $2 million to the East African Community (EAC) as its contribution to the bloc’s budget in late February, a legislator said.

South Sudan is required to pay $8 million to the EAC as contributions annually. Africa’s youngest nation became the 6th member of the East African Community after joining the regional body in April 2016.

Kim Gai Ruot, an MP representing South Sudan at the East African parliament, told Radio Tamazuj Wednesday that South Sudan’s government paid the money in arrears, pointing out that the country has been failing to pay its subscription fees fully for two years resulting in it owing a total of $15 million. 

“The government of South Sudan paid $1 million last year. The total contribution of South Sudan to the East African Community is 24% only,” he explained.

Kim further said South Sudan government’s delay in contributing to the East African Community budget denied the country some of the benefits.

“There are sanctions if you failed to remit contributions. A member state is expected to pay its contribution within 18 months, so if you don’t pay, your membership can be suspended by the bloc,” he explained.

“Now we don’t have South Sudanese employees at the East African Community parliament, we have MPs only. But if you pay your contributions, you can have some employees there. Also, the secretariat has posts that can be filled by South Sudanese,” he said.

However, the MP said South Sudan is still enjoying economic benefits the regional bloc is offering.

South Sudan’s cash-strapped government has also been struggling to pay for the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement, citing a lack of money and calling on donors for support.

In September last year, South Sudanese president Salva Kiir and several opposition leaders, including main opposition leader Riek Machar, signed a power-sharing deal promising an end to the civil war that killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions.