The President hailed the EAC for supporting both South Sudan and the Sudan during the period of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). “Whenever Khartoum isolated Juba we used to either run to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Burundi or Rwanda for shelter and assistance for our struggle; the EAC is thus at the centre of our hearts”, he emphasized.
President Salva Kiir hailed the existing and warm relations between EALA and his government adding that the Parliament of South Sudan also stood to benefit from the enriching experience of EALA.
"I note with gratification the Assembly's efforts in ensuring that peace in South Sudan prevailed," he stated.
The Assembly visited South Sudan to assess the state of preparedness during the period leading to the referendum. It also sent an observer team during the referendum and was represented during the Independence celebrations on July 9th, 2011.
The EALA Speaker notified President Salva Kiir that at its 122nd Sitting held on September 14th, 2011 in Kigali, Rwanda, the Assembly adopted a Resolution congratulating the Government and people of South Sudan upon her landmark Independence on July 9th, 2011. The Resolution further urged the EAC Partner States through the Council of Ministers to develop regional infrastructure that links up to borders with South Sudan to enable the EAC and South Sudan to unlock the vast economic potential of the region.
“The Resolution has been widely circulated to all the media houses in the region for publication”, the Rt. Hon. Abdirahin Abdi further noted.
The Resolution presented to the President by the Speaker, further calls on the EAC Partner States through the Council of Ministers to pursue a sustained and increased trade, political and social co-operation with South Sudan and to work closely with the Parliament of South Sudan to strengthen ties between the EAC and the Republic of South Sudan.
Present during the discussions were Ambassador Emmanuel Lowila, Minister in the President’s Office, Hon. (Rtd.) General Daniel Awet Akot, the Deputy Speaker of the South Sudan Legislative Assembly (SSLA) and the Senior Research Officer at EALA, Mr. Charles Ngeleja Kadonya.
The EALA Speaker also officially invited the President to deliver a goodwill address to the people of East Africa on 30th November, 2011, in the Chamber of the Burundi National Assembly during the EALA Plenary. The historical address will be part of the many activities EALA shall be undertaking to commemorate its ten years of existence.
At the South Sudan Legislative Assembly (SSLA), the Rt. Hon. Abdirahin Abdi was received by his counterpart, Rt. Hon. Lt. General Wani Igga. In his communication to the Assembly, the Rt. Hon. Lt. General Igga noted that he was privileged and honoured to have the EALA Speaker in Juba.
He further noted that the people of South Sudan in general, and the South Sudan Legislative Assembly in particular, were proud not only that the EALA was the first parliament to officially recognize the Independence of South Sudan, but also, that it sent a large delegation to attend the independence celebrations on July 9th, 2011.
The SSLA Speaker informed his Assembly that the Rt. Hon. Abdirahin Abdi was in Juba to deliver a special message to the South Sudanese people and the Assembly. “He wants to convey a message and word of encouragement from the East African Legislative Assembly,” he remarked.
On his part, the Rt. Hon. Abdirahin Abdi said he was honoured and thanked the Rt. Hon. Lt. General Igga for taking the liberty to accord him with an opportunity to address the South Sudan Legislative Assembly despite the fact that the event was not on the order paper of the day.
The Rt. Hon. Abdirahin Abdi briefed the Assembly on the EAC integration pillars, EALA’s mandate and composition before presenting the EALA Resolution congratulating South Sudan to the Speaker of the South Sudan Legislative Assembly. The EALA Speaker was accompanied by the EALA Senior Research Officer, Mr. Charles Ngeleja Kadonya.
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For more Information, contact: Bobi Odiko, Senior Public Relations Officer; East African Legislative Assembly; Tel: +255-27-2508240 Cell: +255 787 870945, +254-733-718036; Email: bodiko@eachq.org Web: https://www.eala.org Arusha, Tanzania
