EALA yesterday passed a resolution congratulating the government and people of South Sudan following their landmark independence on July 9, 2011. With that, EALA urged the EAC Partner States through the Council of Ministers to pursue sustained and increased trade, political and social co-operation with South Sudan, noting that all parties were expected to reap from the independence of the world’s youngest State.
The Resolution moved by Hon. Dan Kidega, EALA MP, received overwhelming support on the floor of the House. The Resolution noted in part that the struggles of the citizens of South Sudan were of regional, continental and international concern which resulted in to a Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005 to guide the future relations between the South and North Sudan.
“The relationship between the political leaders of the EAC and the South Sudan which are strong and cordial are expected to be intensified following the independence of South Sudan”, Hon Kidega said.
South Sudan attained its independence on July 9 2011 in a ceremony attended by world leaders and thousands of people from all walks of life. EALA was represented at the celebrations by the Speaker, Rt. Hon Abdirahin Abdi and a number of legislators. Two days later, the EALA delegation called on H.E. President Salva Kiir at State House, Juba where they held talks.
During the talks, President Salva Kiir Mayardit hinted South Sudan was ready to join the EAC to enable it begin to reap from the benefits of regional integration. H.E. General Salva Kiir hailed the EAC for supporting South Sudan and the Sudan during the period of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.
“I note with gratification EALA’s efforts in ensuring peace in South Sudan prevailed. I am happy they were part of the struggle. The Assembly visited South Sudan to assess the state of preparedness during the period leading to the referendum and again at the referendum proper to observe the actual process. I thank the Rt. Hon. Speaker and EALA for this”, President Kiir added.
During debate yesterday, Members called on the EAC to reach out to South Sudan to join the bloc.
Making his maiden speech, Kenya’s Minister for EAC, Hon Musa Sirma urged the EAC to fast-track the process of embracing South Sudan in to the regional bloc. Hon Sirma called for commitment to the integration process. “We must not only implement the Treaty but be innovative if the integration process is to be strengthened”, said Hon Sirma, while adding his voice to supporting the resolution.
Other Members who rose to support the Resolution were Hon. Gervase Akhaabi, Hon. Leonce Ndarubagiye, Hon. Clarkson Otieno Karan and Hon Tiperu Nusura.
The Assembly resolved to empower the Speaker to transmit the resolution to the President and the Speaker of the Parliament of South Sudan.
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NOTE TO EDITORS ABOUT EALA
The East African Legislative Assembly is the legislative organ of the East African Community. Its Membership consists of a total of 52, of whom 45 are elected Members (9 from each Partner State) and seven ex-officio members (the Ministers responsible for EAC Affairs from the Partner States, the Secretary General of the Community and the Counsel to the Community).
The East African Legislative Assembly has legislative functions as well as oversight of all East African Community matters. The enactment of legislation of the Community is effected by means of Bills passed by the Assembly and assented to by the Heads of State, and every Bill that has been duly passed and assented to become an Act of the Community and takes precedent over similar legislations in the Partner States.
EALA in June 2010 launched its Strategic Plan and Website at its 5th Meeting of the third Session held in Nairobi and Mombasa, Kenya respectively. The Strategic Plan is expected to go a long way to firmly entrench the EALA as the epitome of the Community’s democracy and unity. The EALA website www.eala.org provides the Assembly with the means to communicate actively with the citizens of East Africa and beyond and enhances public understanding of the legislature’s role and responsibilities.
For more information, contact
Bobi Odiko
Senior Public Relations Officer
East African Legislative Assembly Tel: +255-27-2508240
Fax: +255-27-2503103 Cell: +255-787-870945
+254-733-718036 Email: BOdiko@eachq.org
Web: https://www.eala.org
