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              South Sudan Gains Membership to E. African Community

   by Peter Clottey

   South Sudan President Salva Kiir is excited about the socio-economic
   and bilateral prospects for his country after the world's newest nation
   officially became a member of the East African Community (EAC) on
   Wednesday.

   South Sudan was voted into the economic bloc during a summit of
   regional heads of state in Arusha, Tanzania.

   "The president is jubilant," said presidential spokesman Ateny Wek
   Ateny. "He is very happy that South Sudan has made it finally to the
   community of East Africa. ... We don't have restrictions of movement
   and services between the East African Community [members] and South
   Sudan. So it is good that South Sudan has been admitted now
   officially."

   South Sudan looks forward to strong bilateral relations with
   neighboring countries, Ateny says, as well as the enormous market that
   would be available for cross border businesses -- which he says would
   be beneficial for citizens in the region.

   Other member countries are Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda.

   Critics skeptical of benefits

   Some South Sudanese say it remains to be seen how the anticipated
   transitional unity government will take advantage of the country's new
   status as a member of the EAC. Kiir is expected to form a government
   with his rival, Riek Machar, following an agreement to end the
   country's civil war.

   But Ateny expressed optimism about the prospects for trade and strong
   multilateral relations that would help to improve the life of South
   Sundanese.

   "It's a very big market now so we are happy we would all be cooperating
   on trade, on even defense, on [combating] crimes," Ateny said. "So
   there are a number of benefits that can come."

   Critics say it is unlikely South Sudan can benefit from the market the
   EAC provides. They contend that the country's economy is largely
   dependent on oil and has yet to be expanded to other promising sectors,
   including agriculture. The country is currently in an economic crunch
   due to the sharp drop in the price of fuel.

   But "South Sudan with its population of 12 million people, if it joins
   the market of more than 150 million, it can have more benefit than the
   negative," Ateny said.

   South Sudan applied for EAC membership soon after gaining independence
   from neighboring Sudan in 2011.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/south-sudan-membership-east-african-c
   ommunity/3216977.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/south-sudan-membership-east-african-community/3216977.html