The East African Community secretary general Peter Mathuki has lauded Kenya for waiving visa requirement for South Sudan citizens holding the country’s valid passport.
Mathuki said the move is in line with the decision announced by the EAC Heads of State chair President Uhuru Kenyatta, during the 21st Ordinary Summit of the EAC Heads of State on February 27.
“This demonstrates the goodwill among the EAC Heads of State in promoting regional integration and revamping relations, which is set to boost intra-EAC trade,” Mathuki said.
Other partner states that have also waived visa requirements for South Sudanese citizens are Rwanda and Tanzania.
In a statement from Arusha, Mathuki lauded South Sudan, which has in the spirit of reciprocity also waived visa requirements for Kenyans, Rwandans and Tanzanians wishing to visit the country.
“This is a positive step towards realising the gains of the Protocol on Establishment of the EAC Common Market and a win for the community. It is set to expand trade and investment opportunities and scale up economic and social progression across the bloc,” he said.
Article 10 of the EAC Common Market Protocol states that citizens of EAC partner states are at liberty to accept employment within the territories of partner states other than their own.
“The EAC Secretariat urges partner states that have not yet waived visa requirements for South Sudanese citizens to expedite the negotiations in line with the provisions of the Common Market Protocol on free movement of persons and workers,” Mathuki said.
Article 7 of the EAC Common Market Protocol stipulates that "EAC partner states shall ensure non‐discrimination of the citizens of the other partner states based on their nationalities by ensuring entry of citizens of the other partner states into the territory of the partner state without a visa and free movement of persons who are citizens of the other partner states within the territory of the partner state."
It further outlines that, "EAC citizens are allowed to stay in the territory of a Partner State and exit without restrictions."
The waiver of visa requirements by partner states for South Sudanese citizens and vice versa will further promote the free movement of persons, labour and services, which will in turn step up cross-border trade in line with the EAC 2020/2021 budget theme of promoting private sector growth and trade development within the region.
-Edited by SKanyara
