Rwanda’s Minister of East African Community (EAC) Affairs, Monique Mukaruliza, said that the decision by the EAC Heads of State during the recent Ordinary Summit does not mean the Republic of Sudan can never join the bloc.

The summit that was attended by Kenya’s Mwai Kibaki, Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi and Yoweri Museveni of Uganda declared that Sudan’s application to join the bloc does not meet the geographical proximity and contiguity criterion therefore not considered at that point in time.

"Although there might be other conditions to fulfil as requires the treaty that established the bloc, when Sudan meets the geographical proximity and contiguity criterion, a decision will be made depending on the attained qualifications,” Mukaruliza said.

She explained that by the time Sudan applied for membership, it had not separated from Southern Sudan which was in line with that clause of the treaty.

"Since Southern Sudan has also applied, if it meets the required conditions and becomes a member, this implies that Sudan will not be limited by the same condition,” she said.

On the side of Southern Sudan, the application came in late and the Council of Ministers was directed to verify it in regard to the criteria for admission and submit recommendations at the summit’s 10th extraordinary meeting.

A five year development strategy was also launched to accelerate regional integration.

"The strategy will enable member countries speed up the process of implementing protocols as it was proved that members are responding differently, for example, regardingthe implementation of the customs union,” Mukaruliza said.

 "A team of experts presented a report on the fears, challenges and concerns of a political federation”.

At the summit, Kenya’s Kibaki took over as EAC chairperson from Nkurunziza.

Also in attendance were the vice president of Tanzania, Mohamed Bilal and Rwandan Prime Minister, Pierre Damien Habumuremyi.

Ends