Jacob Dut Chol Riak

Abstract

This book is a ground-breaking work for regional integration and the Accession of South Sudan to the East African Community (EAC). It details the ‘nitty-gritty’ of regional integration, its theoretical and philosophical ethos.

The book argues that South Sudan’s Accession to the EAC was process-driven as the technical teams drawn from various governmental departments negotiated the accession. However, the book argues that after the country’s admission to the EAC, the Government of the Republic of South Sudan failed to seize the opportunity of implementing the protocols, programs, and projects of the EAC for the benefits of its citizens.

The book further argues that while Accession to the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) is the right decision for any state and its citizens, regional economic communities or blocs do not tangibly assist countries in the transformation of their socio-economic and political situations if their internal conditions are wanting. Although South Sudan was given a stay of application after her admission to the EAC in October 2016, the stay expired in October 2019 and thus, the nascent state risked being de-admitted to EAC if it did not implement the three community protocols and pay its accumulated annual membership fees at once.