South Sudan Loses EAC Top Job Over Membership Arrears

(ARUSHA) – The East African Community has appointed Tanzanian diplomat Stephen Patrick Mbundi as its new Secretary General, bypassing South Sudan which was next in line to hold the post under the bloc’s rotation system over membership arrears.

Regional leaders confirmed the appointment in Arusha, where they met to decide on the leadership of the eight member body. Mbundi, a veteran diplomat with more than 28 years of experience, takes over from Kenya’s Veronica Nduva, whose term has come to an end.

Tanzania’s foreign ministry issued a statement welcoming the appointment:

“The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania warmly welcomes the appointment of Ambassador Stephen Patrick Mbundi as the new Secretary General of the East African Community,” the ministry said.

Before his appointment, Mbundi served as Permanent Secretary in Tanzania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation.

In that role he was responsible for East African Community affairs and often represented the country at high level regional and international meetings.

“Ambassador Mbundi played a key policy and administrative role in Tanzania’s foreign relations, particularly in matters related to regional integration and cooperation within the EAC,” the statement said.

The ministry added that Mbundi has worked extensively with various EAC organs, partner states, development partners and the private sector. His work has focused on advancing regional integration and addressing challenges that affect the free movement of trade and people.

“Mbundi has a long standing history with the EAC integration agenda and brings renewed impetus to the Community,” the statement said.

South Sudan was next in line to fill the Secretary General post under the bloc’s rotational arrangement. However, partner states have raised concerns over Juba’s failure to pay its financial contributions to the regional body.

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir did not attend the summit in Arusha. He instead sent his foreign minister to represent the country.

The leadership change comes as the East African Community continues to push its agenda of deeper regional integration among member states.

The bloc recorded trade worth 6.11 trillion Kenyan shillings, about 47 billion US dollars or approximately 305.5 trillion South Sudanese pounds, driven by export growth across the region.

The EAC has also been working to harmonise border surveillance, contain disease outbreaks, and adopt a new funding formula that has seen some member contributions rise sharply.