By EAC Post Staff | March 7, 2026
The recent decision by East African Community (EAC) heads of state to appoint a Tanzanian diplomat as the bloc’s new secretary-general has sent ripples through diplomatic circles in Juba. South Sudan, which had been expected to assume the position under the organization’s rotational leadership structure, found itself sidelined—raising serious questions about the country’s standing within the regional bloc it joined in 2016.
Understanding the Missed Opportunity
The appointment of Stephen Patrick Mbundi from Tanzania to lead the eight-member regional organization represents more than just a diplomatic setback for South Sudan. It signals deeper structural challenges that the world’s youngest nation must address if it hopes to play a meaningful role in regional integration efforts.
Sources within the EAC Secretariat indicate that South Sudan’s failure to secure the position stems primarily from accumulated arrears in membership contributions—a recurring issue that has strained relations between Juba and other partner states for years.
The Financial Burden of Regional Integration
When South Sudan joined the EAC in September 2016, the move was hailed as a significant step toward economic diversification and regional stability. However, the reality of membership fees, combined with domestic economic challenges and fluctuating oil revenues, has created a persistent payment crisis.
Under EAC rules, member states are expected to contribute equally to the community’s budget—a system that has now been reformed following the Arusha summit. The new funding formula, which takes into account economic size, may actually benefit South Sudan in the long term, but only if the country addresses its outstanding obligations.
The recent decision to waive 50% of accumulated arrears offers Juba a lifeline, but the requirement to pay the remaining balance within two years presents a significant fiscal challenge for a government already grappling with salary arrears, infrastructure deficits, and humanitarian needs.
Diplomatic Engagement: Quality Over Quantity
President Salva Kiir’s decision to send his foreign minister rather than attend the Arusha summit personally has drawn criticism from regional observers who argue that high-level engagement is essential for securing leadership positions within the bloc.
“Regional integration requires personal investment from heads of state,” noted one East African diplomat who spoke on condition of anonymity. “When you’re asking partner states to support your candidate for a top position, your presence matters.”
This absence stands in contrast to the approach taken by other member states, whose presidents regularly attend EAC summits and engage bilaterally with counterparts to build consensus on key appointments.
The Road to Recovery
For South Sudan to reclaim its position as a respected member of the EAC, several steps are necessary:
First, the government must prioritize clearing its outstanding contributions within the two-year window established at the Arusha summit. Failure to do so could result in further marginalization and potential suspension of certain membership benefits.
Second, Juba needs to ratify outstanding treaty obligations. The summit’s decision to require treaty compliance for countries nominating candidates for senior positions means South Sudan must demonstrate its commitment to full membership before it can realistically aspire to leadership roles.
Third, South Sudan should leverage the new weighted contribution system to its advantage. As the country with the smallest economy in the bloc, the new formula—where 50% of contributions are based on economic size—could reduce Juba’s financial burden while maintaining full membership rights.
Fourth, sustained high-level diplomatic engagement is essential. The foreign ministry should develop a comprehensive EAC strategy that includes regular presidential attendance at summits, bilateral meetings with key partner states, and active participation in EAC technical committees.
Looking Ahead
The missed opportunity to lead the EAC Secretariat should serve as a wake-up call for South Sudan’s policymakers. Regional integration offers the country its best path toward economic development, infrastructure connectivity, and political stability—but only if Juba treats membership as a priority rather than an afterthought.
As Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni assumes the rotating chairmanship of the bloc, South Sudan has an opportunity to reset its relationship with the EAC. The coming two years will be critical in determining whether the country can transform its membership from a troubled obligation into a strategic asset.
The question now is not whether South Sudan can afford to remain engaged with the EAC, but whether it can afford not to.
About the author: EAC Post Staff covers regional integration, diplomacy, and East African affairs.
