South Sudan’s government said it will appoint six members of its parliament as representatives to the East African Legislative Assembly in an attempt to fulfil its obligations of becoming a full member of the regional bloc.

South Sudan foreign affairs spokesman Mawien Makol Ariik, told Radio Tamazuj that once a membership fee of one million dollars is paid, the representatives will be sent to represent South Sudan at the regional parliament.

“South Sudan government is almost becoming a full member in the East African Community and we just need to pay our membership fee. This month, we are expected to choose six members to represent South Sudan to East African parliament,” he said.

East African heads of states agreed to admit South Sudan as its sixth member state last November during a summit in Tanzania.

However, there have been concerns raised by South Sudanese after the government decided to join the East African Community which includes Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi.

Some claim that South Sudanese will benefit from the exemption of visa payment and educational services in the region, while others who are against the decision say South Sudan has little to offer the region.

Photo: Chair of the EAC Council of Ministers, Amb. Dr. Augustine Mahiga receives document of instrument of ratification from Aggrey Tisa Sabuni on South Sudan at the EAC headquarters, September 5, 2016 /ANGWENYI GICHANA