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· The African Union (AU) has suspended South Sudan from the
continental body in view of the latter’s failure to meet its financial
obligations over the past three years
· The dues of South Sudan to AU for three years work out to
US$ 9 million.
· Its membership arrears to the East African Community are
about US$ 24 million. South Sudan seceded from Sudan on 9 July 2011.
· It joined the African Union on 27 July 2011, thus becoming
the 54th member.
The African Union (AU) has suspended South Sudan from the continental body in view of the latter’s failure to meet its financial obligations over the past three years. A communication to this effect was sent from Sudan’s mission in Ethiopia to the Foreign Affairs Ministry confirming the development. The dues of South Sudan to AU for three years work out to US$ 9 million.
However, South Sudan’s AU membership remained intact. However, the country cannot participate in AU meetings. Sources in South Sudan point out that it is coordinating with the ministry of finance to resolve the matter not only with the AU but with other regional bodies as well. The country has defaulted on payments to several multilateral bodies.
Its membership arrears to the East African Community are about US$ 24 million. South Sudan seceded from Sudan on 9 July 2011. It joined the African Union on 27 July 2011, thus becoming the 54th member. The neighbouring Sudan also faced similar problems a year ago, when the AU’s Peace and Security Council suspended the country from all AU activities until a civilian government was formed by the pro-democrats after violent demonstrations, which had taken several lives. The country’s membership was restored after the ruling military council and
pposition groups agreed to share power in the transition to democracy. The decision to suspend the latest member of the African Union –South Sudan-was taken after a meeting in Addis Ababa of the member states of AU.
