South Sudan, Africa’s youngest nation, has joined the East African Community (EAC), a regional trade bloc that includes Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.
President Salva Kiir signed the treaty on Friday in the Tanzanian commercial capital Dar es Salaam, EAC said on its twitter account.
The oil-rich South Sudan seceded from the Republic of Sudan in 2011, but descended into conflict in December 2013 after President Salva Kiir accused hid then-deputy Riek Machar of plotting a coup against his government.
Machar denied the allegations but went on to mobilize a rebel force to fight the government.
The country’s development has been greatly affected by the two-year conflict that has killed thousands and forced over two million away from their homes.
The war is however expected to end next week when rebel leader Riek Machar returns to the capital to take up the post of vice president in an African Union-backed peace deal between the government and the rebels.
Ahead of Machar’s arrival, a 1,370-strong force loyal to him has arrived in the capital to ensure his security, and so has his deputy Chief Alfred Ladu.
The EAC bloc has a combied population of about 162 million people, with a gross domestic product of $147.5 billion, excluding the now newest member South Sudan.
EAC has indicated plans to adopt a single currency and political federation.Also, the bloc is pushing for a joint passport that will allow unlimited access to its citizens.
