South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Awan Achiek
The Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) on Tuesday ratified a new treaty of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) replacing a previous agreement.
The new treaty replaces the agreement that gave birth to IGAD in 1996, effectively putting in place several changes, including its chairmanship.
The treaty was adopted by Heads of States and government during the 14th ordinary session of the IGAD summit held in Djibouti in June last year.
It expands and diversifies areas of cooperation among member States and with the international community.
The treaty further provides the regional body with powers to impose sanctions on member States.
It also mandates every policy organ of IGAD to have a defined number of meetings per calendar year including quarterly, biannually and annually as applicable.
The treaty will enter into force after at least two-thirds of the member States have signed it.
The treaty was tabled on Tuesday before august house by Scopas Taban, Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Foreign Affairs and International.
Scopas Taban, Deputy Chairperson of Committee for Foreign Affairs and International said the treaty will widen and deepen cooperation among member States to achieve sustainable development in the region.
Taban said the aim was to accelerate regional, economic, social and environmental, political integration and cross border among member states.
“The purpose of the treaty is to replace the Agreement Establishing Inter-Governmental Authority on Drought and Development (IGADD) to widen and deepen cooperation to achieve sustainable development in the IGAD region,” Taban said during the treaty presentation on Tuesday.
He underscored the importance for the country to fulfil its obligation including payment of membership fee to be able to fully participate in the regional bloc.
He stressed the need to make use of the opportunities provided by member states such as employment opportunities.
Natelina Amjima Malek, the Deputy Chair of the Information Committee said the treaty was unanimously adopted and ratified by the august house.
South Sudan joined IGAD on 9th June 2011, the same day it gained independence.
