A high level delegation from the East African Community has arrived in Juba to discuss with the government the procedures for joining the regional bloc.

South Sudan applied for the membership of the East African Community following the country’s independence in July 2011.

Early this year the secretariat of the block said it was vetting South Sudan for possible admission into the regional body despite the deteriorating security situation in the country.

The Secretary General of the East African Community, Ambassador Dr. Richard Sezibera, spoke at Juba International Airport upon his arrival this afternoon.

“So we are here to the invitation of that high Level task team to share views and the experiences about what is East Africa is all about. That is why we are here,” Dr Sezibera told reporters.

East African Community membership gives member-states a chance to trade freely in the region and to allow an easy integration for tariffs reduction and goods passage.

The current members of the East African Community include Tanzania, Burundi, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda.