EAC member-state flags. (Courtesy).

South Sudan’s government has paid arrears of $7 Million to the regional bloc to avoid termination of its membership as President Salva Kiir is expected to assume the chair at Heads of State Summit in two weeks’ time, according to regional MP Kim Gai Ruot.

On Wednesday, some lawmakers in the East Africa Legislative Assembly recommended the termination of membership of countries that do not fulfil their financial obligation to the regional bloc.

The motion was presented by lawmaker by Kenyan MP Maina Mwangi, and backed by some Ugandan and Kenyan lawmakers.

It urges the expulsion of countries that did not contribute to the unity and annual membership subscriptions of the regional bloc members.

Speaking to Eye Radio in an exclusive interview via a WhatsApp from Tanzania on Thursday, MP Ruot said the arrears were remitted this week.

He added that President Kiir is set to replace Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye whose one-year tenure came to an end mid this year.

“I want to inform our public that the Republic of South Sudan this week remitted an amount equivalent to 7.2 million USD to the community which means now that South Sudan doesn’t have any arrears in the regional body.

“Therefore, we remain with the current financial year, which is not ending yet, it will end on 30TH June next year, which means we have a good time to own our obligations to the community,

” I want to assure the public that even this motion was raised, we are going to debate in Kigali in good face because we own our obligations to the community.

“And also, the good news is that, our President General Salva Kiir Mayardit is going to take over the summit by 24^Th of this month.”

The EAC heads of State summit is expected to take place next week in Arusha, Tanzania on November from 23 to24 where the regional leaders are also expected to discuss climate change and food security.

The EAC chairmanship is a rotating position that is held by each member state for a one-year term.