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President Salva Kiir has signed into law the Treaty Establishing the East African Community Act 2026, marking a key step in South Sudan’s full accession to the regional bloc.

The signing on Wednesday was witnessed by the Speaker of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly, Hon. Joseph Ngere Paciko; the Speaker of the Council of States, Daniel Akot Akot; and the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Planning, Michael Ayuen Johnson.

Under South Sudanese law, a bill passed by the National Legislature only becomes law after receiving presidential assent.

The Act aims to domesticate the Treaty establishing the East African Community and its protocols into the national laws of South Sudan. It gives full legal effect to the country’s obligations under the Treaty, making it an integral part of the national legal framework in line with Chapter 1, Article 3.

This step confirms that South Sudan has fulfilled the legal requirements for accession, including its commitments under the EAC Customs Union framework.