Why EAC shelved an important OSBP mission

Arusha. The East African Community (EAC) has abruptly shelved the High-Level Border Sensitization and Inspection Mission that was planned at the Kenya and Tanzania One-Stop Border Post in Namanga.

A statement issued on Friday, April 19, 2024, signed by the EAC spokesperson, Mr Simon Owaka, says the decision was taken due to some unforeseen circumstances.

Originally scheduled to take place on April 19, 2024, the statement says, the mission aimed to assess the performance of one-stop border posts (OSBPs), identify areas for improvement, and review the status of implementation of agreed action plans.

“While this postponement is regrettable, the EAC remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering regional cooperation and enhancing border efficiencies,” reads part of the statement.

The statement adds: “The EAC was actively working to reschedule the mission and that the new dates will be announced in due course.”

Meanwhile, from previous visits to other borders, it was discovered that there was a significant increase in traffic across the Uganda and South Sudan borders, indicating the growing importance of efficient trade facilitation measures between the two EAC member states.

Experts are, however, pointing out the importance of consolidating various government agencies into one central location to expedite clearance times and simplify procedures for cross-border traders, according to him.

There are also some environmental factors; he said, for instance, floods are reported to frequently affect the Elegu and Nimule precincts on either side of the territorial boundaries.

“Government officials, trade representatives, and other stakeholders from Uganda and South Sudan recently convened at Nimule Border for a high-level joint border sensitization mission focused on strengthening cross-border trade relations and fostering regional integration,” he said.

The mission provided a platform for in-depth discussions on various issues impacting trade between the two partner states, with a particular emphasis on the implementation of OSBPs and other trade facilitation measures, according to the statement.

Furthermore, the document says despite the progress, the mission discovered challenges such as differing operational hours and tax regimes.

The statement says the emphasis needs to be harmonisation and coordination between border authorities to ensure smoother trade operations.

An East African Legislative Assembly lawmaker, Dr Anne Itto, said the community had put in place various initiatives to facilitate trade and regional integration, and that OSBPs take center stage.

For her part, the EAC deputy secretary general in charge of customs, trade, and monetary affairs, Ms Annette Ssemuwemba, said the community’s secretariat would work jointly with Uganda and South Sudan in the developing strategies aimed at transforming operations at the Elegu-Nimule border.

South Sudan’s Ministry of EAC Affairs’ Under Secretary, Beny Gideon Mabor, said that their deliberations centered on the Customs Union and Common Market, both pivotal components of the EAC integration agenda.