The East African Community Heads of States summit has been postponed to tomorrow over disagreements on whether South Sudan and Somalia should join the region’s economic bloc.

The summit was scheduled for Monday, but was delayed to allow all five presidents to attend.

They include the South Sudanese President, Salva kiir, Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni, Kenya’s Uhuru Kenyatta, Rwanda’s Paul Kagame, and Tanzanian President John Magufuli.

Reportedly, the President of Burundi, Pierre Nkurunzinza, has also confirmed his attendance. The Vice President, James Wani Igga will represent South Sudan in the summit tomorrow.

According to The Guardian, regional officials are divided over the inclusion of South Sudan and Somalia in the bloc.

It quotes a member of the East African Legislative Assembly, Abdullah Mwinyi, warning that political instability has to be properly addressed before South Sudan can join the body.

However, the government says it has fulfilled the conditions for it to join the bloc.

“We are making peace now, and stability is coming back,” said Amb Mawien Makol, spokesperson of the ministry of foreign affairs.

In the case of Somalia, some officials in the East African Community also noted that country is still plagued with terrorism by the Al-Shabab group.

However, the executive chairperson of the Smart Legal Professionals Clinic in Arusha, Masesa Mashauri, said it was about time both countries be brought on board on condition that they adhere to EAC bylaws.

“Terrorism knows no borders… it is not fair to associate Somalia with the vice. The best option is to invite them into the bloc and ensure that they stick to the bylaws,” Mashauri said.