South Sudanese listen to speeches at John Memorial Park on July 9, 2013

The community empowerment for progress organization, CEPO, has urged the government to carry out public sensitization on the admission of South Sudan into the east African community. 

The call comes a day after the 17th summit of the East African Heads of State in Arusha resolved to accept South Sudan as a member.

In a statement, the Executive Director for CEPO, Edmond Yakani says the membership provides a new opportunity for the member states to directly engage the government on the peace process.

“Whatever the next procedural or regulatory steps that South Sudan government has to follow for gaining the full membership of EAC, CEPO is calling upon the old member states of EAC to use the timely and effective implementation of the signed peace agreement as a benchmark,” Mr Yakani stated.

The membership of South Sudan now increases the common market of the East African Community to 162 million people.

South Sudan applied for the membership soon after gaining independence from in 2011.