#News: East African Ministers sign MoU on single customs territory Foreign Affairs ministers from Uganda, South Sudan, Kenya and Rwanda signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for a customs union on Monday (October 28) in Kigali, Rwanda. The signing of the MoU by the foreign affairs ministers, was witnessed by the respective presidents, and marked the launch of the single customs territory. ‘‘The borders of Uganda, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and South Sudan are no more to their respective citizens”, tweeted Rwanda’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Louise Mushikiwabo. The agreement is expected to boost business between the partner states and will facilitate the easy movement of goods and services from the Kenya port of Mombasa to Uganda, Rwanda and South Sudan. The Presidents agreed to the waiving of visa fees within their territories, and called for Uganda, Kenya and South Sudan to carry out further consultations for a joint oil pipeline project. The foreign affairs minister had met a day before their presidents who were hosted by President Paul Kagame for the 3rd Infrastructure Summit in Kigali. The summit was called to review implementation of what the President had agreed on at a previous meeting in August in Kenya. South Sudan is not yet a member of the East African Community but discussions on the country’s admission will begin on November 7.
Posted on: Tue, 29 Oct 2013 11:01:52 +0000