Following its formal entry, the Democratic Republic of Congo has only two months to align its budget with that of the East African Community.
President Felix Tshisekedi is also expected to establish a ministry for EAC issues, as well as appoint a minister to lead it.
These are among the conditions that DRC must meet within the six-month time frame that the EAC has given it to complete internal and constitutional processes in order to ratify the EAC Treaty and submit it to the EAC Secretary-General.
“Following the signing of the EAC Treaty of Accession last week in Nairobi, they must quickly formalize membership in the various organs,” said Johnson Weru, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Trade.
According to the EAC Treaty, all partner states must align their financial year calendars during the budgeting process so that their national budgets can be presented on the same day.
National budgets are significant policy statements that have the potential to affect or interfere with the EAC tax regime, as well as the free movement of goods and services guaranteed by the Customs Union and the Common Market protocol.
“At the Court of Justice, they will appoint a representative.” We will assist them in becoming compliant with the Treaty’s organs and requirements.”
