Jumuiya: East African Community Law Journal

In 2024, the East African Community (EAC) will be marking 25 years since the Treaty for Establishment of the East African Community (EAC Treaty) was adopted on 30 November 1999. Over these 25 years, the EAC has expanded its membership and geographical growth. The EAC Treaty entered into force on 7 July 2000 following its ratification by the original three Partner States – Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Seven years on, Rwanda and Burundi acceded to the EAC Treaty on 18 June 2007 and formally joined on 1 July 2007. After South Sudan’s cessation in 2011, Sudan sought to join the EAC, but the EAC Partner States rejected this application, among others, for Sudan’s lack of contiguous borders with the then existing EAC. Later, South Sudan acceded to the EAC Treaty on 15 April 2016 and formally joined as full member on 15 August 2016.