The EAC Secretary General, H.E. Veronica M. Nduva, held a meeting with the Chairperson of the Summit of the EAC Heads of State and President of the Republic of South Sudan, H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, at State House, Juba, South Sudan.

During the meeting, the Secretary General updated President Kiir on the preparations for the upcoming EAC Silver Jubilee celebrations, to commemorate the milestones made in the last 25 years and providing a platform to address issues hampering integration.

The Secretary General updated the Chairperson of the Summit on the proposed agenda items for the EAC Heads of State Ordinary Summit scheduled for November 2024.

They further discussed the necessity for a comprehensive review of the Treaty establishing the EAC to ensure it continues to meet the needs of all Partner States. This review aims at ensuring that the Treaty addresses the evolving challenges and aspirations of the EAC Partner states, thereby enhancing regional cooperation and integration.

To enhance EAC’s collaborative efforts, the Secretary General proposed the establishment of a regional Tripartite Forum on Peace and Security, which would provide a platform to address shared security challenges and promote regional stability.

On his part, President Kiir reaffirmed his commitment to the EAC integration and urged the Secretary General to strategically devise strategies that will further enhance the integration of South Sudan into the Community.

The President further directed the Secretary General to put in place mechanisms to increase South Sudan’s level of participation in intra-regional trade in addition to initiatives that will enable the people of South Sudan to fully capitalize on the benefits of the Community.

President Kiir commended the current close collaboration between EAC Organs and Institutions as a clear commitment towards achieving the objectives of the Community. 

H.E. Nduva stressed the urgency of operationalising the Nimule-Elego border crossing with Uganda, a critical step for enhancing regional connectivity and trade, adding that fully operationalising this border would facilitate the movement of goods and people, thereby boosting South Sudan’s economic engagement in the EAC.

Additionally, she urged South Sudan to prioritise the domestication of the EAC Customs Union Management Act to align its customs operations with EAC standards and improve trade relations with other Partner States.

They further discussed on the full operationalization of the One Network Area in South Sudan to lower communication costs and enhance connectivity among EAC nations.

They also discussed the need for South Sudan Parliament to pass legislation to domesticate the EAC Treaty Bill, ensuring that citizens can fully benefit from regional integration. This legislative action is critical for embedding the principles of the EAC within South Sudan’s legal framework, enabling citizens to realize the benefits of integration.

The Secretary General conveyed her deepest condolences to the President following the loss of his elder sister last night and expressed her appreciation for His Excellency finding time to engage the EAC delegation during this difficult period.

A meeting between the EAC delegation and the Chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers, and South Sudan’s Minister of EAC Affairs, Hon. Deng Alor Kuol preceded the courtesy call on the Head of State. Hon. Alor was accompanied by the Chairperson of the Coordinating Committee and Undersecretary at the Ministry of EAC Affairs Hon. Beny

H.E. Nduva was accompanied by the Deputy Secretary General in charge of Infrastructure, Productive, Social and Political Sectors, Hon. Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth, and the Counsel to the Community, Dr. Anthony Kafumbe.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of East African Community.

Businesses say the lack of clarity around ESG and AI regulation is a key challenge to realising the benefits of technology and innovation; Despite recognising the business opportunity with AI, as firms opt to bring in suppliers rather than recruiting in-house specialists, they may be left without the internal talent – risking falling behind the curve in the future. 

New survey data from global law firm, DLA Piper, has shown that the Financial Services (FS) sector is calling out for clearer and proportionate regulations surrounding AI and ESG to help them realise the benefits these trends offer.  

In its global report – Financial Futures: Disruption in global financial services (https://apo-opa.co/3zhzr4e), published today, the firm found that eight in ten respondents are optimistic about future industry growth prospects for  the financial services industry. UK and US organisations reported the highest confidence (93% and 90% respectively) with Africa remaining more cautious (50%). 

Amongst organisation types, the research finds that banks are the most optimistic (88%), with optimism being driven by digitalisation and advancements in technology. Respondents from global FinTechs however, are feeling the least positive (72%).  

The high levels of optimism are being attributed to advancements in technology (71%), the launch of new products and services to drive growth (55%) and changing consumer and investor behaviours (38%).  

However, clarity and a proportionate approach is key as 58% of respondents cite regulation complexity around technology as a key challenge globally, and nearly three quarters (73%) go on to say that current regulations stifle innovation efforts.  

For those looking at other locations for optimal conditions for growth , the US is seen as the most attractive market (35%), followed by the EU (24%). South African and Middle Eastern respondents are the most optimistic for the positive impact AI will bring (72%, and 64% respectively), highlighting an appetite for investment, despite apparent lower levels of confidence in the local market.  

AI and Digitalisation will transform the financial services sector, but businesses need a plan  
Whilst the majority of respondents (86%) believe that AI will transform the sector, half (53%) see AI as one of their main challenges- even so, only four in ten (both 39%) are committed to hiring experts in the field of AI and imposing governance /oversight structures to maximise the related opportunities;  and half of the companies surveyed lack in-house specialists and are opting to work with specialist subcontractors.  

Without this internal talent, businesses risk falling behind the curve in the future. 

Ethical AI concerns are highly documented, yet only 56% of the organisations surveyed are developing ethical frameworks to guide their efforts. Without an ethical framework in place, businesses put themselves at risk of not meeting stakeholder, customer and board demands around AI deployments. It is vital for businesses to have a clear plan and direction in place before they start their AI journey.  

Despite not having frameworks to use, businesses report a clear understanding of the benefits AI can offer, such as managing regulatory compliance (63%); followed by fraud detection and prevention (62%). A fifth (21%) of businesses are worried about compliance issues as they look to manage the cyber security and data protection risks associated with AI.  

The importance of ESG cannot be understated  
As businesses grapple with changing ESG regulations across multiple jurisdictions, nearly (46%) half of businesses globally have ambitions to position themselves as a leader and innovator on sustainability and ESG.   

The appetite to drive ESG agendas forward is clear, but businesses report concerns on achieving their goals – over half of respondents (56%) would like to see more ESG regulation to support them in meeting their objectives, and 43%% want to understand the current regulations better.   

Businesses seem clear on the ESG challenges they need to navigate, with half stating that the reputational risk of ESG positioning is their biggest challenge, followed by integration of ESG throughout the business (47%). Businesses also ranked accurate reporting as a challenge which they are struggling to address. 

The negative external reputational risk of not complying with and need to comply with regulations are the biggest drivers for firms to engage in ESG activities (70% and 52% respectively). However, pressure from shareholders and senior management ranked lowest at 36% and 34% respectively.  

As the sector engages with ESG activities, almost 6 in ten (57%) plan to develop new ESG-focused products and services, and half are developing new technologies, yet staff development and training to optimise ESG efforts remains low on the agenda (17%).  

Almost half of the sector has ambitions to position their business as an ESG leader, whilst a third (34%) plan to replicate successful approaches by their peers. Not all organisations are so proactive – A fifth (19%) will wait until stakeholders and customers demand an approach, before making any decision. 

Mark Dwyer  Global Co-Chair of the firm’s Financial Services sector group at DLA Piper commented: “While our survey shows a high level of optimism within the financial services sector, our research reveals a need for FS organisations to go further in planning around resourcing and regulatory horizon scanning in order to navigate the opportunities that AI and other new technologies offer. 

“It is clear that ESG factors are driving changes to activity in financial markets; from financing the enormous capital requirements for transition, to ensuring accurate reporting of environmental, social and governance metrics to facilitate choice for investors and supervision and stress-testing by regulators. It is therefore vital that leaders take note of the challenges and opportunities presented by ESG and define a clear plan. Both ESG and innovation will be key to business success long into the future.” 

Johannes Gouws, Country Managing Partner, DLA Piper South Africa added: “In light of the challenges our report identifies, financial services organisations are placing a higher focus on horizon scanning, as well as mapping out global regulatory implications. Balancing adequate and over-regulation in developing markets is always challenging. However, it is crucial for regulations in African markets to keep pace with international developments in order to limit regulatory arbitrage and protect the sector’s integrity. Proportionate regulation in the sector is key, and can be a competitive advantage in attracting business and investment. With DLA Piper’s pan-African and global reach, we can help clients to simplify their cross-border challenges whilst supporting their resilience in the face of constantly changing risks.”  

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of DLA Piper.

Notes to editors: 
DLA Piper commissioned Coleman Parkes Research to canvass views of key decision-makers in global financial services organisations across the EMEA and APAC regions and North America. Nearly 800 interviews were conducted online in March and April 2024 with executives in key businesses across banking, funds and fund managers, fintech and financial services market infrastructure firms with revenues from USD1 million.  

Contact:
Suraj Mashru
Senior PR Manager (UK&International), DLA Piper
+44 (0) 207 153 2617
Suraj.Mashru@dlapiper.com 

About DLA Piper 
DLA Piper is a global law firm helping our clients achieve their goals wherever they do business. Our pursuit of innovation has transformed our delivery of legal services (https://apo-opa.co/3MPSGou). With offices in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific (https://apo-opa.co/4dczEU6), we deliver exceptional outcomes on cross-border projects, critical transactions and high-stakes disputes.  

Every day we help trailblazing organizations seize business opportunities and successfully manage growth and change at speed. Through our pro bono (https://apo-opa.co/3BkLxde) and sustainability (https://apo-opa.co/4djCiHE) work, we support communities around the world and help create a more just and sustainable future. Visit www.DLAPiper.com to discover more. 

Cecilia Achuwor, a 38-year-old mother of six children, is one of the hundreds of thousands of refugees and returnees who have crossed the border into South Sudan since the beginning of the conflict in neighbouring Sudan 16 months ago. “My husband remains in Khartoum,” she says. “We separated from him without any communication. He doesn’t know where we are and we also don’t know where he is. I am here alone with the children, and they are all sick,” she says.

Achuwor, a South Sudanese national, is at a transit centre near Renk, a small town that borders Sudan to the north. Since the beginning of the Sudanese conflict, almost 60% of the 600 000 refugees and returnees who have entered South Sudan have done so through two points of entry near Renk.  More recently, a new conflict has begun just to the east of Renk, and humanitarian workers have reported people arriving on foot through the bush.

“Rather than coming from an area like, say, Khartoum that had good access by road, now we’re seeing people literally walking into South Sudan for care and protection,” says Dr Brendan Deenan, World Health Organization (WHO) Emergency Preparedness and Response Officer in South Sudan. “So, the situation is worse than it was previously, and we are seeing many health challenges, humanitarian challenges, and protection challenges on a daily basis.”

Refugees and returnees often present with a range of infectious diseases, as well as chronic diseases. “At least 50% of the cases are communicable diseases. Malaria is on top of the list, followed by acute respiratory tract infections and we are seeing a rise in acute watery diarrhoea,” says Dr William Nazario, a doctor with International Medical Corps.

Meanwhile, Dr Ayuel Deng, Medical Officer for Renk County highlights that more and more people are presenting with hypertension, diabetes and cancers and require chronic medication and specialist services.

WHO is supporting county health authorities to coordinate the health response for returnees and refugees. At two transit centres near Renk, the Organization is providing supportive supervision to three health agencies ‒International Medical Corps, Relief International and World Vision International ‒ who deliver primary health care services to 4000 refugees and returnees a week.

This has helped to ensure better access to health services for these vulnerable populations, who have to endure difficult conditions at the transit centres. “The service here is good” says Nailla Elhadi Hamid, a 40-year-old refugee from Sudan. “I even brought my son here, who is sick with malaria, and the medicine is available. Before that, my sister had eye pain and she found the medicine was also available.”

 Following a cholera outbreak in Sudan in September 2023, WHO has trained around 92 health care workers from health facilities around Renk in cholera surveillance, prevention, treatment and control. The Organization has established a cholera screening centre at the Wunthou point of entry. Since December 2023, 320 000 people have been assessed by health workers here, not only for cholera, but also other infections diseases and health conditions. “We also provide oral rehydration solution because where people have come from, they are weak.” says John Toch, a clinical nurse at the centre.

Since the start of the conflict, WHO has also distributed 119 metric tons of medical supplies and equipment to treat 680 000 people, including kits for a range of infectious diseases and malnutrition. As part of its cross-border collaboration, WHO South Sudan country office in partnership with the WHO Sudan country office delivered 51 metric tons of emergency health kits to reach 830 000 people living in conflict-affected communities near the border. “We really appreciate WHO, because they support us a lot in terms of supplies to our partners,” says Deng.

“WHO, health authorities and implementing partners are collaborating daily to deliver health services to refugees and returnees hoping for a better life,” says Dr Humphrey Karamagi, WHO Representative in South Sudan. “Without our donors this would not be possible. So, working together with others, WHO will continue to support the health emergency response in South Sudan.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – South Sudan.

The Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, has said that telecommunication companies will be investigated, with a view of putting heavy sanctions over the continued use of unregistered mobile phone sim cards. 

In 2013, Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) was mandated to ensure mass registration of sim cards, with a view of curbing crime. 

“I have engaged the telecommunication companies and they keep giving assurance that it is only authorised numbers that are in circulation, whereas such experiences indicate the reverse. 

He added, “What I can pledge is that I am going to engage the telecommunication companies once again because it is evident that some people access unregistered numbers. They have been claiming that may be they are using numbers of dead people.”

The Minister’s remarks followed a matter of national importance raised by Butebo district woman Member of Parliament, Hon. Sarah Ameede, during plenary sitting on Thursday, 19 September 2024. 

Ameede said that residents in Butebo district have severally fallen victims of fraudsters who use unregistered sim cards. 

“There are persons registering and extorting money from people from Butebo district, purportedly as agents of the association of Teso war victims with a promise that they are working on their forms to benefit from government compensation,” she said.

Amede asked for an explanation on the legality of such activities and also urged government to put an end to extortion of unsuspecting people. 

Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Jacob Marksons Oboth agreed with Baryomunsi, saying that the Uganda Communications Act can be reviewed to penalise telecommunication companies found culpable of circulating unregistered sim cards. 

“We can look at the law again and come back here. This Parliament can save the situation through legislation, to create liability on the service providers,” Oboth said.

He added that the matter needs to be addressed because use of unregistered sim card also poses security risks.  

“Criminals in Uganda, like any other country, are using phones.  This is not a small matter, people have been killed, people have been robbed while criminals coordinate this using unregistered numbers,” he said.

Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa, welcomed the proposal to institute punitive measures against telecommunication companies. 

“You need to comb into the law to see how you can have punitive measures, in other countries that is what they have done. It is like banks, you facilitate money laundering, you find that you have been fined US$500 million and now they even close them down,” Tayebwa said. 

The matter attracted debate from several lawmakers, who said they have been victims of fraudsters who use unregistered sim cards, and they called for a lasting solution to the issue. 

Hon. Andrew Ojok (NRM, Omoro County) urged the Minister of ICT to consider a countrywide data awareness campaign with a view of enlightening the population on how to detect fraud. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.