The Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community highlights the creation of a Common Market that ensures free movement of labor, services, and sites. Photo: Courtesy
By Adonis Byemelwa
Arusha: The Republic of South Sudan 4th October 2024 officially acceded to the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) for engineers within the East African Community (EAC), marking a significant advancement toward the free movement of professional engineers across the region.
This agreement, designed to streamline the recognition of engineering qualifications among the EAC Partner States, aims to promote the cross-border mobility of professionals, enhancing the transfer of knowledge and expertise.
The accession ceremony in Arusha was attended by representatives from the Engineering Council of South Sudan, the Engineers Board of Kenya, the Engineers Registration Boards of Tanzania and Uganda, the Rwanda Engineering Council, and officials from the EAC Secretariat.
GIZ, through its Digitalisation for East African Trade and Integration (DIGEAT) and Leveraging Integration Frameworks for Trade (LIFTED) initiatives, supported the event, emphasizing the need to harmonize professional standards in the region in line with the EAC's Common Market Protocol.
The Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community highlights the creation of a Common Market that ensures free movement of labor, services, and capital. The MRA represents a crucial step in realizing this vision by recognizing academic and professional qualifications across borders, enabling engineers to work seamlessly throughout the region.
Dr. Dorcas Omukhulu, EAC Principal Education Officer, stressed the importance of maintaining quality assurance for engineering professionals, urging other Partner States yet to join the MRA to do so.
Meanwhile, Eng. Benard Kavishe, Chairman of the Engineers Registration Board of Tanzania, commended the comprehensive conformity assessment that facilitated South Sudan's inclusion, noting its potential to strengthen the regional engineering profession and bolster economic growth.
The GIZ Cluster Coordinator, Ritcher Bjoern, highlighted GIZ's longstanding support for East African integration, celebrating this milestone as a testament to 25 years of cooperation in the region's economic journey.
South Sudan's accession is seen as a vital step toward furthering regional cooperation within the EAC, enabling the region's skilled professionals to contribute to its development. The MRA, supported by DIGEAT and LIFTED, is expected to serve as a model for other professions, underscoring the EAC's commitment to fostering a vibrant, integrated community.
With this move, South Sudan joins its neighbors in strengthening the engineering profession and setting the stage for greater regional development through collaboration and shared expertise.