Here’s how to deal with EAC’s defaulters, DR Congo, South Sudan and Burundi
By failing to pay the fee at the gate, President Felix Tshisekedi is damaging DRC’s reputation needlessly, and reviving fading stereotypes of the Congolese (men) as fellows who love the fun things in life. ILLUSTRATION | JOSEPH NYAGAH | NMG
Last week, The EastAfrican told us that members had paid only half of the East African Community’s $103 million budget for the 2023/24 financial year, by May 17. The Democratic Republic of Congo is the lead EAC dead beat. Ever since it joined in 2022, it has not contributed even one bob and owes $14.7 million. Kenya, which pays its dues with one fat cheque at the beginning of the year, is up to date.
Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda have “relatively small balances”, it said, with information indicating that Uganda’s outstanding $960,774 comprised mostly bank balances. Tanzania owed $122,694, which might well be delivery fees.
