South Sudan expelled from AU over $9 million membership fees

Flag of the African Union where South Sudan has been expelled for not paying membership fees for three consecutive years [Photo via AU website]

ADDIS ABABA – South Sudan has been expelled from the African Union (AU) for failing to pay membership arrears for more than three years which amount to over $9 million, the South Sudan ambassador to Addis Ababa said.

Petia Morgan who is also the head of South Sudan mission to the continental body said in a letter addressed to the ministry of foreign affairs and international cooperation that they were informed of the decision shortly before they were expelled from an AU meeting on Tuesday.

“The mission would like to inform your esteemed office that our country has been sanctioned due to lack of payment of its contribution to the African Union,” Amb. Morgan said in the letter seen by Sudans Post.

The diplomat said the country has not paid its contributions amounting to over 9 million dollars ($9,191,234.02) to the AU budget and peace funds for the last three years.

South Sudan, which seceded from Sudan on 9 July 2011, joined the African Union on 27 July 2011, becoming the 54th member. It has been also threatened to be expelled from the East African Community over a similar issue.