JUBA—Regional aviation regulators are meeting in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, to review civil aviation regulations and discuss ways to strengthen safety and security oversight and enforce international operational standards across the East African Community.
The 77th Technical Committee Regulatory (TC-R) meeting of the East African Community’s Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency (CASSOA) is taking place at Juba’s Pyramid Continental Hotel.
The two-day forum brings together officials and technical experts from East African Community member states to address regulatory bottlenecks, exchange technical expertise, and harmonize safety practices across the region.
Speaking on behalf of the director-general at the opening ceremony, Habbib Dafalla, Director of Corporate Services at the South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority (SSCAA), underscored the critical role of cross-border collaboration.
He stated that robust regulatory frameworks and adherence to global standards are essential for building a safe, reliable, and efficient air transport network.
Meanwhile, Francis Lichuma, Acting Executive Director of CASSOA, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to providing technical assistance to South Sudan, helping the national authority align its operational standards with regional and international benchmarks.
Johnson Marun Telar, South Sudan’s Director of Aviation Safety and Security Regulation, noted that hosting the event highlights Juba’s dedication to institutional capacity building and regional cooperation. Participants are expected to formulate key recommendations to strengthen regulatory oversight and elevate aviation safety across member states.
The regional gathering comes at a critical time for South Sudan’s aviation sector, which has struggled for years with persistent civil aviation safety crisis.
The country’s aviation sector has been plagued by recurring air crashes, aging Soviet-era cargo aircraft, inadequate airport infrastructure, and weak enforcement of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.
Commercial and chartered flights, often operated by older turboprop aircraft, remain a vital lifeline in South Sudan due to limited road networks.
Recent frequent fatal aviation accidents have drawn international concern.