Takeaways from the EACO General Assembly in Juba

From 9th to 13th June, Tony Kenyi, our IT Officer, represented Digital Rights Frontlines (DRF) at the first Advisory Council, and 30th General Assemblies of the East African Communications Organisation (EACO), held in Juba. Joined by Nelson Kwaje, Chairperson at DRF; Dhel Malith, Incident Response Officer; and Makur Majeng, Media Monitor.

This historic gathering, hosted for the first time in South Sudan, brought together regulators, telecom operators, broadcasters, and cybersecurity experts from all seven EACO member states under the theme: “Shaping the Future of East African Region through Digital Transformation.”

Key Observations & Takeaways:

• Day 1: Committee and working group meetings highlighted the need for civil society input in shaping digital policy and online safety strategies.

• Day 2: General Assembly sessions reviewed critical reports from various sectors reinforcing the importance of coordinated efforts across telecom, postal, and broadcasting for regional progress.

• Day 3: A major highlight is the signing of a regional CERT/CIRT cooperation framework. This is a big win for cybersecurity and opens doors for cross-border collaboration and incident response.

• Day 4: Assembly chairs presented insightful reports. Key issues included disinformation, data protection, and digital inclusion all areas where DRF’s work is directly relevant.

• Day 5: The event concluded with South Sudan officially taking over the EACO chairmanship, a proud and promising moment.

This conference reaffirmed that DRF has a vital role to play in regional cybersecurity and digital rights. We must now explore:

• Partnerships with national CERTs and EACO

• Contributing to policy development and digital safety programs

Participating in the EACO General Assembly was a valuable experience that broadened perspectives on the critical role of collaboration in advancing digital safety and cybersecurity. Affirming the need for stronger partnerships, proactive policies, and regional coordination to protect digital rights.

With the implementation of agreed upon concepts and work frameworks, we are sure to witness more impactful human rights movements, improved incident response capacity, and more influence in shaping a secure and inclusive digital future.

This is a call for all stakeholders governments, civil society, and tech leaders to engage meaningfully and take collective action towards building a safer digital ecosystem across East Africa.