EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY; A MANQUÉ COOPERATION

EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY ; A MANQUÉ COOPERATION

Regional cooperation is vital for any country’s social, economic and political development. It accelerates economic progress and cultural development and provides all the individuals with the opportunity to live in dignity and to realize their full potential.

Having an inter territorial cooperation between Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika protectorates was always a dream of the British as early as 1917. It kicked off by formation of the East African High Commission (EAHC) which later evolved into East African Common Services Organization (EACSO). The organization was concerned with the provision of common services such as customs union, currency, postal services, communication, research and Education.

In 1967 after the attainment of independence of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, the East African community was formed to continue with the roles of EACSO. At this time, an East African Federation was also anticipated. The main aim of the EAC was to widen and deepen economic, political, social and cultural integration in order to improve the quality of life of the East African people through increased, competitive, value added production, trade and investment. Fifty three years later, it is consequently important to examine the extent to which the citizens of the partner states have felt the impact of the community based on the stated objective.

Political Cooperation. As the membership of the EAC grew with the accession of Rwanda and Burundi in July 2007 and South Sudan in 2016, much was expected. However achieving regional integration through political cooperation has been as arduous as nailing jelly to a tree. This had been made so by the so called “hyper nationalists” and the “association opportunists”. These are the members who either feel that their nations are too superior to join others in a Federation or feel that forming an East African Federation is an opportunity to extend their territorial powers and jurisdiction and rule over others. – Dr Christopher Kayumba.

The political struggle among the members has always been evident since 1970s. In 1976, the then president of Uganda, Iddi Amin Dada attempted to redraw the boundary of Kenya and Uganda to claim the entire western part of Kenya, including South Nyanza, Eldoret, Kericho, Nakuru and Naivasha. This kind of extreme nationalism accompanied by Amin’s animosity against Julius Nyerere of Tanzania led to the organization’s   debacle in 1977.

Economic Cooperation; Value added production, trade and investment is a key objective of the EAC after its resurgence in the year 2000. Therefore, the vital question is, does the East African Community offer enough economic benefits to the people of East Africa? As traced from its origin, the EACSO had a common customs union. In March, 2004, the East African Summit signed the protocol for the establishment of a Custom Union. The union became operational in Jan, 2005. This was a milestone it was to enable partner states enjoy economies of scale, with a view to supporting the process of economic development through the establishment of a single customs territory.

As per the protocol, the EAC partner states were to establish a free trade with customs duty on goods and services against themselves and a common external tariff on goods and services from countries outside the East African zone. 

Nonetheless, the customs union has also been coupled with hitches. For example Tanzania is having trouble to the union’s taxation protocol because it conflicts with that of the South African Development Cooperation (SADC), a different organization which Tanzania also pays allegiance to. This is same to other countries such as Kenya and Uganda which are members of Common Markets for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) which has a different taxation programme. 

Notwithstanding that, the desire to replace the individual national currencies with the East African shilling has shot blanks ever since. This has seemed impossible because of the disparity in the value of the individual currencies. As others keep appreciating, others have kept depreciating. 

Social Cooperation. The social relationship of the citizens from the member states of EAC is also an important aspect to consider. Here, the imperative question is, apart from the bond between the heads of states, the correlation of members of the East African  Legislative Assembly and the poorly conducted East African Military games, has the community managed to extend the correspondence to the lowest common denominator? Do the citizens move freely across the boarders without any prejudice?

This aspect has also encountered countable tests. In 2019, there was a boarder closure between Uganda and Rwanda over alleged political killings and attacking trade. For months, Kigali – Kampala movement was dreadful.

Apart from the East African community anthem and flag, the citizens of member states are also united by the Swahili language which is spoken in most of the member states. However, South Sudan and Uganda are left out in this. It is also important to note that that the harmonization of the East African education systems and training curricula is still in process since 1998. That is twenty two years.

It would be justifiable to conclude that the EAC though has good institutions, plans, objectives and aims; it still remains unenthusiastic about the real affairs of the East African citizens. The community of legislators and statesmen has registered limited success which can be described as  just a flash in the pan.