THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY AND ECOWAS

THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY AND ECOWAS ORIGIN, OBJECTIVES, STRUCTURE, CHALLENGES AND ACHIEVEMENTS

​Founded on 6th June 1967, it comprised of Kenya Uganda and Tanzania.
Current members include: Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, the United Republic of Tanzania, and the Republic of Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.

Origin of the East African Community

​Its origin can be traced back to 1902- the efforts of the British and German colonial governments’ to establish a unified administration over the East African territories. For example, the East African Court of Appeal was established in 1902, The East African Postal Union in 1911, East African Customs Union in 1917, East African Currency Board in 1920 And East African High Commission in 1948.
 
On 9th December 1961, the East African High Commission was replaced with the East African Common Services Organization with the headquarters in Nairobi.
 
The treaty to establish the East African Community was signed on 6th June 1967. The organization came into force on 1st December 1967.

​Objectives of the East African Community

1. To maintain a common markets for the member states and promote balanced economic cooperation.
2. To provide common services to the three member states especially in the areas of transport and communication.
3. To promote political co-operation between the three countries and hence peace and security.
4. To facilitate the movement of the people within the region to foster greater cooperation and understanding among them.
5. To expand the market in a region where population and incomes are low.

​Challenges that faced the East African Community up to 1977

1. Suspicion over perceived dominance among members. Tanzania and Uganda accused Kenya of acquiring the lion’s share of benefits from the community. Kenyan industries for example were protected more by the common external tariffs.
2. Personality differences. This was between individual leaders of the three countries, making it more difficult for them to hold meetings.
3. Ideological differences. Each of the three countries pursued different economies. Kenya followed capitalism and Tanzania socialism. Uganda had a mixed economy.
4. Political instability in Uganda. The coup d’état, which overthrew Milton Obote, undermined the unity that was desired for the organization. Nyerere for example refused to recognize Amin as the president of Uganda.
5. National pride and interests. National interests were given more priority than the regional interests were. E.g Tanzania favoured railway transport while Kenya favoured road transport.
6. Boundary closures .Tanzania closed its common border with Kenya in 1977, thereby halting the community activities. There was also boundary closure between Tanzania and Uganda during the war between the two in 1978.
7. Financial constraints resulting from failure by member states to remit funds to meet the organization’s needs.
8. The use of different currencies by the three nations made transaction difficult.

The Rebirth of the East African Community-2001;
​Reasons that led to the rebirth of the East African Community in 1996

1. There was need to maintain a common market for the member states in order to promote balanced economic cooperation.
2. There was increasing need to provide common services to the three Member states especially in the areas of transport and communication as well as research.
3. There was a strong desire to promote political cooperation between the three countries in a world that was becoming a global village.
4. There was need to facilitate free movement of people in the region.
5. ​A greater lesson had been learnt following the great losses and costs incurred by the East African countries following the collapse of the Community in 1977.

​Milestones in the Formation of the East African Community-2001

1. The full East African cooperation was started on March 14, 1996, when the Secretariat of the Permanent Tripartite Commission was launched at the headquarters of EAC in Arusha, Tanzania. Ambassador Francis Muthaura was appointed the first secretary general.
2. On 19th November 1996, the agreement for the establishment of the East African Business Council was signed in Nairobi.
3. On 29th April 1997, the second summit of heads of state was held in Arusha. It launched the first East African Cooperation development strategy (1997-2000).
4. On 30th April 1998, the ninth meeting of the Permanent Tripartite Commission in Arusha launched the treaty for the establishment of the East African Community.
5. On 24th November 1998, the first East African Ministerial meeting on the Lake Victoria hyacinth was held in Arusha. A regional strategy was developed for control of the lake hyacinth.
6. On 22nd January 1999, the third summit met in Arusha and directed the Permanent Tripartite Commission to complete the treaty –making process by 30th July 1999.
7. The treaty establishing the East African Community-2001 was signed on 30th November 1999 in Arusha by the three heads of state.

​The structure of the New East African Community

In the november 30, 1999 treaty, the following organs were established to coordinate the activities and the direction of the community.

1. The Summit of Heads of State. It had the responsibility of giving direction towards realization of the goals and objectives of the community. It was the community’s supreme organ, consisting of the three heads of state with the chair being rotational.
2. The Council of Ministers. The main decision–making organ of the heads of governments of the member states. It comprised the designated ministers from member states.
3. The Coordinating Committee. Made up of permanent secretaries. It reports to the council of ministers. It coordinates the activities of the sectoral committees.
4. The Sectoral Committees. These are committees created by the council on recommendation of the respective coordinating committee.
5. The East African Legislative Assembly. It provides a democratic forum for debate. It is also a watchdog of the activities of the community. It is a 30 -member assembly whose members are drawn from the member state.
6. The Secretariat. Based in Arusha, it carried out the day-to-day administrative duties of the community.
7. The Court of justice of East Africa. This was the highest appellate court in the region.

Other autonomous institutions established by the Council include;

• The East African Development Bank (EADB).
• Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (LVFO)
• Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA)

​Challenges that have faced the EAC-2001

1. Suspicion still exists over perceived dominance of Kenya in the community affairs.
2. Despite signing the treaty in 1999, Tanzania customs are still taxing Kenyan products.
3. Increased cross-border smuggling. The freedom of movement within the region sometimes results in smuggling of illegal arms and spread of crime and insecurity. E.g. the smuggling of a vehicle belonging to Kenya’s Chief of Staff, General Joseph Kibwana to Tanzania in 2004.
4. Cattle rustling across the borders. This is common on the Kenya Uganda border with the Pokot and Karamojong attacking each other
5. Arrest of Kenyan fishermen on Lake Victoria by either Tanzania or Ugandan policemen/navy accusing them of fishing in their waters.
6. Membership to other regional bodies e.g. COMESA, SADDC. This complicates the work of the EAC.
7. The recent wrangles between Kenya and Uganda over ownership of Migingo Island. Although this problem was resolved by Uganda conceding Kenya’s ownership of the Island, it raised tension between the two countries.
8. The use of different currencies by the three nations has made transaction difficult.
9. Political squabbles in the individual countries slow down the progress of the community
10. ​Individual national interests have slowed down the implementation of the activities of the community the deep-seated differences between the member states over the proposed taxes on imports from countries outside the region.

Achievements of the East African Community-2001

1. It has boosted movement of citizens within the three member states of East Africa. An East African passport has been introduced.
2. It has provided a forum for the East African Leaders to discuss issues harmoniously.
3. It has facilitated the improvement and expansion of transport and communication networks between the three East African countries.
4. Tariffs for industrial goods produced in East Africa have been reduced.
5. Investment procedures have been eased to enable all citizens to invest more easily within the community.
6. It has enhanced cooperation of the civil society leading to formation of the Law Society of East Africa and the Business Council of East Africa.
7. ​The community has promoted trade among member states by encouraging citizens to conduct trade in all the countries.

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THE ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF WEST AFRICAN STATES:
Formation of ECOWAS

This is a regional group comprising of 15 West African countries. 
The treaty establishing ECOWAS was signed in Lagos, Nigeria on 28th may 1975 by Gambia, Mali, Cape Verde, Burkina Faso, Niger, Bénin, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Senegal, Guinea–Bissau, Nigeria and Guinea.

​Objectives of ECOWAS

1. To provide economic co-operation among West African states in specialized fields such as transport, communication, agriculture, trade industry etc.
2. To liberalize trade between member states.
3. To improve relations between the member states.
4. To improve living standards of people in the member states.
5. To create a customs union in the region.
6. To promote industrial development among member states.
7. ​To promote cultural interaction among the member states.

​Organization of ECOWAS

The following are organs that were established to coordinate the activities and the direction of ECOWAS.

1. The Authority of Heads of State and government. The authority meets once a year, with the chair being rotational.
2. The Council of Ministers. It comprises the designated ministers from member states. It meets twice a year. It manages the affairs of the community.
3. The Tribunal. Acting as the industrial court, it was established for settling disputes arising from the community.
4. The Executive Secretariat. Based in Lagos, Nigeria, it carries out the day-to-day administrative duties of the community.
5. Specialized commissions and Agencies. E.g the Committee on industry, natural resources and Agricultural Matters, the Committee on Trade, Customs and Immigrations Matters, the Committee on Transport and Communication, the Committee on Culture and Social Affairs

Achievements of ECOWAS

1. The defence Act adopted by ECOWAS in 1981 provided military support to any Member state attacked by outsiders. Their defence force known as ECOMOG was instrumental in quelling civil wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
2. Economically, Member states benefit from ECOWAS. For example, Nigeria provides her oil to member states at a reduced price.
3. The community has enabled regular meeting of the Heads of State to tackle problems facing the region.
4. Socio-cultural exchanges within the West African region have promoted good relations among the people.
5. Improvement has been realized in transport, trade, agriculture and communication.
6. The organization has resolved political problems facing member states.
7. ECOWAS has enabled citizens of member states to move freely from one country to another through waiver of visa requirements.
8. ​There has been progress in education through the establishment of a Joint examination Syllabus for West African States.

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​Challenges that ECOWAS has faced in its operation

1. Political instability in member states. Countries like Nigeria and Ghana have witnessed Military coups. Civil wars have been fought in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Ivory Coast. These have been a hindrance to cooperation.
2. Nationalistic issues. Most member states give priority to their own domestic issues at the expense of the organization.
3. Language barrier. Countries in West Africa inherited the languages of their former colonial masters. The problem in communication has hindered the efficient operation of the organization.
4. Infrastructural problems. The state of roads, railway and communication linkages are poor. This has hampered economic progress of member states.
5. Ideological differences. The leaders of the member states view each other with suspicion and mistrust due to differences in ideologies.
6. Lack of uniform currency. Each country has its own currency. This creates a problem of rates of exchange thus hindering trade.
7. Foreign interference. The presence of Israeli and French soldiers in Cote D’Ivoire was viewed suspiciously by guinea.
8. ​Border closures. For example between Ghana and Togo and between Burkina Faso and Mali.
   

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