The Heads of State of the East African Community (EAC) have resolved to fast-track the formation of the Political Federation, the fourth and final stage in the EAC integration process.
The announcement was made during a High-Level Side Event held at the Arusha International Conference Grounds in Tanzania, marking the 25th Anniversary of the EAC.
The Federation idea was first introduced in 1963 by the EAC’s Founding Fathers—President Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya, Dr. Apollo Milton Obote of Uganda, and Mwalimu Julius Nyerere of Tanganyika (now Tanzania).
However, despite this bold vision, its implementation was stalled by bureaucratic inertia.
Reviving a Legacy of Unity
Speaking at the event, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni reflected on the missed opportunity to establish the Federation in the 1960s.
He noted that while Tanganyika and Zanzibar successfully united to form the United Republic of Tanzania, this regional momentum was not extended to other EAC Partner States.
“The colonial powers partitioned East Africa into disconnected spheres of influence, and this disunity persisted due to internal weaknesses,” President Museveni said.
“Kenyatta, Obote, and Nyerere envisioned dismantling this disconnection by forming a Political Federation. Unfortunately, some actors let us down, and the region paid the price in the form of political instability.”
Museveni asserted that the Federation could have prevented several crises, including Idi Amin’s rule in Uganda, the ethnic conflicts in Rwanda and Burundi, and the prolonged instability in Somalia and South Sudan.
Boosting Regional Trade and Economic Integration
The Heads of State also emphasized the importance of fully operationalizing the Customs Union and Common Market protocols to enhance intra-regional trade. Currently, trade among EAC members accounts for 25–28% of their total trade, the highest among Africa’s regional economic communities.
Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto underscored this achievement, noting that “EAC is the leading economic bloc in Africa, and more Partner States are benefiting from intra-regional trade.
Tanzania, for instance, has overtaken Kenya in trade volumes within the region.”
Ruto highlighted the need for peace and security as prerequisites for economic growth. He disclosed Kenya’s efforts to mediate conflicts in South Sudan and the Horn of Africa, as well as its collaboration with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to merge the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes.
Environmental Conservation and Clean Energy Transition
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan outlined her country’s commitment to combating climate change and promoting environmental conservation. She revealed that Tanzania allocates 4–5% of its GDP to addressing climate change, yet loses about 400,000 acres of forest annually due to human activities like logging and charcoal burning.
“To reverse this trend, each district in Tanzania is tasked with planting 1.5 million trees annually,” President Samia stated. She also highlighted the country’s transition to clean energy, with 14,000 villages already connected to electricity. “Our youth are leveraging clean energy to create employment in rural areas, reducing rural-urban migration.”
Tanzania’s energy mix, according to President Samia, includes natural gas (50%), coal, and hydropower, with major projects like the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Dam boosting capacity.
Somalia’s Entry into the EAC
Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud expressed his country’s pride in joining the EAC, emphasizing its potential contributions to the regional bloc.
“Somalia’s business-oriented population is ready to invest in agriculture, fisheries, infrastructure, and energy. Our 3,000-kilometer coastline offers immense opportunities for growth,” President Mohamud remarked.
He called for greater collaboration among EAC members to unlock the region’s economic potential.
Promoting Youth Empowerment
President Samia also discussed Tanzania’s focus on youth empowerment, particularly in agriculture, livestock, forestry, and fishing. She said these sectors are creating sustainable opportunities for young people and driving rural development.
Renewed Commitment to a Political Federation
The event highlighted progress in consultations for the Political Federation. President Ruto commended Burundi, Uganda, and Kenya for completing national consultations on the draft constitution for the EAC Political Confederation. He also acknowledged Rwanda, South Sudan, and Tanzania for setting timelines to conduct their consultations.
“The people of East Africa have consistently supported the integration process. A survey in 2010 showed overwhelming enthusiasm for a Political Federation,” Ruto said, adding that unity and stability are essential for achieving this vision.
A Path Forward
As the EAC celebrates its 25th anniversary, the renewed push for a Political Federation underscores the region’s determination to fulfill the vision of its Founding Fathers. With commitments from all Partner States, the dream of a united and prosperous East Africa appears closer than ever.
The event was attended by dignitaries, including Burundian Vice President Prosper Bazombanza, EAC Secretary General Veronica Nduva, and members of the diplomatic community.
With momentum building, the EAC’s leaders are not only revisiting the past but also charting a future of regional integration and shared prosperity.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment