Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation,
January Mkenda. Photo: File
By Adonis
Byemelwa
Tanzania recently reaffirmed its
steadfast commitment to the East African Community (EAC) during a high-profile
retreat in Zanzibar, emphasizing unity and resilience within the regional bloc.
The event, attended by ministers
from all member states, underscored Tanzania's role as a key player in
fostering integration and cooperation among East African nations.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and
East African Cooperation, January Makamba, highlighted Tanzania's historical
commitment as a founding member of the EAC, emphasizing the importance of
collective strength and unity in achieving the community's goals.
"Unity is our cornerstone
of strength. We have learned from the consequences of disunity in the past, and
we must avoid such pitfalls," Minister Makamba stated, reflecting on the
lessons from previous challenges within the EAC.
The retreat, hosted by Tanzania
and supported by the EAC Secretariat, aimed to strengthen the operational
effectiveness of the regional grouping amidst various challenges.
These challenges include
economic disparities among member states, which complicate efforts to harmonize
policies and coordinate economic activities.
Countries like Kenya, with its
relatively advanced economy, contrast sharply with less developed nations such
as Burundi and South Sudan, highlighting the need for inclusive development
strategies within the EAC.
Political differences among
member states also pose significant hurdles to regional integration. Instances
of geopolitical tensions, such as altercations involving Burundi against Rwanda
and disputes involving the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda, and
Kenya, underscore the complex dynamics at play within the EAC. These conflicts
can strain diplomatic relations and hinder collaborative efforts towards shared
objectives.
Recent incidents, such as the
poultry trade dispute between Tanzania and Kenya, where Kenya burned chickens
from Tanzania citing health concerns, have highlighted the fragility of
bilateral relations within the EAC.
Such incidents underscore the challenges of
regulatory harmonization and the need for transparent and mutually beneficial
trade practices among member states.
Despite these challenges, the
EAC has expanded its membership to include Somalia and South Sudan, aiming to
enhance regional stability and economic cooperation.
However, the inclusion of new
members has also brought complex security dynamics, particularly concerning
Somalia's ongoing security challenges and South Sudan's post-independence
conflicts.
Additionally, regional economic
communities like the EAC often face institutional capacity constraints,
bureaucratic inefficiencies, and donor dependence, which can impede their
ability to implement integration agendas effectively. Profound insights from
regional integration scholars like the late Prof. Baregu, Prof. Samwel Wangwe,
and the late Prof. Gaudence Mpangala from the University of Dar es Salaam have
repeatedly highlighted these challenges in their research and publications.
"Regional integration
requires robust institutions capable of coordinating policies, resolving
disputes, and mobilizing resources," Prof. Baregu emphasized in one of his
seminal works on East African integration.
He stressed the importance of strengthening
institutional frameworks to overcome political and economic barriers hindering
regional cooperation.
Prof. Wangwe echoed similar
sentiments, emphasizing the need for inclusive economic growth strategies that
address disparities among member states.
"Inclusive development is crucial for
fostering regional stability and enhancing the resilience of regional economic
communities like the EAC," he remarked in his analysis of regional
integration challenges.
The late Prof. Gaudence Mpangala
underscored the impact of external factors such as donor dependence on regional
integration efforts.
"Donor funding plays a
significant role in financing integration projects, but it also poses
challenges of dependency and conditionality," he noted, cautioning against
over-reliance on external aid for sustainable development within the EAC.
While the East African Community
remains committed to enhancing regional integration and cooperation, it faces
multifaceted challenges ranging from economic disparities and political
tensions to institutional constraints and donor reliance.
Addressing these challenges
requires sustained political will, enhanced institutional capacity, and
inclusive development strategies that prioritize equitable growth and mutual
benefit among member states. As Tanzania and its EAC counterparts navigate
these complexities, the commitment to unity and resilience articulated at the
Zanzibar retreat serves as a rallying call for collective action towards a more
integrated and prosperous East Africa.