The East African Community of 1967 – objectives, failures and dissolution

The East African Community (EAC) of 1967 was an intergovernmental organization established by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda shortly after they gained independence. The primary aim was to foster economic cooperation and integration across East Africa1. This was one of the earliest attempts at regional integration in Africa.

Objectives of the East African Community of 1967

The East African Community (EAC) of 1967 had several key objectives aimed at promoting regional integration and cooperation among its member states, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

1. Economic Cooperation

• Common Market: Create a common market for goods and services, allowing free movement and reducing trade barriers among member states.
• Industrial Development: Strengthen and regulate industrial and commercial relations to exploit the expanded market.
• Balanced Development: Accelerate harmonious and balanced development of economic activities, ensuring equitable benefits for all member states.

2. Political Unity

• Unity and Cooperation: Promote unity, cooperation, and goodwill among the people of East Africa.
• Political Stability: Foster political stability and security in the region.

3. Common Services

• Shared Services: Establish common services such as railways, harbors, posts and telecommunications, airways, and scientific research.
• Headquarters: Set up headquarters for these services in strategic locations within the member states.

4. Encourage Interstate Trade

• Free Movement: Encourage interstate trade by removing internal duties (taxes) between the East African countries.

Challenges of the East African Community of 1967

The East African Community (EAC) of 1967 faced several challenges that eventually led to its dissolution in 1977.

1. Political Differences

• Divergent Political Ideologies: The member states, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, had different political ideologies and governance styles, which created tensions and hindered cooperation.
• National Interests: Each country prioritized its national interests over regional goals, leading to conflicts and disagreements.

2. Economic Disparities

• Unequal Development: There were significant economic disparities among the member states, with some countries being more developed than others. This imbalance affected the equitable distribution of benefits from regional cooperation.
• Trade Barriers: Despite the establishment of a common market, trade barriers and protectionist policies persisted, limiting the effectiveness of economic integration.

3. Administrative and Institutional Weaknesses

• Inefficient Administration: The EAC’s administrative structure was inefficient and lacked the capacity to implement and enforce regional policies effectively.
• Lack of Coordination: There was a lack of coordination and harmonization of policies among member states, leading to inconsistencies and inefficiencies.

4. External Influences

• Colonial Legacy: The lingering effects of colonialism and the influence of former colonial powers affected the political and economic landscape of the region.
• Global Economic Factors: External economic factors, such as fluctuations in global commodity prices, impacted the economies of member states and strained regional cooperation.

5. Social and Cultural Differences

• Ethnic and Cultural Diversity: The region’s ethnic and cultural diversity sometimes led to misunderstandings and conflicts, complicating efforts to achieve unity and cooperation.
• Language Barriers: Differences in languages and communication styles posed challenges to effective collaboration and integration.

6. Security Concerns

• Regional Instability: The region faced various security challenges, including conflicts and political instability, which undermined regional cooperation efforts.
• Border Disputes: Disputes over borders and territorial claims created tensions among member states.

These challenges, combined with the lack of political will and commitment to regional integration, ultimately led to the dissolution of the EAC in 1977. However, the vision of regional cooperation remained alive, leading to the revival of the EAC in 2000 with expanded membership and renewed goals.

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Thanks

Dr. Bbosa Science