African Regional Cooperation

1. The East African cooperation after independence mainly focused on the formation of the East African Community (EAC), which included countries like:

   • Kenya
   • Uganda
   • Tanzania

2. It was formed on 6 June 1967 after a treaty of East African cooperation signed in Kampala by the three heads of state.

3. The goal was to foster social and economic development in the region.

4. Arusha became the headquarters of the community in Tanzania.

Objectives of EAC

1. To facilitate the free movement of the people and understanding among the East Africans.
2. To provide wider market for goods produced in the region.
3. To promote the free movement of goods and services among the member states.
4. To provide common services in East Africa, such as East Africa railways and East Africa airways based in Nairobi, harbours whose headquarters were in Dar es Salaam and African community in Arusha while Uganda became the headquarters for post and telecommunication as well as East African Development Bank.
5. To manage the East African examination council.
6. To conduct research in various areas such as agriculture and population.

Achievements of EAC

1. Provision of funds to the member states. This was possible through the East African Bank, which was made by the EAC. For example, Tanzania managed to produce aluminium sheet, assemble radio and make motor vehicles tires and tubes. Uganda managed to manufacture bicycles and nitrogenous fertilizers. Kenya made electric bulbs from the capital given by the bank.
2. It put the East African countries on a course of cooperation when these countries worked together on areas like post, telecommunication and railways.
3. It provided a chance for political leaders to discuss economic and political issues of their region.
4. Free movement of people, for example Kenyans and Ugandans could move easily to Tanzania.

There were several reasons to its collapse, they include

1. Difference in ideologies. Tanzania used socialism and self-reliance in which the government controlled all means of production in the national economy while Kenya and Uganda were mainly based on capitalism which allowed the existence of private owned economy, hence they could not work together.
2. Higher growth of Kenyan economy over Tanzania and Uganda, Kenya had many industries and business companies, either member felt they could be exploited.
3. Absence of common currency. It made it difficult for people to fully buy goods and services in Uganda and Kenya because their currency was not accepted.
4. Misunderstanding between the late presidents for example Julius K. Nyerere and Idd Amin of Uganda. Nyerere did not like to work with Amin after overthrowing Milton Obote in 1971.
5. Shortage of funds among the East African government. The member states were less developed nations that could not have financial requirements for community programs.

This was revived on 7 July 2000 after the collapse of the East African Community in 1977. It now has six member states which are Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda and South Sudan.

The Principles of the New EAC

1. The principles of the New EAC are guidelines, which must be followed by the community members in realizing their goals or objectives.
2. Mutual trust between the people of EAC states.
3. Peaceful co-existence and good neighbourliness.
4. Peaceful settlement of disputes.
5. Good governance, acceptance of principles of democracy, rule of law and respect for social justice.
6. Co-operation for equal mutual benefit among the member states.

The Goals/Objective of the New EAC

1. Establishment of a monetary union.
2. To promote peace, security and stability within the region and good neighbourliness.
3. Formation of the East African Federation.
4. Establishment of a common market in which there are services and information technology.
5. To develop policies and programmes aimed at widening co-operation in politics, economic, social, defence and judicial matters for the benefit of the member states.
6. To promote sustainable and balanced growth and development among the members.
7. To promote the role of women in socio-economic development.
8. Achieve equitable economic development and higher standard of living for the people of Africa.

Areas of cooperation among the EAC members.

ECOWAS is an organization which was formed by English, French and Portuguese speaking countries of West Africa under the Treaty of Lome on 28 May 1975 to bring unity for economic development in fields such as industries, transport, telecommunication, energy, agriculture, monetary and commerce.

Aims/Objectives of ECOWAS

1. To eliminate barriers to the free movement of people, services and capital.
2. To remove custom duties between the member states so as to make West Africa a free trade area.
3. To coordinate industrial and agricultural development policies.

Organs of ECOWAS

1. Authority of the head of states-makes major decisions and policies.
2. The council of Ministers-assist authority in policy recommendations.
3. The community parliament.
4. The economic and social council.
5. Community court of justice.
6. Executive secretary and ECOWAS fund. Lagos is the headquarters of Executive secretary and controller of fund based in Togo.
7. ECOWAS Bank of Investment and Development (EBID).
8. Specialized agencies like WAHO-West Africa Health Organization and WAWA-West Africa Women Association.

The Achievements of ECOWAS

1. It brought unity among West African states by creating conditions in which two different countries could carry out joint projects such as food and transport cooperation between Nigeria and Niger after 1975.
2. ECOWAS formed a military force known as ECOMOG. The force helped to defeat a military regime which overthrew civilian government in Sierra Leone in the 1990s.
3. It set up a fund in 1986 by getting loan from financial institutions in Western Europe and America. The fund improved agriculture, industries, transport and telecommunication.
4. It made the movement of people between the member states easier since 1979. The member states agreed to eliminate obstacles which prevented people from moving for various activities in the summit held in Dakar, Senegal.
5. It provided a wider market for the member states commodities.

Challenges Encountered by the ECOWAS Member States

1. Political instability, countries such as Nigeria has had coups after 1975 and civil wars in Sierra Leone in the 1990s. This undermined peace and security seen in the entire region.
2. Low prices on products exported to world markets caused poor export earnings of foreign currency.
3. Difference in the official languages between the members make it difficult for West African people to communicate easily in economic activities. The community contain Anglophone and Francophone countries.
4. Poor infrastructure such as roads still exist in many West African states. This situation hinders easy movement of goods, services and labour.
5. Some of the member states failed to remit contributions to the organization as required, and this makes the running of the organization very difficult.
6. Some of the smaller economies among the member states find the immense military and economic power of major economies such as Nigeria overwhelming.
7. Ideological differences especially between the capitalist countries and socialist countries.
8. Foreign interference in the affairs of the member state.
9. The vast geographic region makes it difficult for affairs of the organization to be coordinated well.

1. The origin of the Southern Africa Development Community can be traced back to 1979 but was formally established in April 1980.

2. The headquarters are in Gaborone, Botswana.

3. During its early years, the organization was known as the Southern Africa Development Coordination Conference (SADCC).

4. Currently, SADC has a total of 15 members.

5. The member states include:

   • Angola
   • Botswana
   • Democratic Republic of Congo
   • Madagascar
   • Seychelles
   • Mozambique
   • Tanzania
   • Lesotho
   • Malawi
   • Namibia
   • Mauritius
   • Eswatini
   • South Africa
   • Zambia
   • Zimbabwe

Achievements of SADC

1. Promotion of democracy and rule of law among the member states.
2. SADC has facilitated the development of infrastructure among the member states, for example roads, harbour, railways etc.
3. Promotion of agriculture among the member states agreed in a treaty signed in 1995.
4. Member states were able to consult on matters that affect the region using SADC as the main forum.
5. Sharing of water resources in the region. This was agreed in a treaty signed in 1995.

Challenges experienced by SADC member States

1. Production of goods that compete rather than complement each other.
2. Political instability. Some of the member states experienced political instability, which has interfered with the organization operations. Eg Democratic Republic of Congo.
3. Language barrier. Some countries speak English and others speak Portuguese.
4. Differences in political ideology-eg Tanzania and Angola capitalism, others capitalism.
5. Poor coordination and communication between member states.
6. Some member states exhibit divided loyalties as some belong to other regional organization.
7. South Africa is seen as domineering over other member states due to her strong economy. This causes a lot of anxiety to some countries.

1. Before 1993, COMESA was known as the Preferential Trade Area for Eastern and Southern Africa (P.T.A).

2. The heads of member states met in Kampala, Uganda, on 6 November 1993 and signed a treaty which created COMESA.

3. A member of COMESA includes the following countries:

   • Kenya
   • Uganda
   • Tanzania
   • Rwanda
   • Burundi
   • Malawi
   • Zimbabwe
   • Lesotho
   • Botswana
   • Eswatini
   • Mauritius
   • Comoros
   • Djibouti
   • Ethiopia
   • Somalia
   • South Africa

Objectives of COMESA

1. Promoting and facilitating cooperation among member countries in trade, transport and communication.
2. Harmonising and coordinating development strategies, policies and plans within the region.
3. It encourages cooperation in monetary and financial affairs in order to facilitate sub regional integration.
4. It aims at establishing joint industrial and agricultural institution to raise the production capacity.
5. It aims at reducing and eventually eliminating tariffs among members in order to facilitate trade.
6. It encourages economic independence of the region by establishing strong economic base.

Achievement of COMESA

1. Member states have become more cooperative in the field of trade, industry and agriculture.
2. The organization has also established a bank known as the Trade and Development Bank situated in Bujumbura, Burundi which finances trade and development projects.

Problems of COMESA

1. Different levels of development of member states.
2. Poor transport, shipping facilities and communication links.
3. Existence of too many currencies in the region.
4. Weak economic base of member states i.e. dependency economies.
5. Civil wars, natural calamities and neo-colonialism.

The Reasons Which Made Tanzania Withdraw From COMESA

1. Tanzania was discouraged by political conflicts in Zimbabwe and civil war in Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia. She realised there could not be effective economic co-operation with the members who had these problems.
2. The country wanted to maximise her efforts in some organizations like East African Community, which was formed in early 2000s'. The government could not be able to unite fully with other EAC if she was still a member in many other organizations.
3. Tanzania withdrew from COMESA because she was avoiding duplication of regional cooperation. The country learnt that there was no new benefits the people could get from COMESA. Most of the benefits were similar with those which were gained from SADC and EAC.
4. Financial contributions to various economic organizations became a burden on the government expenditure. The country could not be able to collect and spend money in many organizations like SADC, EAC, AU and COMESA. Withdrawal from COMESA was a way to reduce financial cost on regional co-operation.
5. Tanzania moved out of COMESA as a way to protect its industrial development from other COMESA members such as Kenya, South Africa and Zimbabwe. This country still lagged behind in industries. She feared that those countries could use many opportunities in regional co-operation to export manufactured goods, which could compete against the products from Tanzania industries. Thus, she withdrew to protect domestic industries and their markets.