The East African Community (EAC)

The East African Community (EAC)

The history of the East African Community (EAC) can be traced back to the period of colonialism in the early 20th century. The British colonizers created customs duties, trade, and agricultural tariffs to facilitate the smooth running of their East African colonies: Kenya, Uganda, Zanzibar, and Tanganyika. Specifically, the East African colonies of Kenya and Uganda formed a customs union in 1917, and this cooperation was later extended to the Tanganyika colony in 1927.

In 1948, the East African High Commission was established, operating until 1961 when the East African Common Services Organisation was formed. The East African Community was officially formed in 1967, incorporating the countries of Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, which were formerly ruled by the British. The aim of this union was to unify East African countries politically, socially, economically, and culturally. It also focused on promoting technological research, defense, and security.

The member states agreed to cooperate in special economic areas, including transport and communication, agricultural research, livestock, forestry services, airlines, and railways. Several corporations were formed to oversee these activities, such as:

1. East African Railways and Harbours
2. East African Airways
3. East African Posts and Telecommunications
4. East African Development Bank

Additionally, the EAC members agreed to promote industrial development by minimizing competition between industries within the Community. For example, if an industry existed in one member state, it should produce goods for all three countries. This helped solve the challenge of lacking a market for East African goods. An example of this was the East Africa General Tyres industry, located in Arusha, Tanzania, which produced tires for the entire East African market.

The Collapse of the First East African Community (1967–1977)

The former East African Community survived for 10 years (1967–1977). During this period, the three member states had different political and economic ideologies: Kenya practiced African capitalism, Tanzania followed African socialism and self-reliance, and Uganda was under the dictatorship of Idi Amin. Amin's regime caused significant economic and political chaos in Uganda, which hindered her participation in the Community's activities.

Kenya, on the other hand, demanded more representation in many decision-making committees within the Community. These differences led to tension among the member states, and in 1977, the cooperation collapsed. In 1983, the East African Community was formally dissolved, and all property was distributed. Each country then focused on its individual development plans.

Re-establishment of the East African Community

In 1993, three heads of state from the East African countries—Ali Hassan Mwinyi of Tanzania, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, and Daniel Arap Moi of Kenya—signed a Treaty for East African Cooperation in Kampala and established a Tri-partite Commission for Cooperation. This Commission was tasked with coordinating economic, social, political, cultural, and security issues in East Africa.

On November 30, 1999, three heads of state—Daniel Arap Moi of Kenya, Benjamin William Mkapa of Tanzania, and Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda—signed a treaty establishing the East African Cooperation. In 2000, these heads of state inaugurated the new East African Community in Arusha, Tanzania. Among the issues they agreed to work on were a customs union, common markets, a monetary union, and a political federation. The agreement also established new decision-making and implementation organs, including:

1. The General Assembly of Heads of State
2. The Council of Ministers
3. The East African Court of Justice
4. The East African Legislative Assembly
5. The EAC Secretariat

The East African Community flag and emblem

The six member states of the EAC

The member states of the EAC, their respective flags and years of joining the Community.

No	Country	Flag	Year of joining EAC
1	Tanzania		2000
2	Kenya		2000
3	Uganda		2000
4	Rwanda		2007
5	Burundi		2007
6	South Sudan		2016

Presidents of the East African Community member states in 2025

No	Country	Picture	Name of president
1	Tanzania		H.E Samia Suluhu Hassan
2	Kenya		H.E William Ruto
3	Uganda		H.E Yoweri Museven
4	Rwanda		H.E Paul Kagame
5	Burundi		H.E Évariste Ndayishimiye
6	South Sudan		H.E Salva Kiir