One East Africa or many East Africas?

A New East Africa?
Regional Integration Tested by Multiple Identities
By Jérémy Révillon
English

Ten regional, sub-regional or sectoral organizations currently represent East Africa. Their number has increased significantly in recent decades, highlighting the countries’ interest in building a regional bloc. However, multiplying the number of regional organizations does not seem to help the integration process move forward: rather, it considerably slows the process and creates competition. Multiple memberships cause well-known problems, such as unpaid dues. However, strategic and pecuniary advantages, such as positions and salaries, outweigh such issues. While one East Africa does not yet exist, the author sees many East Africas and questions whether a 2015 agreement between COMESA, EAC and SADC will change anything.

Keywords

  • East Africa
  • regional organizations
  • EAC
  • CEPGL
  • COMESA
  • SADC
  • IGAD
  • CIRGL
  • CEN-SAD
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