PHOTO courtesy of the EAC
EAC Background
T
he East African Community (EAC) is the regional intergovernmental organization of the Republics of Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania. Its headquarters are based in Arusha – Tanzania. The Treaty for Establishment of the EAC was signed on the 30th November, 1999, and came into force on 7th July, 2000 following its ratification by the three original Partner States – Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The Republic of Rwanda and Burundi acceded to the EAC Treaty on the 18th June, 2007, and become full members of the Community effective 1st July, 2007.
EAC Vision
A Prosperous, Secure and Politically United East African Community
Aims and Objectives
The EAC aims at widening and deepening co-operation among the Partner States in, among others, political, economic and social fields for their mutual benefit. To this extent the EAC countries established a Customs Union in 2005; Rwanda and Burundi joined the Common Market in July 2009 and the Common Market was established in 2010, subsequently a Monetary Union and ultimately a Political Federation of the East African States.
Enlargement of the Community The realization of a large regional economic bloc encompassing Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda with a combined population of more than 126 million people, land area of 1.82 million sq kilometers and a combined Gross Domestic Product of $60 billion (2008*), bears great strategic and geopolitical significance and prospects of a renewed and reinvigorated East African Community.
confirmed the crucial role of the private sector and civil society: the principles that govern the objectives of the community shall be “people-centred and marketdriven” (Article 7 of the EAC Treaty). The regional co-operation and integration envisaged in the East African Community is wide ranging, involving co-operation in political, economic, social and cultural fields, research, technology and skills development, defense, security and legal affairs for mutual and equitable development in the region.
What are the Pillars of Integration?
EAC Quick Figures: Surface area (incl. water):
1.82 million sq. km
Population:
126.2 million
GDP:
$60 billion
Av. GDP per capita:
$424
Av. GDP growth:
6.8%
What are the areas of cooperation between the Partner States? In contrast to the first attempt at an East African Community, which was predominantly government-driven and collapsed in 1977, the new EAC expressly
The road map of the EAC foresees the gradual progress from a Customs Union towards a Common Market and Monetary Union, finally culminating in a Political Federation. The Customs Union was established in 2005 and the Protocol for the establishment of a Common Market was signed in 2009, on time for its final launching in 2010. Subsequently a Monetary Union will enter into force by 2012, and the ultimate goal will be a future Political Federation of East Africa.
The SERVICEMAG September - November 2010 | 27