According to wikipedia the East African Comunity has some big plans. They include:
1. A single tourist visa (suppose to be ready 2006, but to the best of my knowledge still not implemented)
2. A single currency in 2010 or sometime between 2011 and 2015 (hope a set date in 2010 has been fixed and coins and notes already designred ready for minting).
3. A common market and a rotating president, also by 2010
4. A full political union somepoint in the future, 2013 suggested as a possibility.

It seems the wikipedia page hasn't been updated for sometime. I don't live in the region and haven't been able to follow it closely.

What do you guys think of the proposals and how they are coming on. My own suspicion is nice in theory, but the timeline is too ambitious. I also hope things don't get put on a waiting list never to be done, as looks like could be the fate of the single tourist visa.

There is a whole section about the proposed federation in the General Africa section. I wonder if it will be possible to find it and transfer it here. Though the common market will definitely be operational from next year. All central banks, stock exchanges and other financial institutions in the region are finalising policies that will lead to intergration by the end of next year. free movement of east Africans could become possible by July next year. There is alot going on but I guess the issue isn't discussed much on SSC.

Im highly sceptical about achieving the full political federation though.

Happy birthday: EAC marches on under a new flag

The East African,
By CATHERINE RIUNGU
Posted Monday, November 16 2009 at 00:00

A new song and a new flag. This is what awaits East Africans who will dance to the tune of a regional anthem as the new banner is unfurled on Friday to mark the passing of a decade since the rebirth of the East African Community.

This will herald what EAC Secretary General Juma Mwapachu says is a return to lost glory for the people of the five states — Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi.

Mr Mwapachu said the community has made rapid strides towards integration, progress that has surprised the world’s biggest regional bloc — the European Union — which took more than 40 years to attain what “we are celebrating in 10 years this week.”

In an interview with The EastAfrican in Arusha, Mr Mwapachu said the heads of EAC partner states had committed themselves to give the region’s residents a Common Market as a 10th anniversary gift.

This Friday, they will sign the Common Market Protocol.

It will open the borders within the five member countries of the Community, allowing free movement of people, goods, services and capital.

On the same day, Presidents Mwai Kibaki, Yoweri Museveni, Jakaya Kikwete, Paul Kagame and Pierre Nkurunziza will lay the groundwork for the EAC headquarters building in Arusha.

The operationalisation of both a fully fledged Customs Union and the Common Market — slated for January 2010 and July 2010, respectively — will take the region closer to a Monetary Union (2012) and a Political Federation (2015).

EAC Deputy Secretary General for Infrastructure and Planning Alloys Mutabingwa said the region had moved with speed unequalled by any other bloc.

He said that in Africa, only the EAC is close to achieving a Monetary Union.

Achieving a Political Federation in 2015, said the Deputy Secretary General for Political Federation, Beatrice Kiraso, will put East Africa in the league of the EU.

Mr Mwapachu said East Africa has the opportunity to regain what it lost when the old community broke up in 1977.

But he was quick to point out that what the region has now is a completely new body.

“While many people say we re-established the EAC, I would rather say we established it from ground zero. With no Common Services and no Customs Union,” he said.

He said the region lost 20 years of progress as the original three countries went their separate ways in air transport, harbours, railways, lakes, posts and telecommunications, among other defunct regional institutions.

Of the original shared bodies, only three survived the 1977 break up — the East African Development Bank, the Inter University Council of East Africa and the Lake Victoria Basin Commission.

Nostalgically, he said: “We could have been the most powerful economic bloc in the world considering that we had a union in 1967, well before anyone else.”

In those days, said the secretary general, EAC had centres of excellence, especially in medical research, dealing with tropical diseases that are today a challenge to the Millennium Development Goals.

One such facility, the East African Institute for Medical Research, was based at Usambara in Tanzania.

It brought together a critical mass in research capability, where cutting-edge PhD work in malaria and vector borne diseases research was carried out.

Indeed, according to Mr Mwapachu, the region’s research capacity was second to none and although good work continued nationally (with the facility renamed the National Institute for Medical Research) its status was lost.

Also lost was the hitherto world famous regional Tropical Pesticides Research Institute, based in Tanzania.

Its demise is to blame for today’s up to 50 per cent post-harvest losses, turning the region into a hunger zone.

“The facility was totally rundown,” said Mr Mwapachu

He also cited the region’s airline industry as a glaring example of lost integration opportunities, saying the bloc should have one airline called the East African Airways.

“Air Tanzania collapsed, Air Uganda is rudimentary, though we have a robust world class Kenya Airways with international networks with KLM.”

Mr Mwapachu said that despite the notable achievements of the past 10 years, the region is yet to achieve a collective grasp of the bigger picture, which remains the real challenge — developing an East African consciousness.

Citing the old University of East Africa, Mr Mwapachu said it was a classic example of regionalisation.

The universities of Makerere, Nairobi and Dar es Salaam were its constituent colleges.

If you wanted to be a lawyer, Dar was the place to go, if you wanted to be a doctor you went to Makerere and if you wished to be an engineer, you joined the University of Nairobi.

Today, universities have quotas and different fee structures for locals and East African students, and also a student visa.

Mr Mwapachu says as the region seeks to deepen integration, it must harmonise university education so that qualifications can be standardised across the borders.

Businesses to boom in Common Market

The East African,
By FRANCIS AYIEKO (email the author)
Posted Monday, November 16 2009 at 00:00

Big business opportunities await East African citizens as presidents of the five EAC member states sign the Common Market Protocol this week.

The planned signing of the protocol this Friday (November 20) by the heads of state of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi, is expected to usher the region into an era of accelerated economic growth and development.

It will allow free movement of goods, persons and labour in all the five partner states.

Also to be enjoyed under the Common Market are the right of establishment, the right of residence, and free movement of services and capital across the region.

The Common Market is the second stage in the integration of the 120-million people economic bloc.

It comes barely five years after the launch of the Customs Union, the first stage in the integration process.

Under the protocol, negotiated for more than one-and-a-half years since April last year by a high level task force appointed by the five member states, the countries have agreed to eliminate tariff, non-tariff and technical barriers to trade; harmonise and mutually recognise standards and implement a common trade policy.

They have also agreed to remove restrictions on movement of labour, harmonise labour policies, programmes, legislation, social services (education, health, safety), provide for social security benefits and establish common standards and measures for association of workers and employers, establish employment promotion centres and eventually adopt a common employment policy.

They have also committed to remove restrictions on movement of services and service suppliers, harmonise standards to ensure acceptability of services traded; eliminate restrictions on free movement of capital; ensure convertibility of currencies; and promote investments in capital markets (stock exchange), eventually leading to an integrated financial system.

One of the key benefits of the Common Market is the easing of cross-border movement of people.

Under the Common Market, which is expected to come into force next year, East African citizens have the freedom to enter the territory of another partner state without a visa.

Except Tanzania, all the other East African countries have agreed to use national identity cards as travel documents.

The protocol says the host partner states shall, in accordance with their national laws, guarantee the protection of the citizens of other partner states while in their territories.

However, free movement of persons is subject to limitations imposed by the host partner state on grounds of public policy, public security and public health.

Closely linked to this is free movement of labour. East Africans will now work in any partner states.

To make this possible, the partner states have agreed to mutually recognise the academic and professional qualifications granted, experience obtained, requirements met and licences or certifications granted in other partner states.

Also, they have agreed to harmonise their curricula, examinations, standards, certification and accreditation of educational and training institutions.

But even more interesting is the fact that under the Common Market, East African citizens will enjoy the right to establish themselves in any member state.

The right of establishment shall entitle a national of another partner state to engage in an economic activity in another member state without restrictions.

The rights are also applicable to a spouse, child and dependant of the person.

“Companies and firms established in accordance with the national laws of a partner state and having their registered office, central administration or principal place of business, and which undertake substantial economic activities in the partner state shall, for purposes of establishment, be accorded non discriminatory treatment in other partner states,” says the protocol.

Citizens will also enjoy the right of residence in partner states that have agreed to this provision.

The right of residence shall apply to the spouse, child and a dependant of a worker or self-employed person.

Individuals will also be allowed to access and use land and premises in any partner state, except in Tanzania.

The partner states have agreed to adopt “variable geometry” — a system whereby some countries can move faster than others in implementing the Common Market.

This came in handy when it emerged that Tanzania had reservations on the Common Market protocol.

Thats reassuring. Any news of the precise date next year?

Thanks heaps Kenguy for the information. On the plus side if a full political union is achieved East Africa will rival South Africa and Nigeria as the most powerful state in sub-Saharan Africa.

Thats reassuring. Any news of the precise date next year?

Thanks heaps Kenguy for the information. On the plus side if a full political union is achieved East Africa will rival South Africa and Nigeria as the most powerful state in sub-Saharan Africa.

Actually, the customs union is being signed into place on Friday this week. It will be fully operational by July next year.

About being the most powerful state, it may take sometime to beat the likes of SA but it will definitely have an impact on the African political and economic landscape as we know it.

Great news, Unity is the best way forward.

However Kenyans need to deal with their land issues which has brought up a trust issue with our neighbors. Tanzanians for example, do not feel secure with Kenyans in their country due to the large tracts of fertile land they have. Kenyans have for a long time had a difficult time starting businesses there. They call us thieves and murderers thanks to the PEV. First thing I would like to see though, is a high speed railway connecting the member countries. That will shoot so far into the future!!

However Kenyans need to deal with their land issues which has brought up a trust issue with our neighbors. Tanzanians for example, do not feel secure with Kenyans in their country due to the large tracts of fertile land they have. Kenyans have for a long time had a difficult time starting businesses there. They call us thieves and murderers thanks to the PEV. First thing I would like to see though, is a high speed railway connecting the member countries. That will shoot so far into the future!!

The acid test will come in July when everyone will be free to work, live and settle anywhere in E.A. One thing that I do know is that most of the fears are unfounded and are based on stereotypes. Even when it comes to land, people feel more comfortable settling near their place of origin. Its an observation I have made in all the East African countries, with the exception of the major cities. I dont think this will change overnight. The steteotypes will start to die gradually as people interract more in a more liberal environment. The railway will come. its now a question of when, not if.

Tanzanians are very jittery while Ugandans, Rwandese, Burundians and Kenyans are excited with the East African Union.

The acid test will come in July when everyone will be free to work, live and settle anywhere in E.A. One thing that I do know is that most of the fears are unfounded and are based on stereotypes. Even when it comes to land, people feel more comfortable settling near their place of origin. Its an observation I have made in all the East African countries, with the exception of the major cities. I dont think this will change overnight. The steteotypes will start to die gradually as people interract more in a more liberal environment. The railway will come. its now a question of when, not if.

How will the stereotype ends if the July 2009 WTO Report mentions Kenya to be in the TOP of the list advocating PROTECTIONISM together with Nigeria, Zimbabwe, madagascar and Uganda! Tanzania is NOT THERE!! (http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/-/539552/658040/-/586sjf/-/index.html) until you guys come to your senses the block is going to crumble! You are good at pointing finger towards Tanzania where is Tanzania on this list of countries embracing protectionism? Leave Tanzania alone and face your politicians who benefit from protectionism like the Kenyatta family with Brookside dairy

How will the stereotype ends if the July 2009 WTO Report mentions Kenya to be in the TOP of the list advocating PROTECTIONISM together with Nigeria, Zimbabwe, madagascar and Uganda! Tanzania is NOT THERE!! (http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/-/539552/658040/-/586sjf/-/index.html) until you guys come to your senses the block is going to crumble! You are good at pointing finger towards Tanzania where is Tanzania on this list of countries embracing protectionism? Leave Tanzania alone and face your politicians who benefit from protectionism like the Kenyatta family with Brookside dairy

hmm... calm down there sir.

It remains to be seen how all this plays out. Of course Tanzania is not in that list. But no one was thinking Tanzanians were going to buy huge farms in Kenya, when Tanzania has it's own farmland sitting there just waiting for a farmer.

I personally am thinking that Kenyans will move to buy farm land in Tanzania so they can grow crops, after which they will sell back the land at a higher price to the locals (if they can afford it) making a profit. There in lies the problem. Tanzanians might be all happy and friendly when people first move in to farm their land, lower the cost of food et cetera, but after a while people begin to have oppositions to this.

take this hypothetical scenario: A bunch of farmers move in to a fertile but yet un-farmed part of Tanzania. They quickly set up shop and begin to grow crops and farm cattle. They then sell the product in the market and make a huge profit. Soon enough they begin to build large houses, they buy more cattle and expand their farms. They hire the locals, who at first are more than happy to get a job. What happens next? Well I would think that the locals would begin to get very angry after a while at the foreigners. They will say stuff like; "why should he be richer than us in our own land?" and "aren't we more entitled to our land than him?" and so on and so forth.

remember, Kenyans are as a rule more business minded than Tanzanians. It would only be a matter of time before all the businesses are owned by Kenyans and most of the farms. Obviously as a native, this might lead you to feel like your home land is being invaded by "outsiders". Then what?
do we have an ethnic cleansing? Or do the people realise that it's better to just accept it and make the best of it?

my 0.02$

How will the stereotype ends if the July 2009 WTO Report mentions Kenya to be in the TOP of the list advocating PROTECTIONISM together with Nigeria, Zimbabwe, madagascar and Uganda! Tanzania is NOT THERE!! (http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/-/539552/658040/-/586sjf/-/index.html) until you guys come to your senses the block is going to crumble! You are good at pointing finger towards Tanzania where is Tanzania on this list of countries embracing protectionism? Leave Tanzania alone and face your politicians who benefit from protectionism like the Kenyatta family with Brookside dairy

Emm...where did I single out Tanzania? Besides, if the level of protectionism is high in both Kenya and Uganda, who do you think will benefit from the most foreign investment?

hmm... calm down there sir.

It remains to be seen how all this plays out. Of course Tanzania is not in that list. But no one was thinking Tanzanians were going to buy huge farms in Kenya, when Tanzania has it's own farmland sitting there just waiting for a farmer.

I personally am thinking that Kenyans will move to buy farm land in Tanzania so they can grow crops, after which they will sell back the land at a higher price to the locals (if they can afford it) making a profit. There in lies the problem. Tanzanians might be all happy and friendly when people first move in to farm their land, lower the cost of food et cetera, but after a while people begin to have oppositions to this.

take this hypothetical scenario: A bunch of farmers move in to a fertile but yet un-farmed part of Tanzania. They quickly set up shop and begin to grow crops and farm cattle. They then sell the product in the market and make a huge profit. Soon enough they begin to build large houses, they buy more cattle and expand their farms. They hire the locals, who at first are more than happy to get a job. What happens next? Well I would think that the locals would begin to get very angry after a while at the foreigners. They will say stuff like; "why should he be richer than us in our own land?" and "aren't we more entitled to our land than him?" and so on and so forth.

remember, Kenyans are as a rule more business minded than Tanzanians. It would only be a matter of time before all the businesses are owned by Kenyans and most of the farms. Obviously as a native, this might lead you to feel like your home land is being invaded by "outsiders". Then what?
do we have an ethnic cleansing? Or do the people realise that it's better to just accept it and make the best of it?

my 0.02$

I smell a storm brewing over what you just said. I also think that the phrase I have highlighted in red is just one of those stereotypes that has to go.

I smell a storm brewing over what you just said. I also think that the phrase I have highlighted in red is just one of those stereotypes that has to go.

:lol: storm, your right.

To that phrase. the policies, environment determines to is business aggressive.

Socialists do not encourage business. Market economic policies do.

I think that in one site this is going to bring a lot of tourists to there.Tourists = Money. But from other site the projects are super expensive and maybe they should spend the money on something else like food for the poor people of the country and many other things that can be much more usefull than those projects.
This is my opinion
http://flagcounter.com/count/fcPpr/bg=ffffff/txt=ffffff/border=ffffff/columns=1/maxflags=1/viewers=3/labels=1/pageviews=1/http://2.s04.flagcounter.com/count/3DIf/bg=ffffff/txt=ffffff/border=ffffff/columns=1/maxflags=1/viewers=3/labels=1/pageviews=1/

hmm... calm down there sir.

It remains to be seen how all this plays out. Of course Tanzania is not in that list. But no one was thinking Tanzanians were going to buy huge farms in Kenya, when Tanzania has it's own farmland sitting there just waiting for a farmer.

I personally am thinking that Kenyans will move to buy farm land in Tanzania so they can grow crops, after which they will sell back the land at a higher price to the locals (if they can afford it) making a profit. There in lies the problem. Tanzanians might be all happy and friendly when people first move in to farm their land, lower the cost of food et cetera, but after a while people begin to have oppositions to this.

take this hypothetical scenario: A bunch of farmers move in to a fertile but yet un-farmed part of Tanzania. They quickly set up shop and begin to grow crops and farm cattle. They then sell the product in the market and make a huge profit. Soon enough they begin to build large houses, they buy more cattle and expand their farms. They hire the locals, who at first are more than happy to get a job. What happens next? Well I would think that the locals would begin to get very angry after a while at the foreigners. They will say stuff like; "why should he be richer than us in our own land?" and "aren't we more entitled to our land than him?" and so on and so forth.

remember, Kenyans are as a rule more business minded than Tanzanians. It would only be a matter of time before all the businesses are owned by Kenyans and most of the farms. Obviously as a native, this might lead you to feel like your home land is being invaded by "outsiders". Then what?
do we have an ethnic cleansing? Or do the people realise that it's better to just accept it and make the best of it?

my 0.02$I assume you feel jitter about that WTO Report on protectionism! Tanzania do free market and if Kenya do that i won't have a problem with the EAC! I know those guys in power are frustrating business from outside (the likes of Kenyatta) but within the EA from personal experience! By the way did you mean the whole isssue here is land in EAC? how about thousands of sq km land in the Northern and North east Kenya? have you been there? or you assume the whole Kenya looks like Nairobi? The Turkana plains and Wajir? i think it will make more sense to think of developing those places rather than dreaming you will acquire land in Tanzania that easily so far to have agricultural estates you need to compete with the likes of Korea, Saudi Arabia and the West something i dont see Kenya having those huge capitals to do so while you were also trying to sell a chunk of land for a Quatari government to build you a port in Lamu! So don't overestimate yourself buddy

^^
Geza. Remember the Safaricom IPO and how Tanzanians were prevented from participating? Every coin has two sides.

What the hell do you want?
__________________
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This thread has been neglected guys.

EAC leaders launch Arusha Athi River Road project(April 28, 2009 )

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(July 01, 2010 )President Kibaki took a significant step aimed at jump-starting the East African common market. Kibaki announced people from the five member states can now find work in Kenya without having to pay for work permits. It remains to be seen if all other states follow suit. The EAC was first set up in 1967

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(July 02, 2010 )It is now official: Kenyan work permits are free for East Africans and entry permits are not required. One day after the common market protocol for the East African community came into effect, the immigration ministry has moved to change the law to make it easier for east Africans to enter, work or do business in Kenya. Immigration Minister Otieno Kajwang also said that Kenya will henceforth recognize tourist entry visas granted by EAC partner states.



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June 30, 2010
The five East African Countries make yet another giant step towards political intergration when the common markets protocol takes effect. And as a signal of the Kenya government's commitment to the process, President Mwai Kibaki last evening directed the immigration ministry to waive fees for East African citizens seeking work permits in Kenya. The President who was speaking when he launched the East African Common Market Protocol in Kenya, also directed the Attorney General to prepare legislation that will make Kenyan laws be in harmony with regional agreements of the east African community.




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EAC gunning for federation by 2020

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EAC gunning for federation by 2020

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They should not have a single currency before a political union!The EU is having a problem of the Euro because of this!

They should not have a single currency before a political union!The EU is having a problem of the Euro because of this!

Political Union is unlikely if possible at all.

Single currency is a matter of Economic structures.

The problems in EU are economical ,due to excessive lending/credit (leaving beyond one's means). Some countries were badly hit, some were not because they have a federal system where each state handles it own economic policies despite having single currency.

Its like the US. Texas has been booming and still booming and was not hurt by the crisis that almost Bankrupted California, screwed up Nevada and Florida. Thanks to Texas economic policies, its the big boy now.

So each of the EAC members will have it own economic policies, but having a single currency is simply making business easier within the member states and the easier the business, the faster the economy will grow.

You can forget about political union. Its a mixture of Dictators and democratic leadhiships. I don't think dictetorships would want their powers to go away.

Others are Super corrupt than others. Not sure if the less corrupt would accept being rulled by someone from a super corrupt government.

Political Union is unlikely if possible at all.

Single currency is a matter of Economic structures.

The problems in EU are economical ,due to excessive lending/credit (leaving beyond one's means). Some countries were badly hit, some were not because they have a federal system where each state handles it own economic policies despite having single currency.

Its like the US. Texas has been booming and still booming and was not hurt by the crisis that almost Bankrupted California, screwed up Nevada and Florida. Thanks to Texas economic policies, its the big boy now.

So each of the EAC members will have it own economic policies, but having a single currency is simply making business easier within the member states and the easier the business, the faster the economy will grow.

You can forget about political union. Its a mixture of Dictators and democratic leadhiships. I don't think dictetorships would want their powers to go away.

Others are Super corrupt than others. Not sure if the less corrupt would accept being rulled by someone from a super corrupt government.

Butembo what u fail to realise is that it is the dictators of the region who are pushing the most for the political union so clearly they already know the consequences.
On corruption, they are making sure that regulations are put in place at the regional level to properly deal with it. It will be hard for a kenyan leader to steal at the regional level if he knows other countries have the power to prosecute and punish him than in say Kenya where there is total impunity and he is seen is untouchable.
Because a kenyan politician stealing money for a joint project with say tanzania will highly likely not be tolerated and he is more likely to be punished as his corruption is not only affecting kenyans but also tanzanians.

Butembo what u fail to realise is that it is the dictators of the region who are pushing the most for the political union so clearly they already know the consequences.
On corruption, they are making sure that regulations are put in place at the regional level to properly deal with it. It will be hard for a kenyan leader to steal at the regional level if he knows other countries have the power to prosecute and punish him than in say Kenya where there is total impunity and he is seen is untouchable.
Because a kenyan politician stealing money for a joint project with say tanzania will highly likely not be tolerated and he is more likely to be punished as his corruption is not only affecting kenyans but also tanzanians.

So tell me.

How is this political union going to happen? Kagame and Museveni are power hungries just like most leaders on the continent (not to forget , they are already preparing those who would replace them).

Ha, democracies and dictatorships form a political union? How will this power be structured? when within the country there are super deep political divisions? With Tanzania being the only real democracy in the whole neighborhood.

Is there going to be a single Union/Federation president with a prime minister or vice-president who will take matters of defense, foreign relation/political and economic ?

Its either like USSR, US union like or simply like EU, which is just economic with single currency . It can't be done any other way.

Unless you know anotherway.

So tell me.

How is this political union going to happen? Kagame and Museveni are power hungries just like most leaders on the continent (not to forget , they are already preparing those who would replace them).

Ha, democracies and dictatorships form a political union? How will this power be structured? when within the country there are super deep political divisions? With Tanzania being the only real democracy in the whole neighborhood.

Is there going to be a single Union/Federation president with a prime minister or vice-president who will take matters of defense, foreign relation/political and economic ?

Its either like USSR, US union like or simply like EU, which is just economic with single currency . It can't be done any other way.

Unless you know anotherway.

The aim is a regional president for certain limited issues like foreign policy, defence, economic policy but individual countries will retain sovereignty on domestic issues this will be different from EU as we do not plan to only stop on economic integration

On dictators, Kagame is retiring in 2017 while Museveni is an old man and by 2021 the constitution will bar him from standing as he will be above 75 years and it will much more difficult then to change that part of the constitution as one of the conditions for political integration is return of term limits so it is likely they will return in Museveni's last term.

Museveni is trying to leave a legacy, for all his criticisms by observing his rule u can see he wants to be remembered for more than just being a president of UGanda. That is why one of his motivations of invading congo was to create some form of strong political union with congo of course where he was the top dog.

It shows he wants a legacy of uniting Africa and assure u if he pulls it off he will have a legacy that rivals Kwame Nkrumah and all his past mistakes will be forgiven. He grew up in the 1960's and70's he to an extent still values african unity like the leaders at independence who shaped the direction of his life.

So tell me.

How is this political union going to happen? Kagame and Museveni are power hungries just like most leaders on the continent (not to forget , they are already preparing those who would replace them).

Ha, democracies and dictatorships form a political union? How will this power be structured? when within the country there are super deep political divisions? With Tanzania being the only real democracy in the whole neighborhood.

Is there going to be a single Union/Federation president with a prime minister or vice-president who will take matters of defense, foreign relation/political and economic ?

Its either like USSR, US union like or simply like EU, which is just economic with single currency . It can't be done any other way.

Unless you know anotherway.

You forget the two are the biggest proponents for a Federation...:)

Butembo what u fail to realise is that it is the dictators of the region who are pushing the most for the political union so clearly they already know the consequences.
On corruption, they are making sure that regulations are put in place at the regional level to properly deal with it. It will be hard for a kenyan leader to steal at the regional level if he knows other countries have the power to prosecute and punish him than in say Kenya where there is total impunity and he is seen is untouchable.
Because a kenyan politician stealing money for a joint project with say tanzania will highly likely not be tolerated and he is more likely to be punished as his corruption is not only affecting kenyans but also tanzanians.

Very true.For example,the Kenyan govt was sued and lost to a sitting MP.They were ordered to pay millions by the East African high court for failing to follow procedure while nominating people to represent Kenya in Arusha.

The aim is a regional president for certain limited issues like foreign policy, defence, economic policy but individual countries will retain sovereignty on domestic issues this will be different from EU as we do not plan to only stop on economic integration

Interesting.

On dictators, Kagame is retiring in 2017 while Museveni is an old man and by 2021 the constitution will bar him from standing as he will be above 75 years and it will much more difficult then to change that part of the constitution as one of the conditions for political integration is return of term limits so it is likely they will return in Museveni's last term.

Dictators in Africa die in power. what makes you think they will retire ?

They will be in power as long they serve the interests of the masters.

Museveni is trying to leave a legacy, for all his criticisms by observing his rule u can see he wants to be remembered for more than just being a president of UGanda. That is why one of his motivations of invading congo was to create some form of strong political union with congo of course where he was the top dog.

The invasion of Congo, was nothing more than US, UK driven , not because Museveni felt himself strong. The masters hated Mzee Kabila after he got in power, they used Uganda and Rwanda as their proxies and their prizes would be to loot Congo. Which they did, and even forgot about the rebels.

Facts are that. Congo and Uganda would never be in a single political union. Not even the proxie war has never happened.


It shows he wants a legacy of uniting Africa and assure u if he pulls it off he will have a legacy that rivals Kwame Nkrumah and all his past mistakes will be forgiven. He grew up in the 1960's and70's he to an extent still values african unity like the leaders at independence who shaped the direction of his life.
Oh, please. Museveni wll never be to level of Nkrumah, Lubumba, Nyerere etc...

Besides , you don't values African Unity or unity when you are a proxie tool. If one can't unite his nation, how will he be able to unite with those who give him no respect? Nor is he liked by his own nation.

just a point for butembo,

tanzania has a democracy but it is not the only democracy in EAC. it is the most stable deocracy in the EAC but the demcracy in tanzania has alot of growing up to

here is what i mean

tanzania is yet to experience an opposition party getting into power.

it is a poorly kept secret that the tanzania constitution needs serious reforms or a new constitution all together. as long as CCM is in power this will never happen.

the riots in mwanza are just but the tip of the iceberg. the common tanzanian has realised that you cannot peacefully fight the establishment at some point u have to take to the streets and make your opinion by force. people are tired of the establishment(CCM) and want reforms. at some point you have to say "fuck peace!!!" and i think tanzania is getting to that point

anyways my point is to say that dont be fooled by the PEACE in tanzania. they have demons that they dont like to face but time will force them to and how they deal with that will prove wether only TZ has a true democracy in the EAC.

however, i pray and hope that TZ remains a peaceful nation. lord knows east africa needs TZ to remain peaceful

just a point for butembo,

tanzania has a democracy but it is not the only democracy in EAC. it is the most stable deocracy in the EAC but the demcracy in tanzania has alot of growing up to

here is what i mean

tanzania is yet to experience an opposition party getting into power.

it is a poorly kept secret that the tanzania constitution needs serious reforms or a new constitution all together. as long as CCM is in power this will never happen.

the riots in mwanza are just but the tip of the iceberg. the common tanzanian has realised that you cannot peacefully fight the establishment at some point u have to take to the streets and make your opinion by force. people are tired of the establishment(CCM) and want reforms. at some point you have to say "fuck peace!!!" and i think tanzania is getting to that point

anyways my point is to say that dont be fooled by the PEACE in tanzania. they have demons that they dont like to face but time will force them to and how they deal with that will prove wether only TZ has a true democracy in the EAC.

however, i pray and hope that TZ remains a peaceful nation. lord knows east africa needs TZ to remain peaceful


True about what you say.

Tanzanian democracy will see strong oppositions (If the rulling party fails certain areas) or when the gap between the poor and rich widens (which is common in capitalist societies). As you said, lets hope it democracy grows stronger and stronger.
Kenya democracy is going through it most challenging times, but i seethat it will grow stronger in the future.

Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi still haven't seen democracy since god knows when. to be honest, with no bias . I would love to see them be strong democracies. I'm already sick and tired of the stone old school dictatorships.

They have a longtime to go. and Cote d'Ivoire is an example of what happens after dictatorships. in an already deeply divided societies along ethnic lines.


Anywho. We both know the EAC political Union is just a dream. Thats not going to happen any time soon or in our life time.

Anywho. We both know the EAC political Union is just a dream. Thats not going to happen any time soon or in our life time.
__________________

Why don't you let EAC member countries/citizens decide on that?

Why don't you let EAC member countries/citizens decide on that?

I gave me opinion. Its just my honest opinion. Not that i'm deciding for anyone.

As i said, It's just a dream. Well some dreams come true, many don't.

N.B: I'm not against it, BTW.

TIA (This Is Africa). Nothing is believed, until its done.

I gave me opinion. Its just my honest opinion. Not that i'm deciding for anyone.

As i said, It's just a dream. Well some dreams come true, many don't.

N.B: I'm not against it, BTW.

TIA (This Is Africa). Nothing is believed, until its done.
__________________

That dream is unfolding before our eyes.And you being for it or against it, is neither here nor there.
The EAC common passport,has a politico-economic angle to it.
EAC MPs/parliament, is a political entity, gearing towards political integration.
I don't know which is "your part of Africa" where nothing is believed until it is done, but in this part of Africa, we do not necessarily adhere to the same mantra.

True about what you say.

Tanzanian democracy will see strong oppositions (If the rulling party fails certain areas) or when the gap between the poor and rich widens (which is common in capitalist societies). As you said, lets hope it democracy grows stronger and stronger.
Kenya democracy is going through it most challenging times, but i seethat it will grow stronger in the future.

Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi still haven't seen democracy since god knows when. to be honest, with no bias . I would love to see them be strong democracies. I'm already sick and tired of the stone old school dictatorships.

They have a longtime to go. and Cote d'Ivoire is an example of what happens after dictatorships. in an already deeply divided societies along ethnic lines.


Anywho. We both know the EAC political Union is just a dream. Thats not going to happen any time soon or in our life time.

true man, what is happening in ivory coast is just one of those things that make you lose hope on africa, why the fuck do we keep going back to the same shit????????

anyways, i am a big supporter of the EAC but i still do not know how a political EAF would work. if there is going to be a political union then every country has to hold a referendum and LET THE PEOPLE DESCIDE!!!

honestly at this point i do not know whether i support a political federation or not. but i am an avid supporter of the economic community cuz i think it will greatly benefit the region as a whole

I gave me opinion. Its just my honest opinion. Not that i'm deciding for anyone.



That dream is unfolding before our eyes.And you being for it or against it, is neither here nor there.
The EAC common passport,has a politico-economic angle to it.
EAC MPs/parliament, is a political entity, gearing towards political integration.
I don't know which is "your part of Africa" where nothing is believed until it is done, but in this part of Africa, we do not necessarily adhere to the same mantra.

:applause:

Serengeti road row in East African court of justice

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Trade between East African Community partner states has increased by 94 percent in the last five years. Resident Mwai Kibaki says Intra EAC trade raised from 1.8 billion US Dollars in 2004 to 3.5 billion US Dollars in 2009. Speaking when he opened the third meeting of the fourth session of the East African Legislative Assembly which will sit in Nairobi for two weeks, Kibaki urged the assembly to look into pieces of legislation that will improve the business environment in the East African region.


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