East African Business Week (Kampala)
Bobi Odiko
3 December 2007
opinion
Friday, November 30, 2007 was East African Community (EAC) Day. I mused during discussion in my living room on the need to gazette the day as a regional public holiday.
The suggestion met an immediate lash by none other than my better half, quipping such proclamation would never see the light of the day beyond the four corners of the room. The reason being the fact that EAC is irrelevant and does not exist beyond Arusha City.
Aware of the direction the talk was headed, I resigned to opine the column knowing all too well the Herculean task ahead for the Community. That of crafting awareness of its existence, and marketing its goodies to the public as mooted by the founding fathers in the formative years after colonisation.
EAC was re-established in 1997, twenty years after the initial Community collapsed. In the decade or so of its presence, EAC boasts a semblance of "success" as it widens cooperation between Partner States in political, economic, social, and cultural affairs for the region's mutual benefit.
A Customs Union as the entry point, the Common Market on whose card, negotiations have commenced, monetary union and eventually, a political federation are often recited as the four- step integration path we need to go through.
The process although fundamental, is not written in stone, hence the recent decision to dialogue and collect views on the possibility of fast-tracking the Political Federation.
As this was taking place, Rwanda and Burundi whose application to join the EAC were pending, received due consideration. Ultimately, a declaration granting both nations full accession into the EAC came into force in July 2007.
Generally, credit must be given to Ambassador Juma Mwapachu, captain of the EAC Secretariat, and his team of lieutenants for sojourning on - the regional integration message. Further applause goes out to the Summit Members led by current chair and new boss at the Commonwealth Club, Yoweri Museveni.
But the EAC is continuously on the spot as being moribund, bureaucratic, and slow to make decisions and unpublicised. Much more needs to be done. The Customs Union has a myriad of problems initially referred to as "teething", but not any more. Three years on, some areas are yet to be fully smothered.
Non Tariff Barriers persist. The populace at times looks uncertain about the benefits despite a contra- background of the commitment to the process by the Heads of States.
The big question is what bedevils the region and how can East Africa overcome and portend itself as a success showcase of regional integration?
The answer lies in the Community setting aside the regional big day to reflect on its achievements and challenges alike. This can be preceded in the Partner States by a week of national activities to endure the concept to citizens' hearts and minds, culminating in pomp and celebration in Arusha - capital of the Community and nerve centre of its activities.
I stand corrected by those opposed to institutionalisation of another public holiday at the expense of tax payers. However, I hasten to add -this is not just "another day" but for nostalgic reasons, one befitting celebration.
Hitherto, EAC needs to rise and meet the expectations of the very public it serves. Services need to go beyond borders the mobile telephone way, governments expunge hold on territories and citizens move and roam freely shedding mindsets and re-loading instead, benefits of integration. But perhaps it starts right here with us in our living rooms. The believers of the Community need to preach to all, the converted and non-enthusiasts alike, so that EAC spiritualism may carry the day when the populace eventually heads to the referendum altar to install a political federate.
Because the article today is in honor of the region, bidding farewell to the challenging times and welcoming on board better times is in order. And because EAC belongs to all of us -a festive celebration marking EAC's birthday is the way to go. Allow me therefore, to propose a rallying toast to EAC.
The writer comments on socio-economic issues and is based in Arusha
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