According to a report by the East African Court of Justice, East Africans have nowhere to present any disputes that may arise from a common market. Only a few verbal statements have been made by several bureaucrats in support of the passing of the negotiations Act while the real execution has witnessed a general reluctance from major stakeholders ranging from line ministries within the partners states to the EAC Secretariat itself.

The East African Joint Trade Negotiations Act was assented to by the Summit in 2007.

To date, the Act is yet to be effected and no progress has been made and the mechanisms that were put in place have not yet been initiated by partner states.

In order to build an inclusive East African Community, the partner states will be obliged to implement the negotiations Act by forming a commission at the EAC Secrtatariat in order for traders to seek redress on any conflicts that may arise within the EAC bloc.

With the EAC common market already in place, such a commission is fundamental to address matters such as those pertaining to participation in the multilateral agreements in the World Trade Organisation and economic partnership agreements so as to facilitate the EAC's participation as one single bloc rather than individual countries.

Relevant issues

It's also expected to conduct research, commission studies and consult any person in the discharge of its powers, prepare strategic and positional papers on relevant issues relating to regional or multilateral negotiations affecting the partner states as may be prescribed by EAC laws.