Grade 6- Regional Co-operations in Eastern Africa

• The East African Community was formed in 1967.

• Initially, its members were Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

• The presidents of the three countries came together to form the organization.

• It had its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.

• In 1977, the EAC collapsed due to political differences between the three countries.

• The EAC was revived in 1988 as East African Cooperation.

• In 2001 it changed its name to East African Community as the original one, with the headquarters remaining in Arusha.

• The head of states meet regularly to discuss how to improve the provision of services to the people.
  

Members of EAC

• Kenya

• Uganda

• Tanzania

• Rwanda

• Burundi

• South Sudan

• Democratic Republic of Congo.

Objectives of the East African Community (EAC)

1. Promote research, science and technology.

2. Promote trade among member states.

3. Establish a common market.

4. Improve infrastructure in the member states.

5. Allow the movement of people and goods.

6. Promote trade among the member state.

7. Provision of common services in area such as transport communication, education, health, security and legal affairs

8. Making the movement of people in the religion

9. Establishment of wider common market in the region

10. The community has encouraged free movement of the people and goods.

11. The community has promoted goods of member–states against unfair competition from other regions

Benefits of the East African Community to member states

1. Has allowed free movement of people and goods.

2. Has increased trading activities among the member states.

3. Has helped in the improvement of infrastructure.

4. Has created common market for goods produced in the region.

Challenges the East African Community

1. Production of similar goods especially agricultural products.

2. Lack of common currency.

3. Lack of good will by the leaders.

4. Poor means of transport and communication in some countries

5. Breakdown in diplomacy

6. Lack of trust among member states

7. Political instability in some countries hinders smooth co-operation.

Solutions to challenges facing the East African Community

1. Lowering tariffs and taxes

2. Members to diversify the goods of trade.

3. Solving political differences to create political stability.

4. Allowing free movement of goods and people.

5. Member should diversify and produce different items of trade

6. Promotion of good communication networks

7. Development of commons currency

8. Development of good road network system