The East African economic integration and political federation are old and good ideas in principle which have experienced slow progress in realization.
In neighboring central African region, the ten year old federation (Northern Rhodesia, Southern Rhodesia and Nyasaland) collapsed in large part because it favored Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and undermined development prospects for black people.
In East Africa, the Community (EAP) which had been hailed as the most successful regional integration collapsed just before its tenth anniversary. Many reasons have been given for the collapse, the most common being uneven distribution of benefits and political-ideological differences.
Although the community was restored ten years ago in part to warm up political relations, the main reasons for failure of the first EAP still remain and have possibly got worse. The imbalance in resource endowments especially land, differences in population dynamics, manufacturing industries and skills developments still remain. The inclusion of Burundi and Rwanda with a different colonial history, language and level of economic and demographic dynamics has possibly complicated matters.
As the East African countries moved towards independence, the idea of federation was given a boost. In fact Nyerere of then Tanganyika was prepared to delay independence until all the three countries got liberated and formed a federation right away. In preparation for this outcome pending Kenya’s Uhuru, politicians from each territory made great supportive speeches and committees were formed.
As soon as Kenya got independence, things began to change. There was no more talk of “federation this year”. Dates were put back. Delegations did not show up for meetings. When speeches were made they were guarded. People expressed fear of “jumping into the dark”. Others felt the federation was an ‘Imperialist trick”. Tanganyika and Uganda were afraid of losing their identity to dominant Kenya. The benefits of national sovereignty began to work against federation.
Tanzania which was a staunch supporter of federation was the first to move away from it surprising everyone in East Africa and abroad. In 1965 Tanzania restricted imports from Kenya and Uganda and withdrew from the East African currency board. These actions dented the idea of federation. Tanzania felt it needed a chance to manufacture and export to the other two countries. It therefore had to restrict imports and raise tariffs to protect her infant industries against unfair competition. The ideological differences played their role too.
Wise leadership dictates that differences cannot be swept under the carpet in the hope that time will take care of them. Suggestions that a referendum should decide the federation question is not a wise one especially in countries where democracy is being practiced at gun point as in Uganda and Rwanda.
To avoid a repeat of past failures in economic integration and political federation in East and Central Africa respectively, we need to move cautiously, incrementally, sequentially and equitably. Putting political federation ahead of economic integration is like putting a cart before the horse.
Above all, we need to take some time to understand the real motives for the East African economic integration and political federation. Once again, we should avoid “jumping into the dark”!
ERIC KASHAMBUZI
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