The Development of East African Community

The East African Community (EAC) is a partnershipcountries. With all these predicaments, economic
community of three unified countries of Kenya,problems of the three countries became severe and
Uganda, and Tanzania. The main office of the EAC istheir economy status eventually fell. There was no
to be found in Arusha, Tanzania. These countriesfederation as a result, EAC had no choice but to
were under the British colonial power before theyeither break-up or create a new structure that would
gained their independence. The aim of the agreementbe acceptable for the three countries. EAC could not
was to maintain the collaborative national trade duringanymore withstand its flaws thus, in 1977, it broke up
the British reign. The agreed partnership between theand the formal agreement of division was conducted
three countries was imposed in June 1967.in 1983.
The objective of EAC was to strengthen the threeThe three countries decided that they would work
countries by helping each other in creating one stableindependently for a while until they have gained
market and community. It was also established tonational stability before they would take in
creating a mutual relation between the threeconsideration the partnership with one another. After
countries in terms of development. Its objectivegaining economic and political stability, the leaders of
could be accomplished by cooperative and regulatedthe three countries decided to revive the defunct
development and trade. It was decided that allEAC in 1994. It was anticipated that the restoration
member states will accordingly receive equal shareof the EAC treaty would generate a congruent
that was gained from the economic results. Theeconomic status for the three countries. The new
organizational structure of the East AfricanEAC strategy is expected to accentuate economic
Community were directed by the Summit of Headspartnership and progress with a strong concern for
of State and Government which consisted of thesocial improvement. The development of the newly
three presidents of the three countries, Kenya,formed EAC is still being underway. But based on the
Uganda, and Tanzania.statistical data of the three countries, their countries
Even though the purpose of the EAC was beneficial,are experiencing gradual improvement. There is still
it did not last long. Its break-up was not because ofmuch more to observe in the development of EAC.
poverty but was mainly because of its organizational.Hopefully, its gradual process would constantly rise.
The union of the three countries was influenced byThere are some recommendations that must be
political factors. The community became vulnerable totaken in mind. There should be federal government
political instability after gaining independence whichfor EAC which shall be independent from the states
resulted to poor governance. Governance is angovernments. The federal government should
important factor in maintaining a healthy communitypromote local and international free trade. Having one
thus having weak authority may lead to downfall ofunified currency would be a benefit for their
the community. This flaw led to the failure of theeconomy. The quality education should also be
common services offered by their government, suchimproved and standardized. The three countries
as education, trade and health, which contributedshould also look on the other possibilities of
largely in the volatility of the community. The leadersproduction opportunities such as industrialization. The
of the EAC were not quite communicated with eachpurpose of EAC is feasible; it may be gained with
other mainly because the headquarters of the EACproper governance and use of the vast available
was located in Kenya which gave the feeling thatresources. Every community has the chance to
Kenya was having the lion's share between the threeproliferate and so does the East African Community.