The East African Cooperation (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising six countries in East Africa: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan. The EAC aims to promote economic, political, social, and cultural integration among its member states to foster sustainable development and enhance cooperation across the region. Founded in 1967, the EAC has undergone various transformations, with its current form being a regional economic community (REC) established in 2000.
In 2011 I worked as an Intern at the Ministry of East African Community. It was a great experience learning a lot about the structures of East African Community. At that time, there was a lot of hope on having in place the East African Cooperation (EAC) as a political federation using a common currency. Most of the experts were looking at the European Union as a role model.
In this article, I will highlight some of the important facts about the East African Cooperation (EAC). The area has a population of 146 million people living on an area of 1.82 million square kilometers. The block has a Gross Domestic Product of USD $147.5 billion as at 2015.
The regional body’s headquarters is based in Arusha, Tanzania. It was established in 1967 but dissolved in 1977. After several talks, the EAC was revived on 1st July, 2000. English is the official language of the East African Cooperation.
The youngest member state to join East African Cooperation is the Republic of South Sudan. She joined the East African Cooperation block on 15 April, 2016.
Read more;
–Somalia joins East African Community
–DRC Congo officially joined the East African Community block
2 thoughts on “East African Cooperation (EAC)”
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With the current challenges assailing the European union , do you thing political union for the EAC is feasible bearing in mind the socioeconomic and political dynamics of the region?.
I know the challenges facing EU may influence the progress of EAC towards becoming a political federation. Despite that, EAC has to push on because it may be the first one to attain the political federation status. It is a wait and see.