Written by Bobi Odiko
A new year comes with new hope, anticipation and wide expectations. The probability is that 2010 shall hold a bag of goodies for the East African Community. The curtain recently closed on what was an exciting, rather challenging and sometimes tumultuous twelve months for the EAC region in general.
A number of achievements were realised in the 365 days that made up 2009. They included the signing of the protocol of the Common Market thus paving way for the freedom of movement, capital and the rights of establishment.
In another memorable event, the EAC flung open champagne bottles toasting to the celebration marking ten years of its existence on the driving seat of the integration process.
The private sector and civil society likewise made vast contribution to the EAC in more ways than one and sometimes in equal measure - all with the underlying intention of strengthening regional integration.
That aside, 2009 was not devoid of challenges. The region continued to witness the effervescent ghost called the non-tariff barriers as a result of delays at weighbridges, roadblocks and Customs offices. Equivalents of US$9.8 million were paid out variously in bribes along the way, according to the Business Climate Index Survey 2008. Such a colossal sum if invested elsewhere could have made fundamental difference. One can carry on and on with the reflective review of 2009.
Over the coming twelve months, there are a number of areas expected to dominate the agenda for the EAC. One such is the anticipated elimination of the tariffs following the entry of the fully-fledged Customs Union which commenced in earnest three weeks ago.
According to the original plan, the elimination of internal tariffs among Partner States was to be achieved in five years. A Common External Tariff (CET) with a minimum rate of zero per cent for raw materials and capital goods, 10 per cent for intermediate products and 25 per cent for finished products, was to be achieved within the same period.
It is 2010 now and thus, the moment of reckon has arrived. It also needs to be brought to fore that 2010 will see the coming into effect of the Common Market heralding the dispensation of free movement of goods and services.
Secretary General of the EAC, Ambassador Juma Mwapachu recently led his troops in outlining areas of strategic intervention at the EAC staff retreat. According to the Secretariat, EAC would be targeting greater co-operation in defence matters, implementation of the Common Market, and making progress on the Monetary Union and the Political Federation. There are plans to revive the negotiations for the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) with the hope that it shall be finalized during the year. A series of meetings shall be also on-going including holding the inaugural EAC summit on Food Security and Climate Change, according to the EAC boss.
One hopes all the plans shall bear fruit and earn both public support and public confidence. The Community is heading into a crucial stage in the integration process. Success shall only be realized when and where there is genuine interest by the Partner States and all the stakeholders in the process.
Then, there needs to be goodwill so that the region is able to tackle collectively, the socio-economic challenges of poverty, insecurity, corruption and unemployment that eat and weaken the very social fabric of society.
Hopefully, there shall be significant contribution by all and sundry towards enabling the realization of the ideals and aspirations of the EAC - that of unification and oneness.
The writer comments on socio-economic issues and is based in Arusha |
