The first East African Community was set up in 1967, and collapsed ten years later. In 1999, the leaders of Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania came to an agreement that the community should be resurrected. A few years later, the Community got two new members, Rwanda and Burundi.
The East African Common Market, an aspect of Economic Integration, and one of the pillars of the federation, came into force in July 2010.
Lately, the leaders of East Africa, and especially Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, have been pushing for the fast-tracking of Political Integration. In fact, Museveni has described political federation as “the roof” over all the other protocols that the East African countries have come up with.
Some experts however, have warned that Political Federation is good in principal, but needs a proper process, not fast-tracking.
This edition brings you the debate on whether East Africa is ready for Political Federation, and what can be done to sustain this federation, to avoid a situation similar to the 1977 collapse.
Check our Home Page for details on when you can listen to the program, and on what station.
