East Africa politics mars region's crisis role

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
East Africa ◽  
Political Crisis ◽  
The Political ◽  
East African ◽  
Content Type ◽  
East African Community ◽  
African Community ◽  
Step Down

Significance Opposition parties reject the new dates, stating that their main demand is for Nkurunziza to step down before polls take place. The new dates adhere to East African Community (EAC) recommendations to delay elections. While the regional bloc may have more influence over Burundi than other external players, it will struggle to play an effective diplomatic role in ending the political crisis. Impacts A prolonged crisis will worsen a poorly performing economy, which is heavily dependent on foreign support. Belgium, the largest donor, may cut further bilateral support should Nkurunziza secure a third mandate. Economic disruption continues to hurt agricultural supply chains across the country, risking food security.

African aviation growth will hinge on open skies

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Aviation Safety ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
The Political ◽  
East African ◽  
State Support ◽  
Content Type ◽  
East African Community ◽  
Safety Standards ◽  
African Community ◽  
Better Than

Significance The high cost of taking a 50-minute flight within the East African Community reflects a long-standing paradox in which intra-African air traffic is growing faster than global averages -- and passengers pay higher fares -- yet a majority of the continent’s biggest carriers make major losses. A prime driver of this dynamic is the high tariffs, fees and quotas imposed by African aviation authorities, in what remain highly protected markets. Deregulation of Africa's airspace has long been touted as the solution. However, the political impediments to achieving such an outcome remain substantial. Impacts Aviation sector developments will be crucial for the continued growth of Africa’s tourism industry. Improved aviation safety standards would reduce the costs of financing and insuring aircraft. Carriers that receive state support, such as Ethiopian Airlines, will still do better than their competitors.

Uganda-Rwanda pact will not resolve political crisis

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Regional Integration ◽  
Bilateral Trade ◽  
Spillover Effects ◽  
Political Crisis ◽  
East African ◽  
Content Type ◽  
East African Community ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
African Community ◽  
Trade Dynamics

Significance Relations had been openly hostile -- and the border between the two countries closed -- since late February until Presidents Paul Kagame and Yoweri Museveni agreed on August 21 to end the feud. Impacts The feud will accelerate ongoing shifts in regional trade dynamics, as both countries diversify away from bilateral trade. Bilateral competition will undermine efforts at deeper regional integration through the East African Community. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) could suffer spillover effects, as both countries focus on armed opposition groups based there.

scholarly journals EAC – an Answer for Regional Problems or Failed Solutions in East Africa?

Politeja ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (56) ◽  
pp. 267-277
Author(s):  
Anna Cichecka
Keyword(s):  
East Africa ◽  
Regional Identity ◽  
East African ◽  
Integration Model ◽  
East African Community ◽  
Intergovernmental Cooperation ◽  
African Community ◽  
Regional Problems ◽  
Common Policy

One of the definitions states that regionalism means a common policy or project aimed at increasing informal links and economic, political and social transactions which strengthen integration processes, intensify intergovernmental cooperation and create regional identity among the community. According to the above, it was assumed that firstly, states in a group are stronger and more effective and secondly, that regionalism and regionalization may be regarded as a way to solve some regional problems and to contribute to the development of individual states. This narrative became especially attractive for underdeveloped and dysfunctional regions as it offered an opportunity for changes. As a result, a quantitative increase in regional initiatives started. The article is dedicated to the integration processes in the East Africa region. The main aim of the paper is to examine the situation in East Africa, regarding the role that the East African Community has played in this area. Moreover, an attempt has been made to analyze the integration model adopted by the organization and find out if the EAC is able to solve the main regional problems or rather to propose a failed solution and maintain dysfunctional patterns in the organization.

East African regional relations face a period of flux

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Infrastructure Projects ◽  
Nile Basin ◽  
East African ◽  
Content Type ◽  
East African Community ◽  
Nile Basin Initiative ◽  
African Community

Significance This may have a profound effect on East Africa’s two main regional blocs -- the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the East African Community (EAC). Impacts Trade tensions fuelled by incompatible COVID-19 strategies could ease after Burundi and Tanzania changed tack. Tanzanian re-engagement could help reinvigorate stalled regional infrastructure projects. Ethiopia may try to revive region-wide Nile Basin Initiative water talks, partly to isolate Egypt, partly to restore its own standing.

Isolation and drift mar Kenya's foreign policy outlook

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Water Security ◽  
Criminal Court ◽  
East African ◽  
Content Type ◽  
East African Community ◽  
Oil Pipeline ◽  
External Relations ◽  
Oil Export ◽  
African Community ◽  
The Eu

Subject Outlook for Kenya's external relations. Significance Last week, Uganda overrode its oil pipeline agreement with Kenya by agreeing a rival deal with Tanzania in a major setback for Kenya's ambitions to lead economic integration in the East African Community (EAC), while boosting its own oil export plans. It comes amid several other external challenges, notably the deputy president's case at the International Criminal Court (ICC) and overspill from the Somali conflict. Impacts Deals signed during the president's visit to Israel will likely result in skills and technology transfer to improve Kenya's water security. Recent US airstrikes against an al-Shabaab training site in Somalia will boost the AMISOM mission. However, the EU decision to cut AMISOM funding by 20% will pose longer-term difficulties unless regional states find substitute funding.

New Tanzania leader may face resistance to reform

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
East Africa ◽  
Economic Integration ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Political Crisis ◽  
The Political ◽  
Regional Economic Integration ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Vested Interests ◽  
The Face ◽  
Low Cost Carrier

Subject Outlook for Tanzania's new administration. Significance In his first two months in office, President John Magufuli has been quick to tackle corruption, address falling tax revenues and improve governance. Other economic difficulties still confront his new administration, and he faces the challenge of establishing his authority, which will be vital in securing reforms in the face of vested interests and in addressing the political crisis in Zanzibar. Impacts Low cost carrier Fastjet's new routes and lower fares will help boost intra-East Africa travel, helping regional economic integration. Political cleavages, especially in Zanzibar, could provide inroads for low-level Islamist militant activity, posing moderate threats. Unlike Kenya, where risks are greater, this is unlikely to deter tourism; the sector will also benefit from higher budget allocations. Magafuli's endorsement of the African Union's proposed peacekeeping deployment in Burundi may encourage regional states to back the plan.

Burundi crisis is set to escalate

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
East African ◽  
Content Type ◽  
East African Community ◽  
African Community ◽  
Financial Contributions

Significance Violence has increased significantly since President Pierre Nkurunziza was inaugurated in August. The country is under growing international spotlight as fears are growing that the crisis is adopting an ethnic dimension. However, there are more important factors shaping the chances for escalation. Impacts Nkurunziza is unlikely to take on the East African Community (EAC) chairmanship as scheduled at end-November, disrupting regional protocol. The EAC's budget faces strain as Burundi fails to clear its financial contributions and donors consider pulling some funding. Refugee flows from Burundi will rise, straining existing tensions with neighbouring states.

Early oil could stabilise Uganda’s economy

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Growth ◽  
Convergence Criteria ◽  
East African ◽  
Tax Base ◽  
Content Type ◽  
East African Community ◽  
Public Investments ◽  
Community Convergence ◽  
African Community ◽  
Near Term

Subject Uganda economic outlook. Significance Economic growth could improve to 5.8% in 2018, aided by a recovery in private consumption and increased spending on oil-related and public investments. However, the mounting external debt burden amid the US Federal Reserve’s interest-rate tightening cycle could pose near-term challenges, as the shilling’s weakness compounds the government’s growing debt-service obligations. Nevertheless, if managed well, these concerns should ease once oil begins to flow. Impacts Stubbornly high commercial lending rates despite lower policy rates pose the greatest impediment to long-term sustainable growth. The climbdown on potentially lucrative mobile money taxes suggests reluctance to widen the tax base at the risk of social unrest. Currency interventions will be limited by East African Community convergence criteria requiring reserves worth 4.5 months of imports.

Kenya-Tanzania tensions will simmer

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Bilateral Trade ◽  
East African ◽  
Trade Disputes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
East African Community ◽  
African Community

Significance The trade disputes are emblematic of the difficult relationship between Nairobi and Dodoma, which has been aggravated in recent years by mutual recriminations alleging interference in one another’s elections. These tensions are shaped by deeper rivalries between the two countries, as a rising Tanzania seeks to challenge Kenyan political and economic dominance. Impacts The Tanzanian president’s quick congratulations to Kenyatta, before Odinga has conceded, may take some heat out of interference claims. The East African Community (EAC)'s failure to end the bilateral trade rows will damage its claims to be able to resolve internal disputes. Tensions will slow EAC integration, making plans for currency integration even more remote.

Uganda-Rwanda tensions will inflame regional relations

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Consensus Building ◽  
African Union ◽  
East African ◽  
Content Type ◽  
East African Community ◽  
Cross Border ◽  
Bilateral Relations ◽  
Border Trade ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
African Community

Subject Uganda-Rwanda bilateral relations. Significance Rwanda and Uganda have held a series of meetings aimed at defusing tensions following a string of controversial deportations of Rwandans from Uganda. The highest profile saw Rwandan President Paul Kagame meet Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on the sidelines of the African Union Summit on January 28. Following the discussion, exchanges of hostile rhetoric have eased. However, relations remain fragile, and the recent friction has inflamed deep-seated antagonisms. Impacts Regional crises in Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) could become a further point of contention. Uganda-Rwanda frictions may hamper consensus-building in the already-divided East African Community. A spike in tensions could impact cross-border trade and tourism.

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