This archive report was first published on 31 August 2019.
East Africa's integration efforts have been marred by criticism from civil society organizations and scholars, who blame the region's political leaders for failing to keep their commitments to promote regional integration.
According to experts, the decisions made by the East African Community (EAC) heads of state are driven by political leaders rather than the people, and are often anchored in a treaty that lacks legal backing.
At the EAC Integration Symposium held in Arusha on Thursday, Prof Mohabe Nyirabu from the University of Dar es Salaam noted that the European Union has much to teach Africans about regional integration.
Dr Azaveli Lwaitama, programme co-ordinator with Vision East Africa Forum, which organized the symposium, stated that the EAC heads of state have chosen gradual political co-operation in specified areas to avoid losing sovereignty to the bloc.
He further criticized the African Continental Free Trade Area, saying it is nothing but a retreat from the African Economic Community.
