Why regional unity in EAC has failed to yield security

Regional integration has long been regarded as a pathway to peace, stability, and economic prosperity.

The East African Community was established with these objectives in mind by Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.

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Its framework incorporates peace and security as essential pillars. However, despite these ambitious goals, the EAC has failed to evolve into a security community.

Ongoing conflicts among its member states, particularly the persistent violence in Eastern DRC, demonstrate the EAC’s failure to ensure regional peace and security.

This article explores the reasons behind these shortcomings and examines the war in Goma as a case study of these failures.

SECURITY COMMUNITY CONCEPT

A security community is a regional group of sovereign states where war is unthinkable, and disputes are resolved peacefully through institutionalised processes.

The European Union and the peaceful relations between the United States and Canada exemplify successful security communities.

The establishment of such communities relies on shared norms, mutual trust, and a collective identity that discourages violent conflict.

In contrast, the EAC has struggled to achieve this status due to weak institutional mechanisms, a lack of trust, and conflicting national interests.

WAR IN EASTERN DRC

The ongoing conflict in Eastern DRC, particularly in Goma, exemplifies the EAC’s failure to foster a security community. Armed groups, including the M23 rebels, continue to operate despite numerous regional agreements and peace initiatives.

Several EAC member states, including Rwanda and Uganda, have been accused of directly or indirectly supporting these armed groups, exacerbating tensions rather than resolving them.

The inability of the EAC to mediate effectively and enforce peace agreements highlights its structural weaknesses and the lack of political will among its member states.

One of the core principles in international law that could have reinforced the EAC’s security commitments is Pacta Sunt Servanda, a Latin phrase meaning “Agreements must be kept.”

This principle, enshrined in Article 26 of the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, underscores the binding nature of treaties and agreements, aiming to ensure states adhere to their commitments in good faith.

The failure of EAC member states to honour their peace and security agreements has significantly undermined regional stability.

Whether in ceasefire agreements, cross-border security pacts, or broader regional security frameworks, neglecting this principle has contributed to the persistence of conflict, rather than its resolution.

While external actors such as the European Union and the United States have been linked to the war in Goma, this article focuses on the EAC’s role. Had the EAC fulfilled its mandate, external actors would have been prevented from influencing the war in the Eastern DRC.

The reality is that the EAC lacks the authority to address regional crises effectively. It is merely a coalition of individual states that collaborate on select issues based on national interests. It is deeply concerning to witness one member of an economic community invading another.

When Russia invaded Ukraine, a non-EU member but a geopolitical ally, the European Union swiftly imposed sanctions on Russia. In stark contrast, the EAC and the African Union remain neutral, despite Rwanda’s open aggression against the DRC.

This failure to act makes the EAC and the African Union the primary entities failing the people of the region.

CHALLENGES TO REGIONAL INTEGRATION AND SECURITY

1. Lack of Political Will and Commitment: National interests often override regional obligations, leading to non-compliance with security agreements.

2. Weak Institutional Frameworks: The EAC has established mechanisms for conflict resolution, such as the Peace and Security Strategy ( 2006) and the EAC Protocol on Peace and Security (2012). However, these frameworks have proven ineffective due to weak enforcement mechanisms and a lack of regional authority to hold member states accountable.

3. Divergent Political Systems and Governance Challenges: The EAC comprises countries with varying political systems, ranging from democracies to autocratic regimes.

This lack of political harmonisation has hindered the development of common security policies. Some member states prioritise regime survival over regional stability, fuelling rather than mitigating conflicts.

4. Economic and Security Interdependence Deficiencies: A fundamental requirement for a security community is economic interdependence, which raises the cost of conflict.

HOW TO STRENGTHEN EAC’S SECURITY COMMUNITY

1. Strengthening Institutional Mechanisms: The EAC must enhance its enforcement capabilities by establishing an independent regional security body with the authority to impose sanctions on member states that violate peace agreements.

2. Fostering Political Commitment and Trust: Member states must prioritise regional peace over national interests by committing to transparent and consistent diplomatic engagements.

3. Enhancing Economic Integration: Increasing intra-regional trade and economic interdependence can serve as a deterrent to conflict and promote regional stability.

4. Harmonising Political Systems and Governance Standards: The EAC should work toward aligning democratic principles and governance structures to create a more cohesive regional bloc.

5. Strengthening Conflict Mediation and Peacekeeping Efforts: The EAC should establish a robust conflict mediation mechanism to actively engages conflicting parties and deploy peacekeeping missions where necessary.

CONCLUSION

The EAC’s failure to evolve into a security community has resulted in persistent conflicts among its member states, with the war in Eastern DRC serving as a stark example of these shortcomings.

Addressing these challenges requires strong political will, institutional reforms, economic interdependence, and trust-building measures among member states. Without these critical changes, the EAC will continue to struggle with regional instability, undermining its broader goals of integration and development.

As Bob Marley once said, “How long shall they kill our prophets while we stand aside and look?” EAC must recognise that if it does not address its internal fractures, it risks perpetuating a cycle in which brothers turn against brothers, enabling external forces to manipulate and exploit regional weaknesses.

Only through genuine commitment to peace, unity, and cooperation can the dream of a true East African security community be realised.

The writer is a Zambian lawyer, scholar and international advocate specialising in international law, human rights and refugee protection.