The East African Community (EAC), once hailed as a beacon of regional unity and cooperation, has become increasingly ineffective and fragmented.
Despite ambitious goals of creating a common market, a monetary union and even a political federation, progress has been painfully slow. National interests consistently override collective vision and member states often act unilaterally, undermining the bloc’s credibility.
The rejection of EAC forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was a glaring example of the bloc’s weak influence and poor coordination on regional security matters. It exposed the lack of trust and cooperation among members, as well as the absence of a coherent foreign or defense policy.
Equally troubling is the EAC’s silence on the deteriorating political space and human rights abuses within its member states — a silence that reflects its unwillingness to hold leaders accountable.
When EAC leaders meet in their annual Summit, which will bring an end to President William Ruto of Kenya’s Summit Chairmanship, they must talk candidly about the future of the regional organisation.
Without honest reflection and renewed commitment to its founding principles, the EAC risks sliding further into irrelevance — becoming a talking shop rather than a catalyst for East Africa’s collective progress.
