The latest gunshots in a war-torn East African zone seem to have been fired in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by the M23, a rebel group that DRC President Felix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo alleged was sponsored by the Kigali government.
The Rwandan government has now distanced itself from such actions, stating that the DRC shot rockets into Rwandan territory in exchange for cheap political capital.
Rwanda is concerned that DRC is assisting the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an armed rebel movement located in DRC commanded by ethnic Hutus suspected of involvement in the 1994 genocide.
DR Congo is East Africa’s baby, having just joined the economic bloc alongside Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan, increasing the total to seven.
DRC also covers the missing connection between the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic coastal waters, implying that with its inclusion in the union, the two massive bodies of water would have a faster route to meet, mitigating the region’s economic challenges.
As a result, any conflict inside East Africa (EA) immediately impedes not just the region’s political but also its economic integration.
Member states criticizing one another of sponsoring dissidents will not get us far.
Every member has had a tumultuous connection with each other. Between 1987 and 1989, Uganda and Kenya were on the verge of war because both nations mistrusted each other’s security.
Kenyan President Daniel arap Moi accused President Museveni of backing the Mwakenya Movement, while the latter accused the former of backing ex-President Apollo Milton Obote against the NRA. Kigali has often clashed with Burundi, Congo, and Uganda.
However, we tend to halt these hostilities and reestablish relations after a while, just to resume where we left off or to start a new war with another member state.
Rwanda has reopened its Gatuna border crossing with Uganda after a two-year closure. The East African Community group should be searching for ways to resolve conflicts among all member nations.
Each member state has a problem with the other. This will serve as the foundation for core integration conversations.
Tanzania has repeatedly rejected Kenyan agricultural products in the name of defending its farmers from unfair competition.
Kenya recently did the same with Ugandan eggs, levying a charge on each tray imported from Uganda.
Small pockets of warlords in South Sudan have slain Ugandan drivers. However, the Sudanese government has made relatively little involvement in this regard. No compensation has been paid to the deceased families, despite the fact that these truckers were slain by dissidents over whom their government should have triumphed in order to facilitate a smooth passage of products to South Sudan.
Both Kenya and Somalia have a maritime boundary issue to settle, and the two troubled nations seem to be no closer to reaching an agreement.
Only member nations that do not have a shared border seem to have a relatively decent relationship. Typically provides advice services between entangled members.
If we do not align our policies on politics, trade, and the economy, we would be unable to completely integrate the EAC.
Most hostilities between member nations occur as a result of a difference in political philosophy, resource exploration, or the syndication of economic agendas encouraged by either domestic or foreign forces.
According to the most recent United Nations estimates, the current population of East Africa is 467,399,046 as of Sunday, June 12, 2022. This population represents 5.71 percent of the entire global population.
To resolve regional disagreements for the welfare of East Africa, our leaders should embrace discussion rather than violence.
