THE East African Community (EAC) summit at the weekend directed a number of governments to complete national consultations on EAC political federation by June 30, 2025.

In a resolution the summit directed the governments of Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia to engage in those consultations, as the region works towards greater integration.

Incoming summit chairman, Kenyan President William Ruto, said work needs to be accelerated to form the United States of East Africa, with Burundi, Kenya and Uganda having already completed their national consultations on the matter. 

The decision raised hopes among summit observers that a union of countries in the eastern and horn of Africa is in the making, as in preliminary discussions the day before (Friday), presidents Ruto and his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni had pointed out the quest for federation has been there for 60 years.

The Heads of State also instructed DRC and Somalia—the EAC’s newest members—to appoint constitutional experts to the EAC Secretariat here by January 31.

In their joint communiqué, the eight leaders tasked the EAC council of ministers with adopting “variable geometry” in the political integration process, with a report on suggested mechanisms to be presented at next year’s summit.

Efforts to fast-track integration across the region are not new but have constantly hit stumbling blocks, earlier being a ‘coalition of the willing’ grouping Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda while Tanzania wanted a slower pace.

Implementing protocols of the East African Common Market has proved difficult as Tanzania held up on issues of the right of establishment, which includes ability to purchase property or start a business.

With the EAC comprising of newcomers, other challenges arise, including the low level civil war in Somalia, the confrontation between the DRC and Rwanda over armed groups in eastern DRC, plus the radicalisation of political activity in most of the region, while hopes exist that a wider federation could set up supranational democratic structures.

Outgoing EAC chairman Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan along with presidents Museveni and Ruto, as well as Rwandan leader Paul Kagame, host president Samia Suluhu Hassan and DRC leader Félix Tshisekedi, Somalia’s Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (Somalia), and Burundi Vice President Prosper Bazombanza signed the communique.

EAC ministers were similarly tasked to adopt inclusive digital policies and payment solutions to enhance trade, improve security and empower youth and women in production and cross-border trade. 

A dedicated meeting with EAC organs, partner state agencies, the private sectors and trade lobbies need to convene to develop a joint action plan by April 2025, the communique directed.

President Ruto assumed the rotating chairmanship after a diplomatic deadlock over DRC taking up the chair as its communication with Kigali authorities is in limbo, while Somalia will serve as rapporteur for one year up to the next summit.