The Civil Society Guide to Regional Economic Communities in Africa

Since 1963, when the African integration project was born, regional Economic Communities (RECs) have been an indispensable part of the continent’s deeper socioeconomic and political integration. More than half a century later, such regional institutions continue to evolve, keeping pace with an Africa that is transforming itself amid challenges and opportunities. RECs represent a huge potential to be the engines that drive the continent’s economic growth and development as well as being vehicles through which a sense of a continental community is fostered. It is critical therefore that citizens understand the multi-faceted and bureaucratic operations of regional institutions in order to use them to advance their collective interests.

Tables v

Figures vi

Acknowledgements vii

Background viii

1. Executive summary 1

Abbreviations and acronyms 1

1.1 Regional Economic Communities 1

1.2 Historical background and legal framework 2

1.3 Organs and institutions 3

1.4 Decision-making processes 3

1.5 Budgets and financing 4

1.6 Relationship with the AU and other RECs 5

1.7 Engagement with civil society 5

1.8 Current debates within the RECs 6

2. The East African Community 9

Abbreviations and acronyms 9

2.1 Historical background and legal framework 10

2.2 EAC organs and institutions 16

2.3 Decision-making at the EAC 26

2.4 Budgets and financing of EAC activities 33

2.5 Relationship with the AU and other RECs 35

2.6 Communication 37

2.7 Civil society in the EAC 37

2.8 Current debates in the EAC 43

Bibliography and resources 48

EAC contacts 49

3. The Economic Community of West African States 51

Abbreviations and acronyms 51

3.1 Historical background and legal framework 52

3.2 Organs and institutions of ECOWAS 58

3.3 The decision-making process in the ECOWAS framework 77

3.4 ECOWAS finances 81

3.5 CSO and NGO work in the ECOWAS framework 82

3.6 ECOWAS and the African Union 87

3.7 ECOWAS’s relationship with member states 88

3.8 Current debates in ECOWAS 89

Bibliography and resources 91

ECOWAS contacts 93

4. The Southern African Development Community 95

Abbreviations and acronyms 95

4.1 Historical background and legal framework 96

4.2 SADC organs and institutions 103

4.3 The decision-making process in SADC 114

4.4 Budgets and financing of SADC activities 116

4.5 Relationship with the AU 120

4.6 Civil society in SADC 121

4.7 Current debates in SADC 125

Bibliography and resources 127

SADC contacts 128