View source for East African Community

{{Short description|Intergovernmental organisation for African countries}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}}

{{Infobox Geopolitical organization
| name                   = {{collapsible list
  |titlestyle = text-align:center;font-size:80%;
  |title = {{big|East African Community}}
  |liststyle = text-align:center;font-size:95%;font-weight:normal;
  | {{small|{{native name|sw|Jumuiya ya Afrika Mashariki}}}}
  | {{small|{{native name|fr|Communauté d'Afrique de l'Est}}}}
  | {{small|{{native name|rw|Umuryango w’Ibihugu by’Iburasirazuba bw’Afurika}}}}
  | {{small|{{native name|so|Bulshada Bariga Afrika}}}}
  | {{small|{{native name|ln|Lisanga ya Afrika ya Est}}}}
  | {{small|{{native name|lg| ekitundu ky’obuvanjuba bwa Afrika}}}}
}}
| linking_name           = the East African Community
| image_flag             = Flag of the East African Community.svg
| alt_flag               = Nine horizontal strips coloured (from top to bottom): blue, white, black, green, yellow, green, red, white, then blue. The emblem of the EAC is placed in the centre.
| image_symbol           = Emblem of the East African Community.png
| symbol_type            = Emblem
| symbol_width           = 95px
| motto                  = "Ushirikiano wa Afrika Mashariki"
| anthem                 = "[[Wimbo wa Jumuiya Afrika Mashariki]]"
| image_map              = East African Community (orthographic projection).svg
| map_width              = 220px
| map_caption            = An [[orthographic map projection]] of the world, highlighting the East African Community's member states (green)
| org_type               = [[International organization|Intergovernmental]]
| membership_type        = [[#Partner states|Partner states]]
| membership             = {{collapsible list
  |titlestyle = text-align:left;font-weight:normal;
  |title = 8 states
  |{{flagcountry|Burundi}}
  |{{flagcountry|DR Congo}}
  |{{flagcountry|Kenya}}
  |{{flagcountry|Rwanda}}
  |{{flagcountry|Somalia}}
  |{{flagcountry|South Sudan}}
  |{{flagcountry|Tanzania}}
  |{{flagcountry|Uganda}}
 }}
| admin_center_type      = Headquarters
| admin_center           = [[Arusha]], Tanzania
| coordinates            = {{Coord|3|22|S|36|41|E|type:city}}
| lats                   = 
| longs                  = 
| largest_city           = [[Kinshasa]], DR Congo
| official_languages     = [[English language|English]]<ref name=language/>
| languages_type         = [[List of lingua francas#Swahili|Lingua franca]]
| languages              = [[Swahili language|Swahili]], [[French language|French]]<ref name=language/>
| demonym                = East African
| leader_title1          = {{nowrap|Summit Chairperson}}
| leader_name1           = {{nowrap|{{flagicon|Kenya}} [[William Ruto]]}}<ref>{{Cite tweet |user=jumuiya |number=1728040839707078775 |title=South Sudan has assumed Chairmanship of the East African Community. }}</ref>
| leader_title2          = {{nowrap|Council Chairperson}}
| leader_name2           = {{flagicon|Kenya}} [[Beatrice Asukul Moe]]
| leader_title3          = [[East African Court of Justice|EACJ]] President
| leader_name3           = {{flagicon|Burundi}} [[Nestor Kayobera]]
| leader_title4          = [[East African Legislative Assembly|EALA]] Speaker
| leader_name4           = {{flagicon|Burundi}} [[Joseph Ntakarutimana]]
| leader_title5          = [[List of secretaries general of the East African Community|Secretary General]]
| leader_name5           = {{flagicon|Kenya}} [[Veronica Nduva]]
| legislature            = [[East African Legislative Assembly|Legislative Assembly]]
| established_event1     = First established
| established_date1      = 1967
| established_event2     = Dissolved
| established_date2      = 1977
| established_event3     = Re-established
| established_date3      = 7 July 2000
| drives_on              = left (in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda)<br>right (in the rest of the EAC)
| official_website       = {{official URL}}
| area_footnote          = 
| area_magnitude         = 
| area_km2               = 5,449,717 <ref name="CIAPop">{{cite web |title=The World Factbook |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/ |access-date=7 June 2024 |work=cia.gov}}{{PD-notice|CIA World Factbook}}</ref> <!--Calculated by adding the total area of EAC member states-->
| area_sq_mi             = 
| percent_water          = 3.83
| area_label             = Total
| area_label2            = 
| area_dabodyalign       = 
| population_estimate    = 343,328,958<ref name = "CIAPop" /> <!--Calculated by adding the total population of EAC member states-->
| population_estimate_year = 2024
| population_density_km2 = 63
| population_density_sq_mi = 
| GDP_PPP                = Int$1,027.067 billion<ref name=imf>{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2024/April/weo-report?c=618,636,664,714,733,738,746,&s=NGDPD,PPPGDP,&sy=2023&ey=2029&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1|title=World Economic Outlook database: April 2024 |website=imf.org |access-date=13 June 2024 }}</ref>
| GDP_PPP_year           = 2024
| GDP_PPP_per_capita     = Int$2,991 <!--Calculated by dividing the total GDP/population of EAC member states-->
| GDP_nominal            = US$349.774 billion<ref name=imf/>
| GDP_nominal_year       = 2024
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = US$1,019<!--Calculated by dividing the total GDP/population of EAC member states-->
| Gini                   = 
| Gini_ref               = 
| Gini_year              = 
| HDI                    = 0.515
| HDI_ref                = 
| HDI_year               = 2022
}}

The '''East African Community''' ('''EAC''') is an [[international organization|intergovernmental organisation]] in [[East Africa]]. The EAC's membership consists of eight states: [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]], the [[Somalia|Federal Republic of Somalia]], the Republics of [[Burundi]], [[Kenya]], [[Rwanda]], [[South Sudan]], [[Uganda]], and [[Tanzania]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eac.int/press-releases/2977-east-african-community-continues-on-a-trajectory-of-expansion-as-summit-admits-somalia-into-the-bloc|publisher=Eac.int|title=East African Community continues on a trajectory of expansion as Summit admits Somalia into the bloc|date=25 November 2023}}</ref> [[William Ruto]], the president of Kenya, is the current EAC chairman. The organisation was founded in 1967, collapsed in 1977, and was revived on 7 July 2000.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.eac.int/about-eac/quick-facts.html | title=East African Community – Quick Facts | work=East African Community Portal | publisher=Eac.int | access-date=1 July 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090319013530/http://www.eac.int/about-eac/quick-facts.html | archive-date=19 March 2009}}</ref> The main objective of the EAC is to foster regional economic integration.

In 2008, after negotiations with the [[Southern African Development Community]] (SADC) and the [[Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa]] (COMESA), the EAC agreed to an expanded free trade area including the member states of all three organisations. The EAC is an integral part of the [[African Economic Community]].

The EAC is a potential precursor to the establishment of the [[East African Federation]], a proposed [[federation]] of its members into a single [[sovereign state]].<ref name="econ-20190209">{{cite news |url=https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2019/02/09/a-political-union-for-east-africa |title=A political union for east Africa? – You say you want a federation |newspaper=[[The Economist]] |date=9 February 2019 |access-date=4 August 2019 |url-access=limited}}</ref> In 2010, the EAC launched [[#Common market|its own common market]] for [[goods]], labour, and capital within the region, with the goal of creating a common currency and eventually a full political [[federation]]<ref name="reuters">{{cite news | title=FACTBOX-East African common market begins | url=https://af.reuters.com/article/kenyaNews/idAFLDE65T2AJ20100701?sp=true | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118170653/http://af.reuters.com/article/kenyaNews/idAFLDE65T2AJ20100701?sp=true | url-status=dead | archive-date=18 January 2012 | access-date=1 July 2010 | work=Reuters| date=1 July 2010}}</ref> with its capital at Arusha, Tanzania. In 2013, a protocol was signed outlining their plans for launching a [[Currency union|monetary union]] within 10 years.<ref name=MU>{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-africa-monetaryunion-idUSBRE9AT08O20131130?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews | work=Reuters| title=East African trade bloc approves monetary union deal | date=30 November 2013}}</ref> In September 2018, a committee was formed to begin the process of drafting a regional constitution.<ref name="theeastafrican.co.ke">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/ready-for-a-united-states-of-east-africa-the-wheels-are-already-turning-1403564|title=Ready for a United States of East Africa? The wheels are already turning|website=[[The EastAfrican]] |date=29 September 2018 |last=Havyarimana |first=Moses}}</ref>

{{TOC limit|3}}

==History==

=== Formation and re-formation ===

[[File:EAC presidents in November 2006.jpg|thumb|From left to right: President [[Yoweri Museveni]] of Uganda, President [[Mwai Kibaki]] of Kenya, and President [[Jakaya Kikwete]] of Tanzania during the eighth EAC summit in [[Arusha]], November 2006.]]

Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda have cooperated with each other since the early 20th century. The [[East African Currency Board]] provided a common currency from 1919 to 1966. The customs union between Kenya and Uganda in 1917, which [[Tanganyika (territory)|Tanganyika]] joined in 1927, was followed by the [[East African High Commission]] (EAHC) from 1948 to 1961, the East African Common Services Organization (EACSO) from 1961 to 1967, and the EAC<ref name="EacSite">{{cite web |url=http://www.eac.int/history.htm | title=From Co-operation to Community | website=eac.int |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080510054423/http://www.eac.int/history.htm | archive-date=10 May 2008}}</ref> from 1967 to 1977. Burundi and Rwanda joined the EAC on 6 July 2009.<ref>{{cite web | title=EAC Update E-newsletter | url=http://www.news.eac.int/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=48&Itemid=70 | work=eac.int | publisher=Directorate of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs | access-date=10 December 2011 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426042037/http://www.news.eac.int/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=48&Itemid=70 | archive-date=26 April 2012 }}</ref>

Inter-territorial co-operation between the [[Kenya Colony]], the [[Uganda Protectorate]], and the [[Tanganyika Territory]] was formalised in 1948 by the EAHC. This provided a [[customs union]], a [[common external tariff]], currency, and postage. It also dealt with common services in transport and communications, research, and education. Following independence, these integrated activities were reconstituted and the EAHC was replaced by the EACSO, which many observers thought would lead to a political federation between the three territories. The new organisation ran into difficulties because of the lack of joint planning and fiscal policy, separate political policies, and Kenya's dominant economic position. In 1967, the EACSO was superseded by the EAC. This body aimed to strengthen the ties between the members through a common market, a common customs tariff, and a range of public services to achieve balanced economic growth within the region.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/eaf-co.html |title=East African Economic Community |publisher=Crwflags.com |access-date=1 July 2010}}</ref>

In 1977, the EAC collapsed. The causes of the collapse included demands by Kenya for more seats than Uganda and Tanzania in decision-making organs,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ms.dk/sw22171.asp |title=– Born in anonymity |publisher=Ms.dk |access-date=1 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070616000742/http://www.ms.dk/sw22171.asp |archive-date=16 June 2007 }}</ref> disagreements with Ugandan dictator [[Idi Amin]] who demanded that Tanzania as a member state of the EAC should not harbour forces fighting to topple the government of another member state, and the disparate economic systems of socialism in Tanzania and capitalism in Kenya.<ref name="csmonitor_1">[https://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0309/p04s01-woaf.html?s=hns East African trade zone off to creaky start], ''Christian Science Monitor'', {{nowrap|9 March}} 2006</ref> The three member states lost over sixty years of co-operation and the benefits of [[economies of scale]], although some Kenyan government officials celebrated the collapse with champagne.<ref name="Kenya_Celebrated_Collapse">[http://allafrica.com/stories/200705170023.html We Celebrated at EAC Collapse, Says Njonjo].</ref>

Presidents [[Daniel arap Moi]] of Kenya, [[Ali Hassan Mwinyi]] of Tanzania, and [[Yoweri Kaguta Museveni]] of Uganda signed the Treaty for East African Co-operation in Kampala on {{nowrap|30 November}} 1993 and established a Tri-partite Commission for Co-operation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eac.int/about/EAC-history |title=History of the EAC |publisher=EAC |access-date=20 December 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221000114/http://www.eac.int/about/EAC-history |archive-date=21 December 2016 }}</ref> A process of re-integration was embarked on involving tripartite programs of co-operation in political, economic, social and cultural fields, research and technology, defence, security, and legal and judicial affairs.

The EAC was revived on 30 November 1999, when the treaty for its re-establishment was signed. It came into force on 7 July 2000, 23 years after the collapse of the previous community and its organs. A [[customs union]] was signed in March 2004, which commenced on 1 January 2005. Kenya, the region's largest exporter, continued to pay duties on goods entering the other four countries on a declining scale until 2010. A common system of [[tariff]]s will apply to goods imported from third-party countries.<ref>{{Citation|last=Aloo|first=Leonard Obura|title=Free Movement of Goods in the EAC|date=2017|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1163/j.ctt1w76vj2.23|work=East African Community Law|pages=303–325|editor-last=Ugirashebuja|editor-first=Emmanuel|series=Institutional, Substantive and Comparative EU Aspects|publisher=Brill |jstor=10.1163/j.ctt1w76vj2.23 |access-date=21 February 2022|editor2-last=Ruhangisa|editor2-first=John Eudes|editor3-last=Ottervanger|editor3-first=Tom|editor4-last=Cuyvers|editor4-first=Armin}}</ref> On 30 November 2016 it was declared that the immediate aim would be [[confederation]] rather than federation.<ref name="Agree to Disagree">{{cite news|url=https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/tanzania/magazines/political-reforms/finally-ea-nations-agree-to-disagree-on-federation-2574570 |title=Finally, EA nations agree to disagree on federation |newspaper=[[The Citizen (Tanzania)|The Citizen]] |date=30 November 2016 |access-date=28 May 2023}}</ref>

===South Sudan's accession===

The presidents of Kenya and Rwanda invited the [[Autonomous Government of Southern Sudan]] to apply for membership upon the independence of [[South Sudan]] in 2011,<ref name="en.igihe.com">{{cite news|url=http://en.igihe.com/spip.php?article455|agency=IGIHE|title=South Sudan: Big trading potential for EAC|date=8 July 2011|access-date=9 July 2011|archive-date=11 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111173803/http://en.igihe.com/spip.php?article455|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201107090046.html|agency=allAfrica|date=8 July 2011|access-date=9 July 2011|title=South Sudan: Rwanda Hopeful of South's Strategic Link to North Africa|first=Magnus|last=Mazimpaka}}</ref> and South Sudan was reportedly an applicant country as of mid-July 2011.<ref name="en.igihe.com"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.busiweek.com/11/editorial/editorial/1316-welcome-south-sudan-to-eac|agency=East African Business Week|title=Welcome South Sudan to EAC!|date=10 July 2011|access-date=10 July 2011|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927010848/http://www.busiweek.com/11/editorial/editorial/1316-welcome-south-sudan-to-eac|archive-date=27 September 2011}}</ref> Analysts suggested that South Sudan's early efforts to integrate infrastructure, including [[rail transport in South Sudan|rail links]] and oil pipelines,<ref>{{cite news|title=South Sudan to link to Kenya oil pipeline|url=https://af.reuters.com/article/sudanNews/idAFLAE63689720110706|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120514061706/http://af.reuters.com/article/sudanNews/idAFLAE63689720110706|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 May 2012|access-date=19 October 2011|work=Reuters|date=6 July 2011}}</ref> with systems in Kenya and Uganda indicated intention on the part of [[Juba, South Sudan|Juba]] to pivot away from dependence on [[Sudan]] and toward the EAC. [[Reuters]] considers South Sudan the likeliest candidate for EAC expansion in the short term,<ref>{{cite news|agency=DAWN|url=http://www.dawn.com/2011/07/07/south-sudan-needs-african-neighbours-to-survive.html|title=South Sudan needs African neighbours to survive|date=8 July 2011|access-date=9 July 2011}}</ref> and an article in Tanzanian daily ''[[The Citizen (Tanzania)|The Citizen]]'' that reported [[East African Legislative Assembly]] Speaker Abdirahin Haithar Abdi said South Sudan was "free to join the EAC" asserted that analysts believe the country will soon become a full member of the regional body.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://thecitizen.co.tz/news/55-east-african-news/12784-south-sudan-free-to-join-the-eac.html|agency=The Citizen|date=12 July 2011|access-date=12 July 2011|title=South Sudan 'free to join the EAC'}}{{Dead link|date=February 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

On 17 September 2011, the ''[[Daily Nation]]'' quoted a South Sudanese MP as saying that while his government was eager to join the EAC, it would likely delay its membership over concerns that its economy was not sufficiently developed to compete with EAC member states and could become a "dumping ground" for Kenyan, Tanzanian, and Ugandan exports.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nation.co.ke/News/africa/South+Sudan+delays+membership+in+regional+bloc++/-/1066/1238078/-/s3w8wbz/-/|agency=Daily Nation|first=Machel|last=Amos|title=South Sudan delays membership in regional bloc|date=17 September 2011|access-date=18 September 2011}}</ref> This was contradicted by President [[Salva Kiir Mayardit]], who announced that South Sudan had begun the application process one month later.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.busiweek.com/11/the-eac-issues/eac-news/1891-south-sudan-readies-for-eac-membership|title=South Sudan readies for EAC membership|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111021011844/http://www.busiweek.com/11/the-eac-issues/eac-news/1891-south-sudan-readies-for-eac-membership|archive-date=21 October 2011}}</ref> The application was deferred by the EAC in December 2012,<ref name=SS2EAC>{{cite news |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/africa/2013-09/10/c_132705919.htm |title=Uganda says South Sudan likely to join EAC in 2014 |agency=Xinhua News Agency |date=9 September 2013 |access-date=17 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114233621/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/africa/2013-09/10/c_132705919.htm |archive-date=14 November 2013 }}</ref> however incidents with Ugandan [[boda-boda]] operators in South Sudan have created political tension and may delay the process.<ref name=UQSS2EAC>{{cite news |url=http://www.theafricareport.com/East-Horn-Africa/ugandan-mps-oppose-south-sudan-joining-east-african-community.html |title=Ugandan MPs oppose South Sudan joining East African community |agency=The Africa Report |date=7 October 2013 |access-date=17 October 2013}}</ref>

In December 2012, Tanzania agreed to South Sudan's bid to join the EAC, clearing the way for the world's newest state to become the regional bloc's sixth member.<ref name="Tanzania warms up to South Sudan" >{{cite news |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/Tanzania-warms-up-to-South-Sudan-membership-/-/2558/1639636/-/viwjrjz/-/index.html |title=Tanzania warms up to South Sudan membership |agency=The EastAfrican |date=8 December 2012 |access-date=21 November 2013}}</ref> In May 2013 the EAC set aside $82,000 USD for the admission of South Sudan into the bloc even though admission may not happen until 2016. The process, to start after the EAC Council of Ministers meeting in August 2013, was projected to take at least four years. At the 14th Ordinary Summit held in Nairobi in 2012, EAC heads of state approved the verification report that was presented by the Council of Ministers, then directed it to start the negotiation process with South Sudan.<ref name="EAC prepares to admit South Sudan" >{{cite news |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/EAC-prepares-to-admit-South-Sudan--/-/2558/1849526/-/ao63gfz/-/index.html |title=EAC prepares to admit South Sudan |agency=The EastAfrican |date=11 May 2013 |access-date=21 November 2013 |archive-date=12 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200212141817/https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/EAC-prepares-to-admit-South-Sudan--/-/2558/1849526/-/ao63gfz/-/index.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

A team was formed to assess South Sudan's bid; however, in April 2014, the nation requested a delay in the admissions process, presumably due to [[South Sudanese conflict (2013–2014)|ongoing internal conflict]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201312051231.html|title=allAfrica.com: East Africa: EAC to Decide On South Sudan Admission by April 2014|work=allAfrica.com|access-date=9 May 2015}}</ref><ref name=observer>{{cite web|title=South Sudan defers EAC admission|url=http://www.observer.ug/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=31578:-south-sudan-defers-eac-admission&catid=34:news&Itemid=114|work=The Observer|date=5 May 2014|publisher=Observer Media Ltd.|access-date=11 May 2014|archive-date=12 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512222918/http://www.observer.ug/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=31578:-south-sudan-defers-eac-admission&catid=34:news&Itemid=114|url-status=dead}}</ref>

South Sudan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Barnaba Marial Benjamin, claimed publicly in October 2015 that, following evaluations and meetings of a special technical committee in May, June, August, September and October, the committee has recommended that South Sudan be allowed to join the East African Community. Those recommendations, however, had not been released to the public. It was reported that South Sudan could be admitted as early as November 2015 when the heads of East African States had their summit meeting.<ref>{{Cite news |title=S. Sudan's push to join EAC gains momentum |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/s-sudan-s-push-to-join-eac-gains-momentum--1347082 |date=7 November 2015 |work=[[The EastAfrican]]|access-date=14 November 2015}}</ref>

South Sudan was eventually approved for membership to the bloc in March 2016,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nation.co.ke/business/South-Sudan-admitted-into-EAC/-/996/3100314/-/6t0bfiz/-/index.html |title=South Sudan admitted into EAC |work=[[Daily Nation]] |date=2 March 2016 |access-date=4 March 2016 }}</ref> and signed a treaty of accession in April 2016.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.eac.int/news-and-media/statements/20160415/communique-signing-ceremony-treaty-accession-republic-south-sudan-east-african-community|title=Communiqué: signing ceremony of the treaty of accession of the Republic of South Sudan into the East African Community|date=15 April 2016|access-date=15 April 2016|publisher=East African Community|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424032901/http://www.eac.int/news-and-media/statements/20160415/communique-signing-ceremony-treaty-accession-republic-south-sudan-east-african-community|archive-date=24 April 2016}}</ref> It had six months to ratify the agreement, which it did on 5 September, at which point it formally acceded to the community.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.eac.int/news-and-media/press-releases/20160509/germany-ambassador-pays-courtesy-call-eac-secretary-general|title=Germany Ambassador pays courtesy call on EAC Secretary General|date=9 May 2016|access-date=1 June 2016|publisher=East African Community|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624065104/http://www.eac.int/news-and-media/press-releases/20160509/germany-ambassador-pays-courtesy-call-eac-secretary-general|archive-date=24 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|url=http://eac.int/news-and-media/press-releases/20160905/republic-south-sudan-deposits-instruments-ratification-accession-treaty-establishment-east-african|title=Republic of South Sudan deposits Instruments of Ratification on the accession of the Treaty for the establishment of the East African Community to the Secretary General|date=5 September 2016|access-date=5 September 2016|publisher=East African Community|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911153529/http://www.eac.int/news-and-media/press-releases/20160905/republic-south-sudan-deposits-instruments-ratification-accession-treaty-establishment-east-african|archive-date=11 September 2016}}</ref> It does not yet participate to the same extent as the other members.<ref name="Agree to Disagree"/>{{Clarify timeframe|date=June 2023}}

=== Democratic Republic of the Congo's accession ===

In 2010, Tanzanian officials expressed interest in inviting the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo|DR Congo]] to join the East African Community. The DRC applied for admission to the EAC in June 2019.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |title=DR Congo seeks to join EAC |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/ea/DR-Congo-seeks-to-join--East-African-Community/4552908-5157244-rldjtsz/index.html |access-date=1 August 2019 |work=[[The EastAfrican]] |language=en}}</ref> In June 2021, the EAC Summit launched a verification mission to assess the suitability of the DRC for admission to the Community, and has since drafted a report on their findings which is ready for submission to the EAC Council of Ministers.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kuteesa |first1=Hudson |date=11 August 2021 |title=East Africa: Report on DR Congo Admission to EAC AwaitsMinisterial Decision |publisher=allAfrica |url=https://allafrica.com/stories/202108120674.html |access-date=7 September 2021}}</ref> On 23 November 2021: Ministers in charge of East African Community (EAC) Affairs have recommended for consideration by the EAC Heads of States the report of the verification team on the application by The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to join the Community.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=EAC Council of Ministers green-light Report on DRC Verification Mission for consideration by EAC Heads of State |url=https://www.eac.int/press-releases/2288-eac-council-of-ministers-green-light-report-on-drc-verification-mission-for-consideration-by-eac-heads-of-state|publisher=East African Community}}</ref> In February 2022, the EAC Council of Ministers recommended that the DRC be admitted as a new member state of the EAC.<ref>{{cite press release |date=9 February 2022 |title=Democratic Republic of Congo inches closer to joining EAC |url=https://www.eac.int/press-releases/151-international-relations/2373-democratic-republic-of-congo-inches-closer-to-joining-eac |publisher=East African Community |access-date=12 February 2022}}</ref> On 18 March 2022, the EAC Secretary-General [[Peter Mathuki]] confirmed that the Heads of State would approve the admission on 29 March 2022.<ref>{{Cite news|title=DR Congo to join EAC next week|date=21 March 2022|last=Anami|first=Luke|url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/dr-congo-to-join-eac-next-week-3755684 |access-date=25 March 2022 |website=[[The EastAfrican]]}}</ref> The Democratic Republic of the Congo was admitted as a member of the EAC on 29 March 2022, at a virtual Head of State summit chaired by Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya,<ref name="InR">{{cite news |first=Luke|last=Anami |date=29 March 2022 |title=DR Congo joins East African bloc |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/dr-congo-joins-east-african-bloc-3764212 |access-date=29 March 2022 |work=[[The EastAfrican]] |location=Nairobi, Kenya}}</ref> and officially became a member of the East African Community on 11 July 2022 after depositing the instrument of ratification with the EAC Secretary General at the bloc's headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. The accession of the DRC gives the EAC its first port on the [[West Africa]]n coast.

=== Somalia's accession ===

Representatives of Somalia applied for membership in the EAC in March 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 March 2012 |title=Somalia applies to join EAC bloc » Capital News |url=https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2012/03/somalia-applies-to-join-eac-bloc/ |access-date=20 August 2023 |website=Capital News |language=en-US}}</ref> The application was considered by the EAC Heads of State in December 2012, which requested that the EAC Council work with Somalia to verify their application.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 April 2015 |title= Communiqué of the 14th ordinary summit of EAC heads of state|url=http://www.news.eac.int/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_view&gid=316&Itemid=77 |access-date=20 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402124601/http://www.news.eac.int/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_view&gid=316&Itemid=77 |archive-date=2 April 2015 }}</ref> In February 2015, the EAC again deliberated on the matter but deferred a decision as verification had not yet started nor had preparations with the Somali government been finalised.<ref>{{Cite web |work=[[Daily Nation]] |date=11 February 2020 |title=Not yet, S. Sudan and Somalia told by East Africa Community |url=https://mobile.nation.co.ke/news/East-Africa-Community-Summit-Nairobi-South-Sudan-Somalia/-/1950946/2630646/-/format/xhtml/-/njui1j/-/index.html |access-date=20 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200211193530/https://mobile.nation.co.ke/news/East-Africa-Community-Summit-Nairobi-South-Sudan-Somalia/-/1950946/2630646/-/format/xhtml/-/njui1j/-/index.html |archive-date=11 February 2020 }}</ref> During the 22nd Ordinary EAC Heads of State Summit on 22 July 2022, the EAC Heads of State, noted that the verification process for Somalia to join the community needs to be completed expeditiously.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Communiqué of the 22nd ordinary summit of the East African Community heads of state |url=https://www.eac.int/communique/2537-communiqu%C3%A9-of-the-22nd-ordinary-summit-of-the-east-african-community-heads-of-state |access-date=20 August 2023 |publisher=East African Community}}</ref> In 2023, East African Community (EAC) Secretary-General Peter Mathuki said Somalia had made a critical step towards becoming the eighth member of the bloc, with negotiations on admission set to last from 22 August to 5 September.<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 August 2023 |title=Somalia set to join EAC this year, says Sec-Gen Mathuki |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/somalia-set-to-join-eac-this-year-says-sec-gen-mathuki-4340216 |access-date=20 August 2023 |work=[[The EastAfrican]] |language=en}}</ref> Somalia was formally invited to join on 24 November 2023 during the 23rd ordinary summit of the heads of state, following a five-hour closed-door meeting.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/somalia-officially-admitted-into-eac-4444168 |title=Somalia officially admitted into EAC |author=Vincent Owino |work=[[The EastAfrican]] |date=24 November 2023 |access-date=24 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.eac.int/press-releases/2977-east-african-community-continues-on-a-trajectory-of-expansion-as-summit-admits-somalia-into-the-bloc|title=East African Community continues on a trajectory of expansion as Summit admits Somalia into the bloc|date=2023-11-25|accessdate=2023-12-27|publisher=East African Community}}</ref> The treaty of accession was signed on 15 December 2023 at the presidential residence in [[Kampala|Kampala, Uganda]], with Somalia having 6 months to complete its ratification of the treaty after which it would officially become a member.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.eac.int/press-releases/2989-somali-to-sign-treaty-of-accession-with-the-east-african-community-today|title=Somali to sign Treaty of Accession with the East African Community today|date=15 December 2023|accessdate=17 December 2023|publisher=East African Community}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |first=Bashir Mohamed|last=Caato|date=29 November 2023 |title=Somalia has joined the EAC regional bloc. What happens next? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2023/11/29/somalia-has-joined-the-eac-regional-bloc-what-happens-next |work=[[Al Jazeera English]]}}</ref> On February 10, 2024, Somalia's Parliament endorsed the treaty of accession.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/somalia-close-to-formalise-eac-membership-4522634|title=Somalia close to formalise EAC membership|work=[[The EastAfrican]]|date=12 February 2024}}</ref> Somalia deposited its instruments of ratification on 4 March 2024, thus becoming the eighth member of the organisation.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2024/03/somalia-deposits-ratification-instrument-with-eac-sg/ |title=Somalia Deposits Ratification Instrument With EAC SG|date=4 March 2024|website=Capital News}}</ref>

==Partner states==

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:right"
|+ Overview of partner states in the East African Community
|-
! scope="col" | Country
! scope="col" | Capital
! scope="col" | Acces&shy;sion
! scope="col" | Popula&shy;tion<ref name="CIAPop" />
! scope="col" | Area (km<sup>2</sup>)
! scope="col" | GDP<br />(US${{nbsp}}bn)<ref name="imf" />
! scope="col" | GDP<br />per capita<br />(US$)
! scope="col" | GDP PPP<br />(US${{nbsp}}bn)<ref name="imf" />
! scope="col" | GDP PPP<br />per capita<br />(US$)
|-
| scope="row" style="text-align:left" | {{Flag|Burundi}}
| style="text-align:left" | [[Gitega]]
| style="text-align:center" | 2007 || {{Nts|13590102}} || {{Nts|27834}}
| 3.075 || {{Nts|226.27}}|| 12.241 || 900.73
|-
| scope="row" style="text-align:left" | {{Flag|DR Congo}}
| style="text-align:left" | [[Kinshasa]]
| style="text-align:center" | 2022 || {{Nts| 115403027 }}
| {{Nts|2344858}}|| 73.761 || 639.16|| 160.197
|{{Nts|1388.15}}
|-
| scope="row" style="text-align:left" | {{Flag|Kenya}}
| style="text-align:left" | [[Nairobi]]
| style="text-align:center" | 2000 || {{Nts|58246378}} || {{Nts|580367}}
| 104.001 || {{Nts|1785.54}}|| 365.854 || {{Nts| 6281.15}}
|-
| scope="row" style="text-align:left" | {{Flag|Rwanda}}
| style="text-align:left" | [[Kigali]]
| style="text-align:center" | 2007 || {{Nts|13623302}} || {{Nts|26338}}
| 13.701 || {{Nts|1005.70}}|| 46.658 || {{Nts|3424.87}}
|-

| scope="row" style="text-align:left" | {{Flag|Somalia}}
| style="text-align:left" | [[Mogadishu]]
| style="text-align:center" | 2024 || {{Nts| 13017273}} || {{Nts|637,657}}
| 12.804 || 983.62 || 34.027 || {{Nts|2613.99}}
|-
| scope="row" style="text-align:left" | {{Flag|South Sudan}}
| style="text-align:left" | [[Juba]]
| style="text-align:center" | 2016 || {{Nts|12703714}} || {{Nts|644329}}
| 6.517 || 513.00 || 7.031 || 553.46
|-
| scope="row" style="text-align:left" | {{Flag|Tanzania}}
| style="text-align:left" | [[Dodoma]]
| style="text-align:center" | 2000 || {{Nts|67462121}} || {{Nts|945087}}
| 79.605 || {{Nts|1180.00}}|| 244.363 || {{Nts| 3622.23}}
|-
| scope="row" style="text-align:left" | {{Flag|Uganda}}
| style="text-align:left" | [[Kampala]]
| style="text-align:center" | 2000 || {{Nts|49283041}} || {{Nts|241550}}
| 56.310 || {{Nts|1142.58}}|| 156.696 || {{Nts| 3179.51}}
|-
! colspan="3" |
! style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|343328958}} !! style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|5448020}}
! style="text-align:right" | 349.774 !! style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|1018.77}}
! style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|1027.067}} !! style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|2991.50}}
|}

===Potential expansion===

====Comoros====

In July 2023 Kenyan President [[William Ruto]] raised the idea of [[Comoros]] joining the EAC while signing an agreement for deeper bilateral cooperation between Kenya and Comoros. Comoros and existing member Tanzania have a maritime border.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/ruto-woos-comoros-to-join-eac-4297102 |title=Ruto woos Comoros to join EAC in quest for expanded bloc |author=Aggrey Mutambo |work=The EastAfrican |date=8 July 2023 |access-date=12 July 2023}}</ref>

====Djibouti====

With Somalia set to join the group in October 2023, Secretary General Peter Mathuki stated, “The vision of our leaders is to have a market of 800 million people. And that will be possible if we integrate all the countries in the horn of Africa and make one huge market,” hinting of the possible accession of [[Djibouti]] and [[Ethiopia]].<ref name="Said">{{Cite web |last=Qorro |first=Edward |date=5 October 2023 |title=Ethiopia, Djibouti to join EAC |work=[[Daily News (Tanzania)|Daily News]] |url=https://dailynews.co.tz/ethiopia-djibouti-to-join-eac/ |access-date=10 October 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref>

====Ethiopia====

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta proposed expanding the EAC to include Central, Northern, and Southern African states, such as Ethiopia.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 September 2021 |title=Kenyatta's EAC agenda: Admit more countries to regional bloc |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/kenyatta-eac-agenda-more-countries-to-regional-bloc-3539602 |access-date=25 March 2022 |website=The East African |language=en}}</ref> The potential joining of Ethiopia into the EAC would bring the population to approximately 460 million.<ref name = CIAPop /> Speaking at the opening of the One Stop Border post in Moyale in 2020, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia affirmed his commitment to regional integration saying that the east African people are one people and economic integration is a key goal for the region to achieve so as to unlock its potential.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kenya's Uhuru & Ethiopia's Abiy Open Moyale One-Stop Border Post – Taarifa Rwanda |date=9 December 2020 |url=https://taarifa.rw/kenyas-uhuru-ethiopias-abiy-open-moyale-one-stop-border-post/ |access-date=8 April 2022 |language=en-US |archive-date=31 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531151945/https://taarifa.rw/kenyas-uhuru-ethiopias-abiy-open-moyale-one-stop-border-post/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Ethiopia PM Abiy Ahmed speech at the new Lamu Port in Lamu County | date=9 December 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nf_Tnd2Vl4A |language=en |access-date=8 April 2022}}</ref> With other horn of Africa countries like Somalia joining the EAC and the opening up of Ethiopia's sectors such as banking and telecommunications to the private sector, being part of the EAC could soon become a priority to accelerate economic gains.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://kenyanwallstreet.com/ethiopia-has-two-state-owned-banks-as-well-as-16-private-local-banks-and-will-soon-open-up-the-sector-to-foreign-banks-similar-to-what-it-has-done-for-the-telecoms-sector/ | title=Ethiopia to Open up its Banking Sector to Foreign Competition – Kenyan Wallstreet | date=23 March 2022 }}</ref> In April 2023, Secretary General Peter Mathuki suggested the EAC should consider admitting Ethiopia following Somalia's accession.<ref>{{Cite interview |title=Peter Mathuki: Why we want Addis to join EAC after Somalia |last=Mathuki |first=Peter |interviewer=Jackson Mutinda |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/mathuki-after-somalia-we-want-addis-to-join-eac-4181390 |date=1 April 2023 |access-date=12 July 2024 |work=[[The East African]]}}</ref> On 8 April 2024, Ministry of EAC Arid and Semi-arid Lands and Regional Development Cabinet Secretary [[Peninah Malonza]] claimed the EAC and Ethiopia were in the final stages of negotiation for admission into the bloc.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ethiopia set to join EAC, CS Malonza says |url=https://www.kbc.co.ke/ethiopia-set-to-join-eac-cs-malonza-says/ |last= |date=8 April 2024 |access-date=15 June 2024 |work=KBC}}</ref> This was later contradicted by [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ethiopia)|Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] spokesperson Nebiu Tedla who said that Ethiopia had made no request to join the EAC and that "the information is baseless."<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ethiopia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Refutes Reports of Joining EAC |url=https://kenyanwallstreet.com/ethiopias-ministry-of-foreign-affairs-refutes-reports-of-joining-eac/ |last=Barden |first=Andrew |date=12 April 2024 |access-date=12 July 2024 |work=The Kenyan Wall Street}}</ref>

====Malawi====

In 2010, Tanzanian officials expressed interest in inviting [[Malawi]] to join the EAC. Former Malawian Foreign Affairs Minister [[Etta Banda]] said, however, that there were no formal negotiations taking place concerning Malawian membership.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bnltimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2596&Itemid=26 |title=Daily Times {{pipe}} Malawi News {{pipe}} Sunday Times {{pipe}} The Weekend Times |work=The BNL Times|date=11 March 2010 |access-date=1 July 2010 |archive-date=10 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310034828/http://www.bnltimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2596&Itemid=26 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

====Sudan====
[[Sudan]] applied to join the EAC in 2011, with Burundi, Kenya, and Rwanda supporting membership, while Tanzania and Uganda were opposed to it. They contended that because of the Sudan's lack of a direct border with the EAC at the time, its allegedly discriminatory actions toward [[black people|black Africans]], its record of human rights violations, and its history of hostilities with both South Sudan and Uganda, Sudan was ineligible to join and their application was rejected in December 2012.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/EAC+split+on+Khartoum+s+bid+to+join+community+/-/2558/1238324/-/1j8q1jz/-/|work=The EastAfrican|title=EAC split on Khartoum's bid to join community|date=18 September 2011|access-date=18 September 2011|first=Adam|last=Ihucha}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://focus.rw/wp/2011/12/why-sudan’s-eac-application-was-rejected/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130705033157/http://focus.rw/wp/2011/12/why-sudan%E2%80%99s-eac-application-was-rejected/|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 July 2013|title=Why Sudan's EAC application was rejected|date=5 December 2011|access-date=4 July 2013}}</ref>

== EAC Organs ==
The Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community established seven EAC Organs to perform the functions of the community.

=== The Summit ===
{|class="wikitable floatright
|-
!Period
!Chairman
|-
|2012–2013
|{{flagicon|Uganda}} [[Yoweri Museveni]]
|-
|2013–2015
|{{flagicon|Kenya}} [[Uhuru Kenyatta]]
|-
|2015–2017
|{{Flagicon|Tanzania}} [[John Magufuli]]
|-
|2017–2019
|{{Flagicon|Uganda}} [[Yoweri Museveni]]
|-
|2019–2021
|{{Flagicon|Rwanda}} [[Paul Kagame]]
|-
|2021–2022
|{{flagicon|Kenya}} [[Uhuru Kenyatta]]
|-
|2022–2023
|{{flagicon|Burundi}} [[Évariste Ndayishimiye]]
|-
|2023–2024
|{{flagicon|South Sudan}} [[Salva Kiir Mayardit]]
|-
|2024-Present
|{{flagicon|Kenya}} [[William Ruto]] 
|}

The Summit consists of the heads of state of each individual member country. The Summit gives "strategic direction towards the realisation of the goal and objectives of the Community," and convenes once per year, with additional meetings at request of any member of the Summit. The Summit's decisions are arrived at by [[Consensus decision-making|consensus]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=20 August 2007 |orig-date=30 November 1999; amended later |title=The Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community |url=https://www.eala.org/uploads/The_Treaty_for_the_Establishment_of_the_East_Africa_Community_2006_1999.pdf |access-date=7 June 2024 |publisher=East African Legislative Assembly}}</ref> The Chairperson of the Summit's tenure is one year and is in rotation from among the partner states. At Summit meetings, the Summit reviews annual progress reports and other reports from the Council. The summit appoints East African Court of Justice judges, assents to bills, and admits new member or observer states. The Summit may delegate many but not all of its powers to lower organs at the discretion of the Summit. The President of Kenya, [[William Ruto]], serves as the current EAC Summit Chairperson.<ref name=":1">{{cite web |title=Veronica Nduva sworn in as EAC Secretary-General |url=https://www.eac.int/press-releases/3110-new-eac-secretary-general-sworn-in-at-state-house-in-juba,-south-sudan |access-date=7 June 2024 |website=eac.int}}</ref>

=== The Council ===
The Council consists of the Minister responsible for EAC affairs of each member State, any other Minister of the member state the member state elects; and the [[Attorney general|Attorney General]] of each Partner State. The Council meets twice a year, one time directly after the Summit and once later in the year.<ref name=":2" /> The Council can also meet at the request of the Council Chairperson or member state. The Council main function is to implement decisions made by the Summit. The Council initiates and submits Bills to the Assembly, gives directions to the Partner States, and makes regulations, issues directives, and makes recommendations to all other organs (except the Summit, the Court, and the Assembly).<ref name=":2" /> The Council also can establish Sectoral Committees from amongst its members to implement specific directives. [[Deng Alor Kuol]], the Minister for East African Community Affairs in South Sudan, is the current Chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers.<ref name=":0" /> This position of Lead Council Chairperson is elected by the Head of State, and is replaced annually.<ref name=":2" />

=== The Coordination Committee ===

The Co-ordination Committee consists of the Permanent Secretaries of EAC affairs in each member state and any other Permanent Secretaries as determined by the member state. The Coordination Committee meets at least twice a year preceding the meetings of the Council. The Coordination Committee implements the directives decided by the Council and recommends the creation of Sectoral Committees to the Council.<ref name=":2" /> The current acting Principal Secretary of the Coordinating Committee is Dr. [[Kevit Desai]] of Kenya.<ref name=":1022" />

=== East African Court of Justice ===
{{main|East African Court of Justice}}
The East African Court of Justice (EACJ) is the judicial arm of the community and consists of the First Instance Division and an [[Appellate court|Appellate Division]]. The Judges are appointed by the Summit from candidates recommended by the member states provided there are no more than two judges of a member state on the First Instance Division and no more than one judge of a member state on the Appellate Division.<ref name=":2" /> The court is composed of a maximum of fifteen judges with no more than ten of the First Instance Division and no more than five of the Appellate Division. Each Judge may serve for no more than seven years and holds office until that period expires, death, reaching seventy years-of-age, or removal for misconduct by the Summit after deliberation from a tribunal, bankruptcy, or conviction.<ref name=":2" /> Upon suspension, the judge's member state recommends a qualified candidate for appointment to temporary judge. If a judge has a [[Conflict of interest|conflict-of-interest]], they are to report to their higher-up for deliberation on their ability to fairly judge.<ref name=":2" /> The court has jurisdiction over cases involving interpretation and application of the treaty, other jurisdiction as designated by the Summit, member states that consider another member state or EAC Organ to have failed obligations under the treaty, and disputes between the EAC and its employees.<ref name=":2" /> The Summit, the Council, or a Partner State may also request the Court to give an advisory opinion on an issue regarding the Treaty. Currently, the court meets on a quarterly basis — the First Instance Division four times a year and the Appellate Division four times a year. This sparse schedule caused by budgetary issues has created a backlog of 260 cases.<ref name=":9">{{Cite news |last=Anami |first=Luke |date=27 April 2025 |title=Broke EAC grapples with financial and staffing crisis |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/broke-eac-grapples-with-financial-and-staffing-crisis-5017650 |access-date=28 May 2024 |work=[[The EastAfrican]]}}</ref>

=== East African Legislative Assembly ===
{{main|East African Legislative Assembly}}
[[File:East African Legislative Assembly.jpg|left|thumb|The 2010 East African Legislative Assembly hosting the International Military HIV/AIDS Conference]]
The [[East African Legislative Assembly]] (EALA) is the legislative arm of the community. The EALA has 27 members who are all elected by the National Assemblies or Parliaments of the member states of the community.<ref name=":2" /> The EALA has oversight functions on all matters that fall within the community's work and its functions include debating and approving the budget of the community, discussing all matters pertaining to the community and making recommendations to the council as it may deem necessary for the implementation of the treaty, liaising with National Assemblies or Parliaments on matters pertaining to the community and establishing committees for such purposes as it deems necessary.<ref name=":2" /> The Assemblypersons have a term of five years and a term limit of two. The EALA meets at least once a year and since being inaugurated in 2001, the EALA has had several sittings as a [[Plenary session|plenum]] in Arusha, Kampala, and Nairobi. Any member may introduce a bill and upon a simple majority vote, the bill proceeds to the Heads of State in which if any Head of State declines to assent within three months, the bill heads back to the EALA for editing.<ref name=":2" />

The assembly has been credited with crucial bills, particularly those regarding regional and international trade, including EAC's stand on issues such as the [[World Trade Organization]] and transport on [[Lake Victoria]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Removal of NTBs top priority for EAC |url=http://www.eala.org/new/magazine/file |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305050628/http://www.eala.org/new/magazine/file |archive-date=5 March 2016 |access-date=23 December 2015}} [PDF]</ref>

As of August 2024, the Speaker of the Assembly is [[Dan Kidega]] from Uganda. He replaced former Speaker of the Assembly and Ugandan MP [[Margaret Zziwa]] after her impeachment.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

The EALA is on an indefinite break since July 2025 due to lack of budget.<ref name=":10">{{Cite news |last=Mollel |first=Bertha |date=16 July 2025 |title=Eala goes on indefinite break after passing $109m budget |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/eala-goes-on-break-after-passing-109m-budget-5120528 |access-date=10 August 2025 |work=The [[EastAfrican]]}}</ref>

=== The Secretariat ===
{{See also|List of secretaries general of the East African Community}}
{|class="wikitable floatright"
!Period
!Secretary-General
|-
|2000–2001 
|{{flagicon|Kenya}} [[Francis Muthaura]]
|-
|2001–2006
|{{flagicon|Uganda}} [[Amanya Mushega]]
|-
|2006–2011
|{{flagicon|Tanzania}} [[Juma Mwapachu]]
|-
|2011–2016
|{{flagicon|Rwanda}} [[Richard Sezibera]]
|-
|2016–2021
|{{flagicon|Burundi}} [[Libérat Mfumukeko]]
|-
|2021–2024
|{{flagicon|Kenya}} [[Peter Mathuki]]
|-
|2024–present
|{{flagicon|Kenya}} [[Veronica Nduva]]
|}
The Secretariat is the executive organ of the EAC. The highest office of the Secretariat is the Secretary General. The Secretary General is appointed by the summit upon nomination by the current rotational head of state and serves one five-year fixed term.<ref name=":2" /> The Secretariat also contains the offices of the Deputy Secretaries General appointed by the Summit and under the purview of the Secretary General. The Secretariat's principle function is the implementation of the decisions of the Summit and the Council with other functions including research on best methods to achieve the EAC treaty's goals, management of funds, and investigation of EAC affairs.<ref name=":2" /> [[Veronica Nduva]] is the current Secretary General of the EAC,<ref name=":1" /> having been appointed 7 June 2024 following Kenya's recall of former EAC Secretary-General Peter Mathuki for alleged misallocation of six million in funds from the Peace Fund at the Secretariat.<ref name=":322">{{Cite web |title=Peter Mathuki recalled |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/news/peter-mathuki-recalled-from-post-as-secretary-general-of-east-african-community-4561812 |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=Nation|date=19 March 2024 }}</ref>

=== EAC Institutions ===

There are eight current Heads of EAC Institutions. [[Vivienne Yeda Apopo]] of Zambia is the current acting Director-General of East African Economic Development and has had this position since 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ms Vivienne Yeda Apopo |url=https://www.eac.int/profiles/53-50-737-ms-vivienne-yeda-apopo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220429045801/https://www.eac.int/profiles/53-50-737-ms-vivienne-yeda-apopo |archive-date=29 April 2022 |access-date=2022-04-29 |website=eac.int}}</ref> Dr. Novat Twungubumwe of Burundi is the current acting Attorney General and Executive Secretary East African Health Research Commission.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dr Novat Twungubumwe {{!}} EA Health |url=https://www.eahealth.org/dr-novat-twungubumwe |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220523084411/https://www.eahealth.org/dr-novat-twungubumwe |archive-date=23 May 2022 |access-date=2022-04-29 |website=eahealth.org}}</ref> Dr. Sylvance Okeyo Okoth is the Executive Secretary of the East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Message from Executive Secretary |url=https://easteco.org/about-easteco/executive-secretary-message/ | access-date=15 June 2024 |website=eac.int}}</ref> Dr. [[Caroline Asiimwe]] of Uganda is the serving Executive Secretary of the East African Kiswahili Commission.<ref name=":1022">{{Cite web |title=EAC Organs |url=https://www.eac.int/eac-organs |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512090152/https://www.eac.int/eac-organs#:~:text=The%20main%20Organs%20of%20the,Legislative%20Assembly%20and%20the%20Secretariat. |archive-date=12 May 2022 |access-date=15 June 2024 |website=eac.int}}</ref> Prof. [[Gaspard Banyankimbona]] of Uganda is the serving Executive Secretary of the Inter-University Council for East Africa.<ref name=":1022" /> Eng. Richard Gatete of Rwanda is the serving executive director of the Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency.<ref name=":1022" /> Lilian K. Mukoronia of Kenya is the acting Registrar of the East African Community Competition Authority.<ref name=":1022" /> Dr. Masinde K. Bwire is the serving Executive Secretary
Lake Victoria Basin Commission.<ref name=":1022" />

== Issues ==

=== Support ===

An EAC political union committee conducted a study on the support for the planned political union in the then-five member states from 2007 to 2009. Except for Tanzania, these committees found that the majority of their populations were in favour of further integration. While the committee continued to study integration until 2012, enthusiasm for the idea waned.<ref name="Apuuli2023">{{Citation |author=Kasaija Phillip Apuuli | title=A Search for Political Integration in East Africa Community (EAC) |journal=GGW Africa Symposia Issue |volume=1 |date=1 June 2023 |url=https://goodgovernanceworldwide.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/05.22.23-Symposia-GGW-A.pdf#page=244}}</ref>{{rp|13.9–13.10}}

{| class="wikitable sortable floatright"
|+EAC Helpfulness (2014-15 Survey)
!Country
!EAC<br />"helps<br />a lot"
!EAC<br />"helps <br />some-<br />what"
!EAC<br />"helps<br />a<br /> little"
!EAC<br />does<br />nothing
!Don't<br />know
|-
|[[Uganda]]
|20%
|21%
|15%
|7%
|37%
|-
|[[Kenya]]
|16%
|28%
|27%
|8%
|20%
|-
|[[Tanzania]]
|16%
|28%
|13%
|16%
|28%
|}

Surveying of Tanzania in 2012 by independent research group [[Afrobarometer]] revealed that 70% of Tanzanians approved of free movement of people, goods, and services.<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal |last=Knowles |first=Josie |date=July 2014 |title=East African Federation: Tanzanian Awareness of Economic and Political Integration Remains Poor, But There Is Growing Support for Political Links |url=https://www.afrobarometer.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/afrobriefno146.pdf |journal=[[Afrobarometer]] |issue=146}}</ref> Meanwhile, 55% of Tanzanians approve the customs union and 54% approve of the proposed monetary union.<ref name=":3" /> On all three issues, share of people answering "Don't Know" has more than halved since 2008 indicating higher rates of civic engagement on EAC issues.<ref name=":3" /> Approval of a joint army went from 26% in 2008 to 38% in 2012, with the majority (53%) still disapproving.<ref name=":3" /> In Kenya, approval for the free movement of people, goods, and services was at 52% as of 2021.<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal |last1=Kaburu |first1=Mercy |last2=Logan |first2=Carolyn |date=23 August 2022 |title=Integrating states or integrating people? Kenyans have not heard much about the proposed East African Federation |url=https://www.afrobarometer.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/AD544-East-African-Federation-faces-limited-awareness-and-support-in-Kenya-Afrobarometer-23aug22.pdf |journal=[[Afrobarometer]] |issue=544}}</ref> Support for the monetary union sat at 49%, with 44% disapproving.<ref name=":4" /> 65% of those with no lived poverty approved of the free movement policy while only 44% of those with high lived poverty supported it.<ref name=":4" /> Surveying in May 2015 in Uganda found that 69% support free movement across borders in the region.<ref name=":5">{{Cite journal |last1=Olapade |first1=Markus |last2=Selormey |first2=Edem E. |last3=Gninafon |first3=Horace |date=25 May 2016 |title=Regional integration for Africa: Could stronger public support turn 'rhetoric into reality'? |url=https://www.afrobarometer.org/wp-content/uploads/migrated/files/publications/Dispatches/ab_r6_dispatchno91_regional_integration_in_africa_en.pdf |journal=[[Afrobarometer]] |issue=91}}</ref> In Burundi, 64% supported free movement among the region.<ref name=":5" /> A combined 56% of Ugandans thought the EAC "helps a lot", "helps somewhat", or "helps a little" in their country.<ref name=":5" /> 71% of Kenyans thought the EAC helps in some capacity while 57% of Tanzanians thought the EAC helps in some capacity.<ref name=":5" />{{refn|Survey does not include option for "EAC harms"|name=survey|group=note}}

Awareness of EAC Organs in Kenya is low; 43% had heard nothing of the EALA, with only 29% hearing "some" or "a great deal".<ref name=":4" /> 47% of Kenyans said that their EALA representatives should be elected directly instead of elected by the [[Kenyan Parliament]].<ref name=":4" />

Much of the support for East African integration comes from the national elites. Old enough to remember the former EAC, many are nostalgic for that period of East African politics and regret its eventual dissolution.<ref name="ODI">David Booth, Diana Cammack, Thomas Kibua and Josaphat Kwek (2007) [http://www.odi.org/sites/odi.org.uk/files/odi-assets/publications-opinion-files/126.pdf East African integration: How can it contribute to East African development?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923192842/https://www.odi.org/sites/odi.org.uk/files/odi-assets/publications-opinion-files/126.pdf |date=23 September 2020 }} [[Overseas Development Institute]]</ref> However, 61% of the 18-25 demographic supported free movement in Kenya while only 43% of the 46-55 demographic supported it.<ref name=":4" /> This could be due to a growing sense of East African identity in the youth developing from modern communications.<ref name="ODI" /> The group with highest support for free movement in Kenya was those with [[Tertiary education|post-secondary education]], with 73% supporting.<ref name=":4" />

=== Budget deficit ===
The EAC is critically underfunded due to defaulting member states. Kenya, Tanzania and Somalia are the only member states to not have any standing debt. Uganda has paid 99% of its remittance. All other member states have significant [[arrears]] of some kind: as of April 2025, the DRC owes US$20.7 million, Burundi US$16 million, South Sudan US$15.1 million, Rwanda $2 million.<ref name=":9" /> The DRC which, despite accessing in 2019, had yet to remit a cent until it remitted US$1 million to the EAC in 2024.<ref name="debt2">{{Cite news |last=Anami |first=Luke |date=25 November 2024 |title=EAC@25: Broke bloc trudges on, celebrating trade wins |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/business-tech/broke-bloc-trudges-on-celebrating-trade-wins-4833306 |access-date=4 December 2024 |work=The [[EastAfrican]]}}</ref> In the 2023–24 fiscal year, arrears amounted to over US$35 million.<ref name=budget/> Reasons for these arrears are primarily due to two factors: 
* Failure to enforce contributions via sanctions outlined in the treaty
* Member states's contributions to the budget are equal despite their varying sizes and GDPs
The equal-share model was adopted when the EAC comprised only Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, however beginning with the accession of Rwanda and Burundi and accelerated by the accession of South Sudan and the DRC, the equal-contribution model became no longer be sustainable.<ref name=full-tray>{{Cite news |title=Nduva hits the ground running, but she has a full in-tray at EAC headquarters |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/news/africa/nduva-hits-the-ground-running-but-she-has-a-full-in-tray-4651094 |last=Anami |first=Luke |date=8 June 2024 |access-date=9 July 2024 |work=[[Daily Nation]]}}</ref> EALA Chairperson of the Budget Committee [[Ken Mukulia]] suggested amendments to the EAC legal instruments to distribute power according to size of contribution should accompany the new financing model.<ref name=full-tray/> Additionally, auctioning stranded goods in the ports of [[Dar es Salaam]] and [[Mombasa]] slated for the three major defaulters has been suggested as a method of paying off their debt.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Here's how to deal with EAC's defaulters, DR Congo, South Sudan and Burundi |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/oped/comment/here-s-how-to-deal-with-eac-s-defaulters-4651226 |last=Onyango-Obbo |first=Charles |date=8 June 2024 |access-date=9 July 2024 |work=[[The EastAfrican]] }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Both Mukulia and Rwandan President Paul Kagame have proposed sanctioning defaulting member states.<ref name=full-tray/><ref name="DRC not chair"/>

In financial year 2024/2025, 61% of the budget was equally contributed from member states or raised by internal revenue while 39% was sourced from development partners.<ref name=budget/> The budget for financial year 2024/25 was US$112.98 million, a 8.7% increase from last [[financial year]].<ref name=budget>{{Cite news |title=EAC members to fund bulk of bloc's $112m budget |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/partner-states-to-fund-bulk-of-bloc-s-112m-budget-4673814 |last=Anami |first=Luke |date=30 June 2024 |access-date=9 July 2024 |work=[[The EastAfrican]]}}</ref> The majority of this increase has been attributed to Somalia's accession.<ref name="debts">{{Cite news |last=Anami |first=Luke |date=6 July 2024 |title=Somalia pays $7.8m towards EAC budget |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/somalia-pays-7-8m-towards-eac-budget-4681534 |access-date=9 July 2024 |work=[[The EastAfrican]]}}</ref> As of 25 November 2024, only US$13.3 million of the $89.5 million budget for financial year 2024/2025 has been remitted.<ref name=debt2/> Chairperson of the EALA Budget Committee [[Ayason Mukulia]] stated that the failure in remission may stem from hesitancy following the misallocation of US$6 million in funds from the Secretariat by former Secretary General Peter Mathuki.<ref name=debt2/> Member states have reportedly refused to remit funds until a full [[audit]] is conducted.<ref name=debt2/>

The budget deficits have led to a slowdown in community operations. The EACJ has a backlog of 260 cases due to its sporadic meeting schedule. Because of the lack of funds, the EACJ only meets quarterly — the First Instance Division meets four times a year and the Appellate Division too four times a year. There are 150 staff vacancies and hiring has been frozen since 2024. 30 more senior officers are set to leave in July after their contracts expire.<ref name=":9" /> Since July 2025, the EALA has been on an indefinite break due to lack of budget.<ref name=":10" /> As of September 2025, they have fewer than ten employees.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Anami |first=Luke |date=26 September 2025 |title=Legislators ask EAC Council to revoke termination of contract staff to resolve crisis |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/legislators-ask-eac-to-revoke-termination-of-contract-staff-5207354 |access-date=27 September 2025 |work=The [[EastAfrican]]}}</ref>

At the 23rd Ordinary summit in 2023, they agreed on a new financing model in which 65% of the budget is contributed to equally, while the remaining 35% is contributed to on the basis of each member states' respective average [[nominal GDP]] in the past five years as assessed by the [[World Bank Group|World Bank]].<ref name=":11">{{Cite news |last=Anami |first=Luke |date=8 August 2025 |title=Kenya to pay highest contribution to EAC budget in proposed new model |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/business-tech/kenya-to-pay-highest-contribution-to-eac-budget-in-new-model-5147758 |access-date=27 September 2025 |work=The [[EastAfrican]]}}</ref> Kenya will contribute $12.1 million (23.7%), Tanzania $9 million (17.6%), Uganda $8.5 million (16.7%), Rwanda $8.3 million (16.3), South Sudan $6.6 (12.9%) million and Burundi $6.4 million (12.5%). Somalia and the DRC's contributions are being "assessed." The new model will be reviewed three years after its implementation.<ref name=":11" />

===DRC-EAC tensions===
====The M23 offensive====
{{main|M23 offensive (2022–present)}}
The [[March 23 Movement]], a Congolese rebel military group composed mostly of ethnic [[Tutsi]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Instability in the Democratic Republic of Congo |url=https://cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/violence-democratic-republic-congo |access-date=2022-11-29 |website=Global Conflict Tracker |language=en}}</ref> waged a [[M23 rebellion (2012–2013)|rebellion]] in the northeastern DRC from 2012 to 2013. M23 was formed by deserters of the [[Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo|DRC Armed Forces]] (FARDC) who had previously been members of the [[National Congress for the Defence of the People|CNDP]] rebel group and been dissatisfied with the conditions of their service. Both the CNDP as well as the March 23 Movement's first rebellion were supported by Rwanda and Uganda.<ref name="BBC 30 March">{{cite news |title=M23 rebels in DR Congo deny shooting down UN helicopter |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-60926185 |work=BBC |date=30 March 2022 |access-date=13 June 2022 |archive-date=23 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220423045957/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-60926185 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Schwikowski">{{cite news |title=M23 rebels resurface in DR Congo |url=https://www.dw.com/en/m23-rebels-resurface-in-dr-congo/a-61383104 |author=Martina Schwikowski |work=DW |date=8 April 2022 |access-date=13 June 2022 |archive-date=9 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609161156/https://www.dw.com/en/m23-rebels-resurface-in-dr-congo/a-61383104 |url-status=live }}</ref> A [[United Nations]] report found that Rwanda created and commanded the M23 rebel group.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newsweek.com/case-against-rwandas-president-paul-kagame-63167|title=Paul Kagame, War Criminal?|date=2013-01-14|work=Newsweek|access-date=2017-07-09|language=en}}</ref> Rwanda ceased its support because of international pressure and the military defeat by the DRC and the UN in 2013.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://foreignaffairs.house.gov/hearing/subcommittee-hearing-developments-in-rwanda/|title=Subcommittee Hearing: Developments in Rwanda - Committee on Foreign Affairs|work=Committee on Foreign Affairs|access-date=2017-07-15|language=en-US}} https://docs.house.gov/meetings/FA/FA16/20150520/103498/HHRG-114-FA16-Transcript-20150520.pdf p. 74</ref> After agreeing to a peace deal, M23 was largely dismantled, its fighters disarmed and moved into refugee camps in Uganda.<ref name="BBC 30 March" /> In 2017, an M23 splinter group fled Uganda to [[Kivu]] to resume their insurgency,<ref name="schlindwein">{{cite news |title=Neue Kämpfe im Osten Kongos: UN-Blauhelme sterben |url=https://taz.de/Neue-Kaempfe-im-Osten-Kongos/!5841834/ |author=Simone Schlindwein |work=taz |language=German |date=30 March 2022 |access-date=13 June 2022 |archive-date=13 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613134747/https://taz.de/Neue-Kaempfe-im-Osten-Kongos/!5841834/ |url-status=live }}</ref> however, the operation achieved little as the M23 no longer enjoyed significant international support. Uganda and the DRC had greatly improved relations, cooperating against a common enemy in the [[Allied Democratic Forces]]<ref name="schlindwein" /> during [[Operation Shujaa]]. In early 2022, a growing number of M23 combatants began leaving their camps and move back to the DR Congo;<ref name="BBC 30 March" /> the rebel movement launched more attacks in February 2022, but these were repelled.<ref name="schlindwein" /> The M23 leadership argued that parts of their movement had resumed the insurgency because the conditions of the 2013 peace deal were not being honored by the DRC government.<ref name="BBC 30 March" /><ref name="Schwikowski" /> The rebels also argued that they were attempting to defend Kivu's Tutsi minority from attacks by [[Hutu]] militants such as the [[Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda]] (FDLR).<ref name="africa news 23 May">{{cite news |title=DR Congo: UN condemns M23 rebel attacks on peacekeeping force in North Kivu |url=https://www.africanews.com/2022/05/23/dr-congo-un-condemns-m23-rebel-attacks-on-peacekeeping-force-in-north-kivu/ |work=Africa News |date=23 May 2022 |access-date=13 June 2022 |archive-date=21 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220621073501/https://www.africanews.com/2022/05/23/dr-congo-un-condemns-m23-rebel-attacks-on-peacekeeping-force-in-north-kivu/ |url-status=live }}</ref> This follows a long trend of Hutu-Tutsi violence, exemplified by the [[Burundi genocide (1993)|Burundi genocide of 1993]] and the [[Rwandan genocide]] of 1994, the latter having been stopped by current President of Rwanda Paul Kagame, an ethnic Tutsi who has remained in power over the Hutu-majority country since the end of the genocide. 
[[File:M23 Offensive Map.svg|thumb|The M23 Offensive as of 21 February 2025]]
On 6 April 2022, the FARDC rejected any negotiations with the M23 forces based in the DR Congo, and started a counter-attack.<ref name=ICG>{{Cite journal |url = https://d2071andvip0wj.cloudfront.net/b181-dr-congo-great-lakes.pdf |title = Easing the Turmoil in the Eastern DR Congo and Great Lakes |date = 25 May 2022 |journal = Crisis Group Africa Briefing |publisher = [[International Crisis Group]] |issue = 181 |location = [[Nairobi]], [[Brussels]] |access-date = 24 June 2024 |archive-date = 25 May 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220525122854/https://d2071andvip0wj.cloudfront.net/b181-dr-congo-great-lakes.pdf |url-status = dead }}</ref> However, as the FARDC was increasingly losing ground to the insurgents, the DRC government and a number of rebel groups held peace talks in [[Nairobi]] in late April, only for the offensive to resume in May.<ref name=ICG/> In late May, insurgents temporarily seized [[Rumangabo]] before it was retaken by the FARDC. According to independent researchers, the insurgents were supported by Rwandan soldiers during the battle for Rumangabo.<ref name="VOA aiding">{{cite web |url=https://www.voaafrica.com/a/rwanda-inside-drc-aiding-m23---report/6686811.html |title=Rwanda Inside DRC, Aiding M23 - Report |work=VOA |date=4 August 2022 |access-date=19 August 2022 |archive-date=20 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220820173449/https://www.voaafrica.com/a/rwanda-inside-drc-aiding-m23---report/6686811.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Following months of attempts, on 13 June 2022, M23 captured the town of [[Bunagana, Democratic Republic of the Congo|Bunagana]]. FARDC spokesman [[Sylvain Ekenge]] declared that the fall of Bunagana constituted "no less than an invasion" by Rwanda.<ref>{{cite news |title=Congo military accuses Rwanda of invasion; rebels seize town |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/m23-rebels-in-eastern-congo-seize-town-near-uganda-border/2022/06/13/3f38b9da-eb33-11ec-9f90-79df1fb28296_story.html |author1=Al-Hadji Kudra Maliro |author2=Justin Kabumba |newspaper=Washington Post |date=13 June 2022 |access-date=13 June 2022 |archive-date=9 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809221513/https://www.washingtonpost.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Two senior Congolese security sources and members of the [[Parliament of the Democratic Republic of the Congo|Congolese parliament]] also accused Uganda of supporting the rebel offensive.<ref name="reuters 13 June">{{cite news |title=Congo rebels seize eastern border town, local activists say |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/congo-rebels-seize-key-eastern-border-town-local-activists-say-2022-06-13/ |author=Djaffar Sabiti |work=Reuters |date=13 June 2022 |access-date=13 June 2022 |archive-date=13 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613090427/https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/congo-rebels-seize-key-eastern-border-town-local-activists-say-2022-06-13/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Congolese MPs claimed that the retreat of the [[Uganda People's Defense Force]] before the rebel attack had facilitated the takeover of Bunagana. The DRC ended military cooperation with Uganda, leading to Uganda subsequently halting Operation Shujaa.<ref name="monitor3">{{cite news |title=Fresh fighting erupts in Bunagana |url=https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/fresh-fighting-erupts-in-bunagana-3851364 |author=Robert Muhereza |work=Daily Monitor |date=17 June 2022 |access-date=13 June 2022 |archive-date=17 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617085252/https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/fresh-fighting-erupts-in-bunagana-3851364 |url-status=live }}</ref> Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta responded to the fall of Bunagana and the growing regional tensions by calling for the EAC to immediately organize a new [[Peacekeeping|peacekeeping mission]] called the [[East African Community Regional Force]] to restore security in the eastern DR Congo.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-06-16 |title=Kenya calls for immediate deployment of regional force to eastern Congo |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/kenya-calls-immediate-deployment-regional-force-eastern-congo-2022-06-15/ |access-date=2022-06-16 |archive-date=2022-06-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615212927/https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/kenya-calls-immediate-deployment-regional-force-eastern-congo-2022-06-15/ |url-status=live }}</ref> An EAC meeting was organized in Nairobi to discuss the diplomatic tensions between the DRC, Rwanda, and Uganda, as well as the deployment of a new peacekeeping force. The DRC declared that it would welcome an EAC peacekeeping mission but only under the condition of Rwanda's exclusion from the operation.<ref>{{cite news |title=DR Congo agrees to EAC force deployment without Rwandan army |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/dr-congo-agrees-to-eac-force-deployment-no-rwandan-army-3852276|work=[[The EastAfrican]]|date=19 June 2022 |access-date=20 June 2022 |archive-date=20 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620092216/https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/dr-congo-agrees-to-eac-force-deployment-without-rwandan-army-3852834 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Museveni in Kenya for EAC meeting to discuss DR Congo conflict |url=https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/museveni-in-kenya-for-eac-meeting-to-discuss-dr-congo-conflict-3853696 |work=Daily Monitor |date=20 June 2022 |access-date=20 June 2022 |archive-date=20 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620074843/https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/museveni-in-kenya-for-eac-meeting-to-discuss-dr-congo-conflict-3853696 |url-status=live }}</ref> The EAC subsequently called on M23 to retreat from Bunagana<ref>{{cite news |title=EAC leaders order M23 rebels out of Bunagana |url=https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/eac-leaders-order-m23-rebels-out-of-bunagana-3854600 |author=Andrew Bagala |work=Daily Monitor |date=21 June 2022 |access-date=22 June 2022 |archive-date=22 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220622094947/https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/eac-leaders-order-m23-rebels-out-of-bunagana-3854600 |url-status=live }}</ref> as precondition for a ceasefire, but the insurgents rejected the order.<ref>{{cite news |title=Congo-M23 ceasefire fails |url=https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/congo-m23-ceasefire-fails-3856060 |author1=Andrew Bagala |author2=Robert Muhereza |work=Daily Monitor |date=22 June 2022 |access-date=22 June 2022 |archive-date=22 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220622075907/https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/congo-m23-ceasefire-fails-3856060 |url-status=live }}</ref> Anti-Rwandan protests broke out on 31 October in Goma, demanding that the DRC leave the EAC and that [[Russia]] intervene in the conflict. On 2 November, Kenya announced that it would send 900 soldiers to fight against the M23.<ref name="news24">{{cite news |title=Kenya to deploy army to eastern DRC to fight M23 rebels |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/africa/news/kenya-to-deploy-army-to-eastern-drc-to-fight-m23-rebels-20221102 |access-date=2 November 2022 |agency=news24 |date=2 November 2022 |archive-date=2 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102061959/https://www.news24.com/news24/africa/news/kenya-to-deploy-army-to-eastern-drc-to-fight-m23-rebels-20221102 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Ugandan military then joined the Kenyan troops in fighting the M23.<ref>{{cite news |title=Uganda Readies Strike Force to Counter M23 Rebels |url=https://chimpreports.com/uganda-readies-strike-force-to-counter-m23-rebels/ |access-date=18 November 2022 |agency=Chimp Reports |date=17 November 2022 |archive-date=17 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221117204846/https://chimpreports.com/uganda-readies-strike-force-to-counter-m23-rebels/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On 28 December 2022, South Sudan sent a contingency of 750 troops to join the EACRF, to be stationed in [[Goma]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=South Sudan Sends 750 Troops to DRC |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/south-sudan-sends-750-troops-to-drc/6895421.html |access-date=2022-12-30 |website=VOA |date=28 December 2022 |language=en |archive-date=2022-12-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229140235/https://www.voanews.com/a/south-sudan-sends-750-troops-to-drc/6895421.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Over the next few months, the EACRF made some ground, with various towns being ceded to the EACRF.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rebels Pull Back in Eastern DR Congo as Regional Force Deploys |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/rebels-pull-back-in-eastern-dr-congo-as-regional-force-deploys-/7008905.html |website=VOA |date=17 March 2023 |access-date=13 April 2023 |archive-date=13 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413200543/https://www.voanews.com/a/rebels-pull-back-in-eastern-dr-congo-as-regional-force-deploys-/7008905.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 3 April, Ugandan EACRF soldiers entered Bunagana. However, instead of taking the city, the EACRF coexisted with the rebel forces.<ref name="RadioOkapi0423">{{cite web |url=https://www.radiookapi.net/2023/04/04/actualite/securite/nord-kivu-le-contingent-ougandais-de-leac-cohabite-avec-les-rebelles |title=Nord-Kivu : le contingent ougandais de l'EAC cohabite avec les rebelles du M23 à Bunagana(sources locales) |work=RadioOkapi |date=4 April 2023 |access-date=13 April 2023 |archive-date=13 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413200543/https://www.radiookapi.net/2023/04/04/actualite/securite/nord-kivu-le-contingent-ougandais-de-leac-cohabite-avec-les-rebelles |url-status=live }}</ref> A similar arrangement was also observed at Rumangabo, where Kenyans and M23 inhabited the same base, and along the Sake-Kilolirwe-Kitshanga-Mwesso axis, where Burundian and rebel forces operated next to each other.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.radiookapi.net/2023/04/03/actualite/securite/rdc-arrivee-des-detachements-precurseurs-des-militaires-sud-soudanais |title=RDC : arrivée des détachements précurseurs des militaires sud-soudanais à Goma |work=RadioOkapi |date=3 April 2023 |access-date=13 April 2023 |archive-date=13 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413195123/https://www.radiookapi.net/2023/04/03/actualite/securite/rdc-arrivee-des-detachements-precurseurs-des-militaires-sud-soudanais |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:HE Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda (14985842184).jpg|left|thumb|Rwandan President Paul Kagame, [[commander-in-chief]] of the [[Rwanda Defence Force]] found to fighting alongside the M23 rebel group.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lederer |first=Edith M. |date=10 July 2024 |title=UN experts: Between 3,000 and 4,000 Rwandan troops are in Congo operating with the M23 rebel group |url=https://apnews.com/article/un-congo-rwanda-troops-m23-panel-experts-8619a4ce5727a7fec85808ef76762d9b |access-date=5 August 2024 |work=[[AP News]]}}</ref>]]
In October 2023, the DRC ordered the EAC force in the country to leave by 8 December, due to a "lack of satisfactory results on the ground".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-10 |title=Congo orders regional peacekeepers to leave by December |url=https://apnews.com/article/congo-m23-rebels-east-african-peacekeeping-mission-65e3d72e57be636f1436a11ac29ac578 |access-date=2023-10-29 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=2023-10-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231029184110/https://apnews.com/article/congo-m23-rebels-east-african-peacekeeping-mission-65e3d72e57be636f1436a11ac29ac578 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 19 December 2023, the last of the EACRF forces had withdrawn from the Eastern DRC.<ref>{{Cite news |title=EACRF completes withdrawal from Eastern DR Congo |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/eacrf-completes-exit-from-eastern-drc-4471016 |last=Wambui |first=Mary |date= 21 December 2023|access-date= 24 June 2024|work=[[The EastAfrican]]}}</ref> To replace the EACRF, SADC forces on 15 December 2023 were deployed to the region to “restore peace and security in the eastern DRC”.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Deployment of the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo |date=4 January 2024 |publisher=[[Southern African Development Community]] |url=https://www.sadc.int/latest-news/deployment-sadc-mission-democratic-republic-congo |access-date=24 June 2024}}</ref> Kenyan President William Ruto and Angolan President [[João Lourenço]] met in 8 January 2025 to discuss consolidating EAC and SADC efforts in peacemaking in the conflict area.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ruto, Lourenço seek joint EAC-SADC push for peace in DRC |last=Vieira |first=Arnaldo |date=9 January 2025 |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/ruto-louren%C3%A7o-seek-joint-eac-sadc-push-for-peace-in-drc-4883726 |access-date=23 January 2025 |work=The [[EastAfrican]]}}</ref>

In January 2025, [[Goma]] was again the target [[2025 Goma offensive|of a renewed offensive]] by the Rwandan-backed M23 rebels. The heads of state of both Rwanda and the DRC agreed to attend a peace summit hosted by Kenya at the invitation of President [[William Ruto]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=DR Congo updates: UN chief urges Rwanda to pull back troops |access-date=26 January 2025 |work=[[Deutsche Welle]] |url=https://www.dw.com/en/dr-congo-updates-un-chief-urges-rwanda-to-pull-back-troops/live-71416951 }}</ref> The emergency meeting, involving all East African Community member states, was held on 29 January 2025 with Rwanda's Kagame but not DRC's Tshisekedi, who cancelled his participation. The organisation called for an immediate ceasefire and for Congo to negotiate with the M23.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Congo Says It Will Seek to Recover Lost Territory as Rwanda-Backed Rebels Advance South |work=[[U.S. News & World Report]] |date=29 January 2025 |access-date=29 January 2025 |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2025-01-29/rwandas-kagame-says-he-agrees-with-us-on-need-for-ceasefire-in-congo }}</ref>

====Rumours of DRC exit====

At the 24th Ordinary Summit held in November 2024, Congolese President [[Felix Tshisekedi]], expected to take over as Summit Chairperson, neither attended nor sent a representative, with Kenyan President William Ruto elected to the position instead.<ref name="DRC not chair">{{Cite news |title=Why EAC presidents prefer Ruto to Tshisekedi as chair |last=Anami |first=Luke |date=30 November 2024 |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/why-eac-presidents-prefer-ruto-to-tshisekedi-as-chair-4841872 |access-date=3 December 2024 |work=The [[EastAfrican]]}}</ref> This follows a series of absences by Tshisekedi, including the 23rd Extraordinary Summit, held on 7 June 2024 to appoint Veronica Mueni Nduva as Secretary General.<ref name="rumoured exit"/> Insiders at the Secretariat have stated that the DRC rarely takes part in meetings and as of 22 June 2024, the DRC has yet to align its legal instruments with the EAC as per the treaty.<ref name="rumoured exit">{{cite news |last1=Anami |first1=Luke |last2=Ilunga |first2=Patrick|title=Dealing with DRC, seeming reluctant partner of East African Community |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/news/africa/dealing-with-drc-seeming-reluctant-partner-of-eac-4666004 |access-date=24 June 2024 |work=[[Daily Nation]] |date=22 June 2024}}</ref> The DRC has implemented free movement of people however otherwise has not integrated to the extent the other member states have.<ref name="rumoured exit"/> The DRC is required to remit money yearly to the EAC as part of its membership; however, despite accessing in 2019, it had failed to remit a cent until 2024 when it remitted US$1 million to the EAC.<ref name=debt2/> The DRC still owes a total of US$20.7 million.<ref name=":9" />

Analysts have suggested that the DRC’s continued absence is a [[boycott]] in response to Kenyan President William Ruto’s stance on the M23 conflict.<ref name="rumoured exit"/> At a summit discussion on if the M23 were Rwandan or Congolese. Ruto said “the DRC told us: ‘They are Congolese.’ End of the debate. If they are Congolese, how does this become a Rwandan problem? How does this become a Kagame problem?”<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ruto: 'The DRC told us M23 were Congolese – so how is this a Kagame problem?' |url=https://www.theafricareport.com/349182/william-ruto-women-of-northern-kenya-are-the-same-as-the-women-of-haiti/ |last=Begnetto |first=Laura Angela |date=22 March 2024 |access-date= 25 June 2024|work=[[The Africa Report]]}}</ref>

Former Foreign Minister of the DRC [[Christophe Lutundula]] said the DRC strategy was “to join the Eastern bloc, of course for regional integration and economic reasons, but also to better plead the Congo’s security cause, where Rwanda is making its voice heard,” suggesting that EAC accession to the EAC was in large part due to counteracting Rwanda's influence in the bloc.<ref name="rumoured exit"/> Congolese legislators in the EALA said the DRC was not considering quitting the EAC, but that the decision was up to President Tshisekedi.<ref name="rumoured exit"/>

MP [[Bertran Ewanga]], head of the DRC chapter of the EALA, suggested that additional tension arose from a statement by Kenyan President William Ruto during a state dinner with U.S. President [[Joe Biden]], although the specific statement that caused the tension is unknown.<ref name="rumoured exit"/> DRC Spokesman [[Patrick Muyaya]] said the peace in Kivu was taking too long to be realised and that “some Congolese are now questioning why we even asked to join the EAC.”<ref name="rumoured exit"/> He also said the DRC is "happier in the SADC than in the EAC," reflecting the EACRF's replacement at request of Tshisekedi with SADC forces.<ref name="rumoured exit"/> He also cited the war as a direct reason for the limited efforts in integration as Rwanda and Kenya are seen as supporters of the M23 rebellion.<ref name=":9" />

Tshisekedi recalled the ambassador of the DRC to Kenya in December 2023 and has yet to accredit the new Kenyan ambassador to the DRC due to disagreements surrounding the [[Congo River Alliance]], a group including DRC politicians and various [[secessionist]] militias including the M23.<ref name="rumoured exit"/><ref name=disassociates>{{Cite news |title=Kenya 'disassociates' from DR Congo rebels alliance after diplomatic row |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/12/17/kenya-disassociates-with-dr-congo-rebels-alliance-after-diplomatic-row |date=17 Dec 2023 |access-date=25 June 2024 |work=[[Al Jazeera English]]}}</ref><ref name="DRC not chair"/> Tshisekedi demanded that Kenya hand over any persons engaging in "subversive activities," to which Kenyan foreign minister [[Musalia Mudavadi]] said “Kenya strongly disassociates itself from any utterances or activities likely to injure the peace and security of the friendly nation of DRC and has commenced an investigation.”<ref name=disassociates/> Ultimately, Kenya found the statements to fall under constitutionally protected speech.<ref name="rumoured exit"/>

The DRC's entry into the EAC was facilitated by Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, Ruto's predecessor and a friend to Tshisekedi. Ruto is seen as reversing the positions that allowed the DRC to join in the first place.<ref name="rumoured exit"/> DRC Opposition leader [[Martin Fayulu]] has called the DRC’s membership in the EAC a “big mistake”.<ref name="rumoured exit"/> The EAC treaty has no provisions for the forcible exit of a member state, with only sanctions having been outlined.<ref name="rumoured exit"/> During the 7 June 2024 Summit, Paul Kagame called for a meeting of the Council of Ministers to discuss peace in the region.<ref name="rumoured exit"/>

Despite conflicts, Secretary General Veronica Nduva said in November 2024 that the DRC is finalising a review of its policy and legal framework to align with EAC protocols, including waiving visa requirements for citizens of all EAC partner States.<ref name=debt2/>

=== Somali integration ===
{{Expand section|date=July 2024}}
As of July 2024, Somalia is active in an ongoing [[Somali civil war (2009–present)|civil war]]. The main insurgent group is the [[Al-Qaeda]]-linked, [[Sunni Islam|Sunni]] [[Islamism|Islamist]] military [[Al-Shabaab (militant group)|Al-Shabaab]]. Although based in [[Somalia]], its reach extends all the way to [[Kampala]], Uganda, where it killed 76 people in a [[2010 Kampala bombings]]. As a result of the ongoing civil war, Somalia topped the annual [[Fragile States Index]] for six years from 2008 up to and including 2013.<ref>{{cite news |last=Messner |first=J.J. |date=24 June 2014 |title=Failed States Index 2014: Somalia Displaced as Most-Fragile State |url=http://library.fundforpeace.org/fsi14-overview |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150504035658/http://library.fundforpeace.org/fsi14-overview |archive-date=May 4, 2015 |access-date=18 May 2015 |publisher=The Fund for Peace |df=mdy-all}}</ref> Troops from Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Burundi and Djibouti have fought Al-Shabaab since 2007, first as the [[African Union Mission to Somalia]] then as [[African Union Transition Mission in Somalia]] (ATMIS). However, as of July 2024, 5,000 soldiers have left Somalia as ATMIS prepares to leave Somalia by December 2024.<ref name=":8">{{Cite news |date=30 June 2024 |title=As Atmis exit, Al Shabaab creates deadly pan-East African force |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/al-shabaab-creates-deadly-pan-east-african-force-4673664 |access-date=28 July 2024 |work=[[The EastAfrican]]}}</ref> Recently, Al-Shabaab have allied with the Ugandan rebel group, the Allied Democratic Forces, trading arms and training for illegally-mined minerals from the Eastern DRC.<ref name=":8" /> Al-Shabaab has also created a sect of foreign fighters called the Muhajirin, including primarily Kenyan, Ethiopian and Tanzanian nationals, but also some Congoleses, Burundians, Rwandans and Ugandans.<ref name=":8" /> In 2024, Al-Shabaab recaptured much of the land captured by the retreating ATMIS.<ref name=":8" />

Most of Somalia operates independently from its federal government. [[Somaliland]], an internationally unrecognized state within the borders of Somalia, released a statement following Somalia’s accession into the EAC stating that the “decision is a clear violation of Somaliland's sovereignty and territorial integrity,” and called for the EAC, the [[African Union]], and the [[United Nations]] to recognize their statehood.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 November 2023 |title=Defending Somaliland's Sovereignty: Refuting Somalia's Unilateral Integration into the East African Community (EAC) |url=https://mfa.govsomaliland.org/article/immediate-release-defending-somalilands-sovereignty-refuting |access-date=7 June 2024 |publisher=Republic of Somaliland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation}}</ref> In addition, [[Puntland]] has temporarily withdrawn until the constitutional amendments concentrating power under president [[Hassan Sheikh Mohamud]] are approved in a nationwide referendum.<ref>{{Cite news |date=31 March 2024 |title=Somalia's Puntland refuses to recognise federal government after disputed constitutional changes |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/somalias-puntland-refuses-recognise-federal-government-after-disputed-2024-03-31/#:~:text=BOSASO%2C%20March%2031%20(Reuters),approved%20in%20a%20nationwide%20referendum. |access-date=28 July 2024 |work=[[Reuters]]}}</ref> These conflicts have caused the federal government to control only around ten percent of its internationally-recognized territory as of May 2024.

===Differences in modes of governance===
{{Expand section|date=December 2024}}

Despite efforts at integration and standardizing governance, there remains significant political differences between the states. Ugandan President [[Yoweri Museveni]]'s success in obtaining his third-term amendment raised doubts in the other countries.<ref name="ODI" /> The single-party dominance in the Tanzanian and Ugandan parliaments is unattractive to Kenyans, while Kenya's ethnic-politics remains absent in Tanzania.<ref name="ODI" /> Rwanda has a distinctive political culture with a political elite committed to building a developmental state.<ref name="ODI" />

These differences in modes of governance was exemplified when South Sudanese President [[Salva Kiir Mayardit]] was appointed chairperson of the EAC in November 2023. This decision was criticized by some regional observers including [[Duop Chak Wuol]], an influential South Sudanese analyst, who criticized the appointment of Kiir, seeing it as evidence of the EAC failure to uphold its moral obligations and accused the bloc of ignoring what he described as Salva Kiir's tyranny.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Opinion – Justifying dictatorship in South Sudan: A case against the East African Community |last=Wuol |first=Duop Chak |date=5 December 2023 |url=https://www.radiotamazuj.org/en/news/article/opinion-justifying-dictatorship-in-south-sudan-a-case-against-the-east-african-community |access-date=6 December 2024 |work=[[Radio Tamazuj]]}}</ref> Many have argued that support for East African integration from local politicians grants often corrupt politicians with the ability to present themselves as statesmen and representatives of a greater regional interest.<ref name="ODI" /> Furthermore, EAC institutions bring significant new powers to dispose and depose to those who serve in them.<ref name="ODI" />

==Economics==

===Importance of the customs union===

The key aspects of the customs union include:<ref name="ODI" />
# a Common External Tariff (CET) on imports from third countries;
# duty-free trade between the member states; and
# common customs procedures.

Since July 2022, the CET has four main duty rates:<ref name=RoO>{{Cite news |title=Fresh push for review of EAC rules of origin |last=Anyanzwa |first=James |date=15 February 2025 |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/business-tech/fresh-push-for-review-of-eac-rules-of-origin-4927710 |access-date=19 February 2025 |work=The [[EastAfrican]]}}</ref> 
# 35% duty on finished products
# 25% duty on intermediate products available in the EAC region
# 10% duty on intermediate products not available in the EAC region
# 0% duty on raw materials and capital goods

However rates still vary on some individual products, such as an 100% duty on [[sugar]].<ref name=":03">{{Cite act|title=Common External Tariff 2022 Version|authority=[[East African Community#The Council|East African Community Council of Ministers]]|orig-date=1 July 2022|orig-section=Schedule 2: Sensitive Items}}</ref> There are also some additional "sensitive items" which exceed the 35% duty rate including [[dairy product]]s, [[maize]], [[rice]], and [[woven fabric]]s.<ref name=":03" /> Kenya was granted a temporary exception to the CET to import grain at a lower tariff to meet local demand and increase food security.<ref name="duty3">{{Cite news |last=Anami |first=Luke |date=13 June 2024 |title=Kenya to drop excise duty on eggs, onions from EAC |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/business-tech/kenya-to-drop-excise-duty-on-eggs-onions-from-eac-4657182 |access-date=15 June 2024 |work=[[The EastAfrican]]}}</ref> The rules regulating what counts as a domestic vs foreign product is regulated by the Rules of Origin (RoO). The RoO is expected to be updated every five years however has not been updated since 2015.<ref name=RoO/> The customs union is not yet exercised in the full extent of the promise. For instance, Kenya still holds excise duties on many products, raising excise duty rates in 2023.<ref>{{cite act|title=The Finance Act, 2023|article=§ 103|volume=|series=|at=pt. IV, § 47|orig-date=26 June 2023|authority=[[Kenyan Parliament]]}}</ref> And although Kenya recently loosened certain duties, they still haven't enacted full free movement of goods.<ref name="duty3" /> This also means that countries outside of the EAC must still navigate local tax and duties opposed to a singular tax policy, simplifying the process of investing in EAC member states. For EAC internal trade in the third quarter of 2023, Tanzania was the biggest exporter with US$798.12 million, Uganda was the biggest importer with US$649.3 million, and Rwanda had the highest internal EAC in [[Balance of trade|trade deficit]] of US$375.23 million.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |date=31 December 2023 |title=EAC Quarterly Statistics Bulletin: October – December 2023 |url=http://repository.eac.int/bitstream/handle/11671/24500/EAC%20Statistics%20Quartely%20Bulletin_Issue%203.pdf |access-date=8 June 2024 |publisher=EAC Information Repository}}</ref> Intra-regional trade currently stands at 15% of EAC trade according to Summit Chairman Salva Kiir, which was deemed unsatisfactory.<ref name=":1" />

===Common market===

[[File:East African Community heads of state.jpg|thumb|EAC heads in 2009. From left to right: [[Yoweri Museveni]] (Uganda), [[Mwai Kibaki]] (Kenya), [[Paul Kagame]] (Rwanda), [[Jakaya Kikwete]] (Tanzania), [[Pierre Nkurunziza]] (Burundi).]]

On 1 July 2010, the EAC launched the Common Market Protocol, an expansion of the bloc's existing customs union that entered into effect in 2005.<ref name="kbc">{{cite news|title=EA Market Protocol officially launched|url=http://www.kbc.co.ke/story.asp?ID=64990|access-date=1 July 2010|newspaper=Kenya Broadcasting Corporation|date=1 July 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100702235155/http://www.kbc.co.ke/story.asp?ID=64990|archive-date=2 July 2010}}</ref> Corruption has led to some integration initiatives being underfunded.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Caroline Ntara |title=Political Leadership and Regional Integration: A Case of the East African Community Common Market |year=2023 |journal=Journal of Management and Training for Industries |volume=10 |issue=1 |pages=1–20 |doi=10.12792/JMTI.10.1.1|s2cid=258402691 |doi-access=free }}</ref> The full adoption of the common market has been undermined by continued protectionism between member states, with decisions driven by political pressures on national leaders slowing down the implementation of commitments to integration, even within founding members.<ref name="Apuuli2023" />{{rp|13.13}} Bilateral political tensions have led to border controls in some periods, further undermining the shared labour market. In 2024, Rwanda closed its borders with Burundi and the DRC, after a previous three-year closure of its border with Uganda in 2019.<ref name=debt2/> In January 2023, Burundi closed its border with Rwanda after President Evariste Ndayishimiye accused Rwanda of hosting and training the [[RED-Tabara]] rebel group.<ref name=debt2/>

Despite border closings, an immense amount of inter-EAC migration is still occurring; From July to December 2023, around 376,000 citizens emigrated to Rwanda from other EAC member states, including around 76,500 Burundians.<ref name=debt2/>  In turn, Burundi received around 251,500 citizens from other EAC member states, including 110,500 Rwandans.<ref name=debt2/>  South Sudan received 69,584 citizens, half of which were from Uganda.<ref name=debt2/>

In 2010, the introduction of "third generation" ID cards was planned. These cards identify the holder as a dual citizen of their home country and of "East Africa".<ref>{{cite news|title=What are the goodies in the EAC Common Market Protocol?|url=http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=2000012822&cid=14&j=&m=&d=|access-date=1 July 2010|newspaper=The Standard|date=1 July 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329115147/http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=2000012822&cid=14&j=&m=&d=|archive-date=29 March 2012}}</ref> Third generation cards are already in use in Rwanda with Kenya set to introduce them in July 2010 and the other countries following afterwards.<ref name="standard" /> An East African passport was launched on {{nowrap|1 April}} 1999 in the original three countries of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.<ref>{{cite web |title=East African Community (EAC) |url=http://www.africa-union.org/root/AU/recs/eac.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100630105219/http://www.africa-union.org/root/au/RECs/EAC.htm |archive-date=30 June 2010 |access-date=1 July 2010 |publisher=Africa-union.org}}</ref> The 17th Ordinary Summit held on 2 March 2016 launched the East African electronic passport. Tanzania started issuing the EA e-passport on 31 January 2018; Kenya and Burundi on 28 May 2018; Uganda on 18 December 2018 and Rwanda on 28 June 2019. South Sudan, the DRC and Somalia are still establishing the legal framework to start issuing the document.<ref name=debt2/> Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda, allow citizens to travel within their territories using a national ID as a travel document.<ref name=debt2/> Kenya in December 2024 introduced the Class R work permit allowing any EAC national to work in Kenya free of charge. Tanzania, DRC, Somalia, Burundi, and South Sudan still charge EAC nationals for work permits.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Kenya allows EAC nationals free entry to work |last=Anami |first=Luke |date=20 December 2024 |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/business-tech/kenya-allows-eac-nationals-free-entry-to-work-4864686 |access-date=19 February 2025 |work=The [[EastAfrican]]}}</ref> Mutual recognition and accreditation of higher education institutions is also being worked towards as is the harmonisation of social security benefits across the EAC.<ref name="standard">{{cite news|title=Dawn of an era for East Africans|url=http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=2000012871&cid=4&ttl=Dawn%20of%20an%20era%20for%20East%20Africans|access-date=1 July 2010|newspaper=The Standard|date=1 July 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111019082249/http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=2000012871&cid=4&ttl=Dawn%20of%20an%20era%20for%20East%20Africans|archive-date=19 October 2011}}</ref>

===Emerging business trends===

Business leaders are far more positive than economists about the benefits of EAC integration, its customs union as a step in the process, as well as the wider integration under COMESA.<ref name="ODI" /> The larger economic players perceive long-term benefits in a progressively expanding regional market.<ref name="ODI" /> Patterns of regional development are already emerging, including:<ref name="ODI" />
* Kenyan firms have successfully aligned to the lower protection afforded by the EAC CET and fears that firms would not adjust to a 25% maximum CET, or would relocate to Tanzania or Uganda have not been realised.
* An intraregional division of labour is developing, which results in basic import-processing relocating to the coast to supply the hinterland. The final stages of import-processing (especially those bulky finished goods that involve high transportation costs) and natural-resource based activities are moving up-country and up-region, either within value chains of large companies or different segments located by firms in different countries.
* Trade in goods and services has already increased as service provision to Kenyans and Tanzanians is already important for Uganda (in education and in health). Kenya exports financial services, for example via the Kenya Commercial Bank and purchase and upgrading of local operators in Tanzania, Uganda and Sudan. Uganda hopes integration will help support its tourism potential through integration with established regional circuits.
* There are signs of a business culture oriented to making profits through economies of scale and not on protectionism.
* Kenya historically has been the leader in intraregional trade. For the first time in 2024, Tanzania overtook Kenya's position, leading regional trade.<ref name="DRC not chair"/>
Due to the DRC's accession into the EAC, Congolese in [[Kisangani]] and Goma are now receiving their goods through ports in Mombasa and Dar es Salaam.<ref name="rumoured exit"/> The success of this new trade route has caused the DRC and South Sudan to integrate revenue systems to streamline cargo documentation, hastening the rate at which goods are cleared through the Port of Mombassa.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Congo, South Sudan set to integrate revenue systems |last=Kitimo |first=Anthony |date=22 November 2024 |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/business-tech/congo-south-sudan-set-to-integrate-revenue-systems-4832552 |access-date=4 December 2024 |work=The [[EastAfrican]]}}</ref> The eastern region of the DRC currently has plentiful mining operations, in particular the mining of [[Cobalt]]. The mining sector of the EAC contributes around 2.3% of the GDP, with [[gold]] being the second highest exported product following [[petroleum]] in the fourth quarter of 2023.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=EAC Quarterly Statistics Bulletin: October – December 2023 |date=31 December 2023 |publisher=East African Community |url=http://repository.eac.int/bitstream/handle/11671/24500/EAC%20Statistics%20Quartely%20Bulletin_Issue%203.pdf |access-date=8 June 2024}}</ref> In the Southeastern DRC lays the [[copperbelt]], known for its [[Copper extraction|copper mining]]. The copper is currently majority exported via road with the exception of the [[Lobito Atlantic Railway]], which stretches from the Lobito, [[Angola]] to [[Kolwezi]]. However, the Lobito Corridor project, with $250 million in U.S. financial investment, would construct around 550&nbsp;km (350 miles) of railway in [[Zambia]] along the Zambia-DRC border, with feeder roads connecting DRC copper mines to the new railway.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=The Lobito Corridor: Building Africa's Most Important Railway |date=15 February 2024 |publisher=[[United States Chamber of Commerce]] |url=https://www.uschamber.com/international/the-lobito-corridor-building-africas-most-important-railway |access-date=10 June 2024 |last1=Ellington |first1=Arnold}}</ref>

===Trade negotiations===

{{main|Trade in the East African Community}}

On 16 July 2008, the [[United States]] and the EAC signed a [[Trade and Investment Framework Agreement]], strengthening United States-EAC trade.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=East African Community |url=https://ustr.gov/countries-regions/africa/regional-economic-communities-rec/east-african-community |access-date=15 June 2024 |publisher=[[Office of the United States Trade Representative]]}}</ref> The U.S. exported $1.1 billion and imported $1.3 billion from the EAC in 2022. This shifted the net goods traded from a total trade deficit of $211 million in 2021 to a trade surplus of $135 million in 2022.<ref name=":6" /> In Q4 2024, the EAC exported US$6.3 Billion.<ref name=":7" /> Out of trade partners, the top five were [[China]], the [[United Arab Emirates]], [[India]], [[South Africa]], and [[Malaysia]]. The top importer of EAC goods was the UAE and the top source of imported goods was China.<ref name=":7" /> Trade with COMESA accounted for 11.5% of total EAC Trade while trade with SADC accounted for 12.9.<ref name=":7" /> On 2 December 2024, [[Germany]] and the EAC signed a development cooperation agreement committing 64€ million from Germany to be invested in the EAC. Out of that, 23€ million goes towards pandemic preparedness and combatting disease and 5€ million goes towards environmental conservation.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Germany commits Euro 64 Million to support EAC in creating impacts for East Africans |date=5 December 2024 |publisher=East African Community |url=https://www.eac.int/press-releases/155-resource-mobilization/3281-germany-commits-euro-64-million-to-support-eac-in-creating-impacts-for-east-africans |access-date=23 January 2025}}</ref>

===Poverty reduction===

EAC that have economies have large informal sectors, unintegrated with the formal economy and large business.<ref name="ODI" /> The concerns of large-scale manufacturing and agro-processing concerns are not broadly shared by the bulk of available labour.<ref name="ODI" /> Research suggest the promised investments on the conditions of life of the region's overwhelmingly rural poor will be slight, with the significant exception of agro-industrial firms with out-grower schemes or that otherwise contribute to the co-ordination of [[smallholding|smallholder]] production and trade.<ref name="ODI" />

It is informal trade across borders that is most often important to rural livelihoods and a customs union is unlikely to significantly impact the barriers that this faces and taxes are still being fixed separately by countries.<ref name="ODI" /> However, the introduction of one-stop border posts being introduced and the reduction in tariff barriers are coming down progressively.<ref name="ODI" />

The establishment of a common market will create both winners (numerous food producers and consumers on both sides of all borders) and losers (smugglers and the customs, police and local government officers who currently benefit from bribery at and around the borders) in the border areas.<ref name="ODI" /> More substantial impact could be attained by a new generation of investments in world-market production based on the region's comparative advantages in natural resources (especially mining and agriculture) and the new tariff structure creates marginally better conditions for world-market exporters, by cheapening inputs and by reducing upward pressures on the exchange rate.<ref name="ODI" />

==Plans==

{{main|East African Federation}}

The new treaty was proposed with plans drawn up in 2004 to introduce a [[monetary union]] with a common currency some time between 2012 and 2015. There were also plans for a [[political union]], the East African Federation, with a common President (initially on a rotation basis) and a common parliament by 2010. However, some experts, like those based in the public think tank [[Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis]] (KIPPRA), noted that the plans were too ambitious to be met by 2010 because a number of political, social and economic challenges are yet to be addressed. The proposal was the subject of National Consultative discussions, and a final decision was to be taken by the EAC Heads of State in mid-2007.<ref name="EarthRule">*[http://nationmedia.com/dailynation/downloads/Bizzsunday070107.pdf Sunday Nation (Business Sunday) – {{nowrap|7 January}} 2007] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070605012033/http://nationmedia.com/dailynation/downloads/Bizzsunday070107.pdf|date=5 June 2007}}</ref> In 2013, a protocol was signed outlining their plans for launching a monetary union within 10 years.<ref name="MU" /> There are concerns that rapid integration would enflame popular reactionary politics against the project.<ref name="ODI" /> However it's also been argued that, with high costs that would be required at the beginning, fast-tracking the project would allow the benefits to be seen earlier.<ref name="ODI" />

Given the infrastructure problems that persist in the fledgling country since South Sudanese President Salva Kiir cut off oil commerce with Sudan, the state has decided to invest in constructing pipelines that circumvent Sudan's, which it had been using until that time. These new pipelines would extend through Ethiopia to the ports of Djibouti, as well as to the southeast to the coast of Kenya.<ref name="South Sudan Oil Development">{{cite web |date=16 March 2012 |title=South Sudan Oil Transit to Resume, Lamu Project will continue |url=http://www.groundreport.com/Business/South-Sudan-Oil-Transit-to-Resume-Lamu-Project-wil/2944897 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120605064503/http://www.groundreport.com/Business/South-Sudan-Oil-Transit-to-Resume-Lamu-Project-wil/2944897 |archive-date=5 June 2012 |access-date=15 July 2012 |publisher=GroundReport}}</ref><!-- The pipeline that exports the majority of South Sudan's oil broke and thus has cut off the government from a large source of income. Civil war likely brewing. This needs expansion somewhere. -->

In September 2018, a committee was formed to begin the process of drafting a regional constitution.<ref name="theeastafrican.co.ke" />

In January 2023, the Secretary-General of the East African Community announced plans to issue a single currency within the next four years. The Council of Ministers of the organization must decide on the location of the East African Monetary Institute and the establishment of a roadmap for the issuance of the single currency.<ref>{{cite news |title=La Communauté d'Afrique de l'Est prévoit l'émission d'une monnaie unique d'ici quatre ans |url=https://www.agenceecofin.com/actualites/1701-104526-la-communaute-dafrique-de-lest-prevoit-lemission-dune-monnaie-unique-d-ici-quatre-ans |access-date=17 January 2023 |work=Agence Ecofin |date=17 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117204359/https://www.agenceecofin.com/actualites/1701-104526-la-communaute-dafrique-de-lest-prevoit-lemission-dune-monnaie-unique-d-ici-quatre-ans |url-status=live |archive-date=17 January 2023 |language=fr}}</ref> In 2025, the implementation was pushed back to 2031.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Anyanzwa |first=James |date=24 September 2025 |title=EAC shelves decision on regional central bank, clouding Kenya's bid to host |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/business-tech/eac-shelves-decision-on-regional-central-bank-5204604 |access-date=26 September 2025 |work=The [[EastAfrican]]}}</ref>

===Coalition of the Willing===
{{update section|date=July 2024}}

A "Coalition of the Willing", made up of Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, began a number of initiatives amongst themselves including joint railway and oil pipeline projects, a joint tourist visa, and a defence and security pact, to get around reluctance from other members.<ref name="Apuuli2023" />{{rp|13.14}} However, even within this grouping, progress on projects has been delayed. Bilateral friction between members, a lack of enthusiasm, and political instability have been the primary reasons behind the delaying and weakening of integration efforts.<ref name="Apuuli2023" />{{rp|13.15}}

===Single tourist visa===

It had been hoped that an East African Single Tourist Visa may have been ready for November 2006, if it was approved by the relevant sectoral authorities under the EAC's integration programme. Had it been approved, the visa would have been valid for all three current member states of the EAC (Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda). Under the proposal for the visa, any new EAC single visa could be issued by any member state's embassy. The visa proposal followed an appeal by the tourist boards of the partner states for a common visa to accelerate promotion of the region as a single tourist destination and the EAC Secretariat wanted it approved before November's World Travel Fair (or World Travel Market) in London.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationmedia.com/eastafrican/24072006/News/News240720066.htm |title=Single East African visa for tourists coming in November |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080531164054/http://www.nationmedia.com/eastafrican/24072006/News/News240720066.htm |archive-date=31 May 2008}}</ref> When approved by the EAC's council of ministers, tourists could apply for one country's entry visa which would then be applicable in all regional member states as a single entry requirement initiative.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://travelvideo.tv/news/more.php?id=A9296_0_1_0_M |title=East Africa geared for single tourist entry visa program |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090305031954/http://travelvideo.tv/news/more.php?id=A9296_0_1_0_M |archive-date=5 March 2009}}</ref>

A single East African Tourist Visa for the EAC countries of Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda has been available since 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yourafricansafari.com/articles/in-2014-a-single-east-african-visa-for-seamless-traveling|title=In 2014: a single East African visa for seamless traveling|author=Fran|work=Your African Safari|access-date=9 May 2015}}</ref>

==Demographics{{Table alignment}}==
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible col1left col2right defaultcenter"
|+2024 Population statistics of constituent states
!Name
!Population<ref name="CIAPop" />
! scope="col" style="text-align:center" |% of Total Population
! scope="col" style="text-align:center" |Annual Population Growth<ref name="CIAPop" />
![[List of countries by total fertility rate|TFR]]
![[List of countries by Human Development Index|HDI]]
|-
|{{flag|DR Congo}}
|115,403,027
|33.6%
|3.11%
|6.0
|0.481
|-
|{{flag|Tanzania}}
|67,462,121
|19.6%
|2.72%
|4.5
|0.532
|-
|{{flag|Kenya}}
|58,246,378
|17.0%
|2.06%
|3.2
|0.601
|-
|{{flag|Uganda}}
|49,283,041
|14.4%
|3.18%
|4.2
|0.550
|-
|{{flag|Somalia}}
|13,017,273
|3.8%
|2.55%
|6.0
|0.380
|-
|{{flag|Rwanda}}
|13,623,302
|4.0%
|1.62%
|3.6
|0.548
|-
|{{flag|Burundi}}
|13,590,102
|4.0%
|2.81%
|4.8
|0.420
|-
|{{flag|South Sudan}}
|12,703,714
|3.7%
|4.65%
|4.1
|0.381
|-
|'''{{flag|East African Community}}'''
|'''343,328,958'''
|'''100%'''
|'''2.83%'''
|'''4.8'''
|'''0.515'''
|}
The population of the constituent parts of the EAC is composed of 65% under 30-year-olds.<ref name=":42">{{Cite web |title=President Uhuru Kenyatta calls for greater participation of youth in Africa in political and economic affairs |url=https://www.eac.int/press-releases/146-gender-community-development-civil-society/2262-president-uhuru-kenyatta-calls-for-greater-participation-of-youth-in-africa-in-political-and-economic-affairs |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202065014/https://www.eac.int/press-releases/146-gender-community-development-civil-society/2262-president-uhuru-kenyatta-calls-for-greater-participation-of-youth-in-africa-in-political-and-economic-affairs |archive-date=2 February 2023 |access-date=2022-04-29 |website=eac.int}}</ref> This youth bulge is anticipated to grow to 75% of the population under the age of 25 in this region by 2030.<ref name=":42" />

The East African Community's current urban population stands at about 20%.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}

===Languages===

[[English language|English]] is the official language of the EAC. [[Kiswahili]] was designated for development as the [[lingua franca]] of the community in 2000 with [[French language|French]] added as a lingua franca in 2021.<ref name=language>{{Cite news |title=Can EAC speak the same language? A linguistic challenge at Speakers' forum |last=Wangari |first=Mary |date=15 November 2024 |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/eac-speak-same-language-linguistic-challenge-speakers-forum-4823126 |access-date=4 December 2024 |work=The [[EastAfrican]]}}</ref> Given this, there is an ongoing effort to elevate French to an official language, with [[France]] and the EAC signing an agreement in March 2020 to elevate French as an official language of the EAC alongside English.<ref name=language/> France is financing around €42,500 toward the project, which has seen delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic.<ref name=language/> Numerous local languages are also spoken: for example, there are 56 [[Languages of Uganda|local languages spoken]] in [[Uganda]],<ref>"{{cite web |url=http://myuganda.co.ug/uganda-tribes-and-languages |title=Uganda Tribes and Languages |access-date=2014-02-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227033932/http://myuganda.co.ug/uganda-tribes-and-languages/ |archive-date=27 February 2014}}". Uganda Tribes and Languages</ref> 125 in Tanzania, 72 in South Sudan and 67 [[Languages of Kenya|local languages]] in Kenya. [[Kinyarwanda]] is spoken in [[Rwanda]] and Uganda.<ref>"{{cite web |url=http://myuganda.co.ug/uganda-tribes-and-languages |title=Uganda Tribes and Languages |access-date=2014-02-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227033932/http://myuganda.co.ug/uganda-tribes-and-languages/ |archive-date=27 February 2014}}". List of Uganda Tribes and Languages</ref> There are over 200 local languages spoken in the DRC. Lingala is widely spoken in the western Democratic Republic of Congo, with about 15 million speakers and Kiswahili with 23 million speakers across the country.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The four national languages of DRC |url=https://translatorswithoutborders.org/four-national-languages-drc/ |access-date=8 April 2022 |website=Translators without Borders |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Comparison with other regional blocs==
{{update section|date=November 2023}}
{{African Economic Community}}

==See also==
* [[List of East African Community sub regions by Human Development Index]]
* [[17th EAC Extra Ordinary summit]]
* [[CASSOA]]
* [[East African Railway Master Plan|EAC Railway Masterplan]]
* [[East African Federation]]
* [[East African Community Treaty]]
* [[East African School of Taxation]]
* [[Economy of Africa]]
* [[List of Trade blocs]]
* [[International Conference on the Great Lakes Region]]
* [[Intergovernmental Authority on Development]] (IGAD)
* [[Southern African Development Community]] (SADC)
* [[Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa]] (COMESA)
* [[Economic Community of Central African States]] (ECCAS)
* [[Economic Community of West African States]] (ECOWAS)
*[[Rules of Origin]]
*[[Market access]]
*[[Free-trade area]]
*[[Tariffs]]

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

==References==

{{reflist}}

==External links==

{{Commons category}}
* {{official website}}
* [http://www.eastafricans.eu/ East African Community in Europe] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224104140/http://www.eastafricans.eu/ |date=24 February 2012 }}
* [https://www.eacgermany.org/ German and East African Community Cooperation]
* [https://www.worldtradelaw.net/fta/agreements/eacfta.pdf EAC Free Trade Agreement]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140214131007/http://agritrade.cta.int/Regions/ACP/Eastern-Africa ''Agritrade'' Agricultural trade in East Africa]

{{African Trade Agreements}}
{{regional organizations}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:East African Community| ]]
[[Category:1967 establishments in Africa]]
[[Category:1977 disestablishments in Africa]]
[[Category:2000 establishments in Africa]]
[[Category:African Union]]
[[Category:Arusha]]
[[Category:Customs unions]]
[[Category:East Africa]]
[[Category:Economy of Burundi]]
[[Category:Economy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo]]
[[Category:Economy of Kenya]]
[[Category:Economy of Rwanda]]
[[Category:Economy of South Sudan]]
[[Category:Economy of Tanzania]]
[[Category:Economy of Uganda]]
[[Category:Foreign relations of the Democratic Republic of the Congo]]
[[Category:Foreign relations of Kenya]]
[[Category:Foreign relations of Rwanda]]
[[Category:Foreign relations of South Sudan]]
[[Category:Foreign relations of Tanzania]]
[[Category:Foreign relations of Uganda]]
[[Category:International organizations based in Africa]]
[[Category:Regional Economic Communities of the African Union]]
[[Category:Trade blocs]]