What are Rwanda’s benefits in accession to EAC ?

By John Karekezi, a retired teacher - 14th-June 2007

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It is now common knowledge that Heads of States in the East African Community (EAC) will formalize Rwanda’s accession to the economic bloc by signing an Accession Treaty on June 18 at an extra-ordinary summit in Uganda’s, Kampala. Burundi is the other country joining the bloc on the same date.

The event that will be a landmark in Rwanda’s history and in the region in general is a climax of a chain of forerunners at the national level.

Among others include; the establishment of a regional integration committee by Cabinet, Adoption of a negotiations strategy, establishment of 11 sub-committees, launching of an awareness campaign and Rwanda’s admission to EAC. Rwanda was officially admitted to the EAC in November2006.

Should June18 be a day of Jubilation for Rwandans? When I closely look at the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of Rwanda’s population, trade barriers, the country’s landlockedness and other barriers to fast development - Rwanda could hardly overcome in isolation - I feel there is need to keep the date in anticipation.

Ambassador Dr Richard Sezibera, Special Presidential Envoy to the Great Lakes Regeion revealed to this reporter on phone recently that Rwanda’s effective entry to EAC is likely to take place on July1 after the Rwandan Parliament has effectively discussed the issue.

The timing of Rwanda’s accession tallies with the roadmap drafted by the Wako Committee, on the Fast Tracking the East African Political Federation which among others set December 2007 as the time for the completion of the negotiations on the Common Market. By then, Rwanda will be a full fledged member of the EAC. In the African society, relatives looked forward to marriage of relatives for many reasons.

Marriage was simply a formality but the essence of marriage was procreation, creation of alliance between families and social security. Similarly, the Accession Treaty, though it is a binding agreement, is simply a formality. What do Rwandans need to remember as they anticipate the event? There are many tangible benefits

Rwanda’s benefits During this year’s government retreat at Akagera Hotel in the Eastern Province, President Paul Kagame said Rwanda needs a vibrant, enlightened, knowledgeable and critical media to translate and interpret issues of national interest. It is in the same vein that I feel obliged to communicate in a few sentences the benefits of Rwanda’s accession to the EAC.

Under the present demographic and socio-economic characteristics, it is crystal clear that Rwanda can hardly realize fast development if it continues existing in isolation. Further, with its unique history progress would remain a dream for the 1994 Genocide disputed her economy in several ways.

Thirteen years ago, Rwanda was teetering on the brink of economic depression. It had already reached the climax of political bankruptcy and putting it on the road to recovery has not been an easy process.

Most of the highly skilled people were killed and others fled the country. According to Linda Melvern, an acclaimed international reporter, about 48 journalists were killed during the Genocide. The scenario left a big vacuum of manpower and capital that might take the country decades of years of hardwork and good governance to be filled.

Demographically, close to one third of the population are children (approximately 3m). Thus, the dependency ratio is likely to be the highest in the region. All such facts directly impact negatively on the economy.

The demographic and socio-economic problems, without doubt, can only be solved by joining a wider community. The relatively high poverty levels, basically attributed to low levels of economic activity, high dependency ratio, low craftsmanship and entrepreneurship are responsible for low savings, investment and production.

Therefore, by joining the EAC chances of attracting more potential investors will ostensibly increase to realize a high level of economic activity. The higher the level of industrialization, the higher the rate of job creation. As a result, more Rwandans will be employed.

Set in motion, will be the advantages of a big population. With the entry Burundi and Rwanda, the EAC has a total population of over 100 million people. This implies a wider market.

Removal of tariffs and non tariff barriers to trader will automatically lead to increased volume of trade and production. According to official information even within COMESA, Rwanda’s trade is mainly with EAC member states absorbing 95 per cent of her exports. In other words, the anticipated increase in the volume of trade has a precedent.

It is indisputable, Rwandans have common historical links with EAC partner states. During Rwanda’s turbulent years, a good number of Rwandans lived in these countries and certainly have links with their counterparts.

Linguistically, Kinyarwanda is one of the widely understood languages in the countries like Burundi, Tanzania and Uganda. Therefore, Rwandans will conveniently carry out trade in the region. Besides, Rwandans share many cultures with their counterparts in the economic bloc.

The community to which Rwanda subscribes will have a stronger bargaining power in matter s of security, economic and political matters. The community will sell its interests on the world scene as an entity as opposed to individual countries.

Rwanda will certainly benefit from the fruits of developed infrastructures in the fields of transport (roads, ports, and airports), education, health and security. For instance, our universities will twin with other universities in the region. This will be solution to the alarming shortages of lectures, equipment, instructional materials and so for fourth.

Increased cooperation on trans border issues and challenges. Border misunderstandings related to the environment, health, tourism et cetera will be history after accession. Thus, the concept of comparative advantage is likely to benefit Rwanda as member states will strive to eliminate unhealthy competition. Does the EU offer lessons for the EAC?

After 50 years of existence, we realize that the European integration has been instrumental in preserving peace between European states. It is unthinkable today that member states will go to war with one another. By joining the EAC, Rwanda will be more peaceful than before.

The government of Rwanda recognizes this fact. Recently, during the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the EU, the Minister of State in Charge of Cooperation, Rosemary Museminari, echoed the government’s awareness that peace and security enjoyed by Europeans are traced to the EU.

She said: “We wish to hail the success story of the European Union in bringing together the European Continent and institutionalize peace and security as well as economic prosperity in countries that had been devastated by the several wars and their equally traumatizing effects! Your success and prosperity is both a challenging lesson to our region and continent as well as a strong reason for us to hope and to work hard to reap the fruits of integration.”

She added: “You will be both surprised and happy to learn that our cooperation between the regional groupings that Rwanda is a member in, places us in about the same number of countries as those in the EU (COMESA, CPJL, EAC, ECCAS)”.

According to official sources, the EU has given way to economic and political rebirth of Europe on the international scene in the post-war period. The European development policy can be traced to the Treaty of Rome. It is a reflection, the expression of the European model based on solidarity, the respect of human rights and the rule of law.

The European development policy, the sources further reveal, shows Europe’s added value in the foreign affairs of the European Union. It makes it possible to arrive at common solutions to the challenges faced by member states, which they cannot face alone. For instance, the aforesaid policy enables the union to be more effective in the resolution of regional conflicts.