Unilateralism, national interests and regional integration in the East African Community

One of the challenges facing integration processes worldwide is balancing between unilateralism and collectivism in the pursuit of national interests. Since the establishment and reestablishment of the East African Community (EAC) in 1967 and 2000, respectively, unilateral decisions by partner states in pursuit of their respective national interests have not only undermined the regional integration process but continue to slow down the achievement of its objectives. Using Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda to mirror the EAC, this study examines how unilateralism and the pursuit of national interests affect the integration process. The paper finds that while the pursuit of national interests contributed to the establishment of the EAC regional cooperation in the colonial period and its re-establishment in an increasingly highly globalised period, it has equally undermined the effective implementation of the regional integration agenda. The paper utilises secondary data and situates the study within the Neo-realism and Rational Choice Theories of International Relations. It recommends greater political will and respect for all the statutes of the Community. Secondly, partner states are to respect the Community's institutions and promote good governance, the rule of law, including holding free, fair, and credible elections.