Operationalization of Regional Protocols
Abstract
The East African Protocol on peace and Security was established in 2013 by the EAC
member states to aid in the securitization processes of the sub-region. This was a positive
move seen in light of departure from the traditional conceptualization of security as an
exclusive domain of states to the non- traditionalist conceptualization which expands the
scope of security beyond state to non- state actors and issues to be securitized beyond
military concerns to encapsulate new and emerging global challenges. More than four
years into its signing, the protocol is yet to be fully operationalized with measured
success into its implementation. As a legal instrument, its framework is yet to be
institutionalized and its ratification by the member states is low. The challenges it sought
to address continue unabated with two member of the EAC member states; South Sudan
and Burundi, in serious internal conflict almost rendering South Sudan as a failed new
state. Terrorism, cattle rustling, Cyber-crime, Money laundering, refugee crisis among
other challenges remain rife. The study identifies lack of political goodwill as a key
obstacle to the operationalization and full implementation of the protocol. EAC countries
are not ready to sufficiently cede their sovereignty and pursuit of their respective
National power and interest at the Altar of joint collective security. Provisions of the
protocol which advance democratic principles, good governance and respect for human
rights are seen as an affront to the long established mantra of “ non- interference to the
internal affairs of states”. Other obstacles identified relate to coordination challenges,
financial challenges, lack of technical advisory support, institutionalization challenges,
poor consensus building, poor public participation, marginalization of targeted
communities, and incompatibility of local cultural values with universal values within the
protocol. The study has recommended various options for enhancing the
operationalization and implementation of the protocol key to which is cultivation of the
political goodwill necessary and sufficient for the ratification and domestication of the
protocol, steady funding, aligning cultural values to universal values through legislating
against retrogressive cultural practices, improved coordination through strengthening of
institutions envisaged in the protocol amongst other recommendations.
Publisher
University of Nairobi
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United StatesUsage Rights
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/Collections
The following license files are associated with this item: