Role Of Political Parties In Regional Integration: Case Study Of East African Community (Eac).

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the role of political parties in regional integration. The study focused the case of East African Community. The success or failure of any regional integration as a matter of fact, largely depends on the role of the political parties; especially the goodwill from political parties. Political parties are key determinants in the realization of regional integration and establishing of regional polity. The main objective of this study was to examine the role of political parties in regional integration and their impact in enhancing the EAC integration agenda. The specific objectives were; to explore challenges facing political parties in their effort to integrate East African Community, to examine an overview of regional integration in EAC and to establish the nexus between political parties and regional integration in EAC. In order to realize these objectives, a questionnaire was drafted and designed with brief, short and precised questions, trying to capture the objectives of this study. A questionnaire was used to collect data as a data collecting instrument. Purposive sampling was employed to arrive at the sampled population. Due to the fact that the research targeted a population of 550 persons, a sample size of 75 respondents as per the table 1.2 was used. The study of this findings revealed that political parties in East African region have done too little to integrate the region politically, economically and socially. It had been envisaged that the East African Federation would be established by 2016. Unfortunately this dream remains a mere dream, for the dream has not seen the light of the day yet. The study also found out that political parties in EAC face myriad of challenges that need to be addressed first so as to achieve full integration. The study concluded that the dream to have East Africa federation polity largely depends on political parties’ role. The main theory used to explain, analyze and predict this study is neo-functionalism. Political parties have the potential to make this dream a reality or thwart this envisaged dream of having a federal state of East Africa. It is also important to note that East African Community integration agenda geared towards establishing a federal state of East Africa is too serious a matter to be solely left in the hands of political parties alone. According to Georges Clemenceau (1841-1929), war is such a serious issue to be left and entrusted to the military men alone. The recommendations of this research were: need for political goodwill from political parties- this would enable political party structures to fasten the process of integration and establishment of a federation, political parties should comprehensively capture regional integration agenda in the drafting of their manifesto, a regional political party centre to be formed; a centre geared towards convergence of political parties’ within the region periodically. The constitutions of all the six member states need to establish a framework to organize the activities and operations of political parties. Political parties are mandated to play a pivotal role in trying to unite the region. Parties need to develop internal self assessment and evaluation mechanisms. Members of Assembly at EALA should derive their mandate through an election and universal suffrage. Political parties, by and large to try and use a wide stakeholder approach as a means to sensitize members of public.