Effects of nationalism on regional integration a comparative study of Tanzania and Kenya in the East African Community (EAC)

Abstract

Africa has reached a point in its history where it has realized the importance and need to unite in order to grow as continent. Unification and strength in numbers is vital in rendering Africa a force to reckon with in an ever changing world. This obvious fact has seen the growth of regional integration within the continent. Regional integration in Africa dates as far as 1900 with the Pan -African movement. This movement gave way to the formation of different regional bodies all aimed at growing Africa. But these bodies have been dogged by a number of hardships which are in some cases geographical, economic and even ideological.

This research paper will focus on a study of the East African Community. The background of the study will focus on the first EAC (1967 - 1977) and the factors that triggered its collapse. The study will then look into the second EAC (2000 - 2010) paying particular attention to Kenya and Tanzania and focus on how nationalism has influenced their respective participation in the EAC. Tanzania feels that integration will force it to open up its borders to strangers who are only after its resources and land, especially considering that it has the largest land mass in comparison to the other EAC members. Tanzania's history is one of Ujamaa and this has fostered a spirit of nationalism that is difficult to circumvent.

The question is, will Tanzania be able to put aside her insecurities and fully integrate so as to see the success of this second attempt of the EAC or is this body doomed to fail like its predecessor? Kenya on the other hand has a sense of nationalism that has been viewed by others as pride. It being one of the most developed countries in the region has made it view integration with a bit of skepticism as it does not wish to be held down by the slow growth and miniature economic development of its counterparts.