Pacific settlement of disputes: a case study of the East African Community

Abstract

The world has seen an emergence of many regional trade blocks' created as a positive way of fostering international relations and gaining a competitive edge in the world market. However,conflicts between party states are not uncommonand there is. always need to. have in place efficient dispute resolution mechanisms that will ensure the peaceful and swift resolution of any such disagreements. It is important therefore that the drafters of international instruments creating the regional blocks bear this in mind as they draft the treaties or conventions.

This paper shall look at the pacific settlement of international disputes by discussing the various conventions and protocols that have been entered into since 1899, establishing different peaceful international dispute resolution mechanisms. The paper shall further look at the Treaty for East African Community and other instruments creating the East Africa Community, so as to establish the weaknesses in these instruments especially in providing for dispute resolution. The paper shall finally discuss the important lessons that can be learned from the pacific settlement of international disputes and make recommendation for the strengthening of the legal and institutional framework of the East African Community for its effective regional integration.