Expansion of the East African Community Vis-À-Vis the Nyerere Thinking to African Unity

Abstract

Purpose: African Unity has had a long history since the 1960s when most African countries attained Independence. Two major views occurred in the form of moderates who preferred a gradual step towards African Unity and radicals who favored a now-now step towards Unity. The moderates' camp was led by Julius Nyerere of Tanzania while the radicals' camp was led by Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana. The competing views did not alienate Africans in the quest for unity. They only differed in the pace at which to attain African Unity but were all for Unity. The study examines how the competing views went on side by side and finally as situation come to indicate the moderate view is gaining the upper hand. History has vindicated the moderates as what is actually going on in the name of African Unity is the building of blocks in the form of Regional Economic Communities(RECs) through which African Unity is attained. Apart from touching the whole of Africa, an indicative example is chosen from the East African Community (EAC) as evidenced by the fast-tracking towards integration levels and also the pace at which foreign countries are vying to join the Community.

Methodology: The researcher engaged with interviewees in the cadres of political analysts and scientists and jotted down the ideas pertaining to the two views on African Unity. Literature about African Unity gave a useful touch to the problem in question. Lectures on African Unity compiled in the media like you tube provided another source not forgetting speeches through the same media from persons who were/are actually acquainted with both Nyerere and Nkrumah.

Findings: The outcome of opinions from interviewees, reading literature on African Unity, listening to lectures and speeches from the mass media depicted in general that the majority of Africans preferred a cautious gradual approach and that the process is especially evident in East Africa where cautious fast-tracking and new admissions are the norms hence indicative of Nyerere's thinking for a gradual approach towards African Unity.

Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The achievements attained in the quest towards Unity so far are very much inclined on the block pattern of integration.