Defence, security and foreign policy pact hallmark of summit

Koborer · Nov 19, 2013

In Summary

The agreement is the clearest signal yet that the three intend to deepen their newfound co-operation outside the framework of the East African Community (EAC) to the controversial exclusion of bloc partners Tanzania and Burundi beyond infrastructure into key policy issues with major ramifications for the region.
However, the signing of the agreements is likely to further deepen the developing schism between the trio and Tanzania, which has become increasingly isolated since the initiative started in Entebbe in June.
Defence, security and foreign policy fall in the realm of the proposed political federation, whose endgame would be the transformation of the bloc into a single political territory. Such an entity is expected to have a unitary policy on defence, security and foreign affairs.