African note

Just whats going on at the common borders with at least five countries in East Africa? Your guess is solid but if what we are getting is something to hold on to, the process of economic integration is moving on with hurricane speed.
The other week, the countries of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi decided to drop their closely guarded sovereignty to form a common market.
Political analysts called the move a positive move that signals that the African continent particularly countries in the east are on the fast lane to be seemingly at par with developments in Western Europe.
What has brought these once-rivaled states together to brush aside their differences and stick to trade as a means of healing festering sores?
As its usual with issues touted to involve a group of countries where at least two international languages French and English a spoken with a little bit of Swahili between, believers and unbelievers spring from all facets.
Believers are of the thought that the common market will bring immense benefit to the member-states once it gets going.
The market’s protocol was signed in November last year to officially take off on July 1. That it is now running is a great feat taking into consideration the wavering decisions of most protocols agreed on by African states that are still in limbo.
Some optimists are already hailing the market as a fight foot forward towards a political and economic strives to a unified East Africa.
They my be right but hasty in their conclusion.
But the reality remains whether Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi will maintain their commitment to the market and would be willing to let the doors remain wide open without putting razor wires between.
Allowing unhindered crossings across borders is not a favorite pastime for many African governments. First is the thought of security. But besides this, even border guards, immigration and health officials and dozens of non-descript are not happy and would frown on such a prospect.
Nothing less than that they would lose the many unofficial business they have been profiting from. Like not bordering whether you have the necessary documents to allow you to make the crossing. Like not have the chance to squeeze those who smuggle.
It might not be an appropriate example but once crossing the Ghanaian border into Togo at Aflao, Togolese gendarmerie would wave you through when there is at least a one US dollar wedge in the middle pages of your passport.
Delay to pay, delay to go, was the slogan. They said openly, ”we have to work for ourselves, brother. Just through in the dollar and have a happy time.”
For the common market, it will mean at least on paper until proven otherwise, people will move freely without hindrance and their goods and services protected.
Taken in isolation, a single African country could hardly achieve the net gains in trade and integration which a group of countries can achieve.
Western Europe has learnt its lesson and benefitting from the proceeds. Now it is Africa’s turn. But it must be remembered that borders in Africa are porous. This means for one officially recognized border there are about 50 creeks and crannies that people and goods can go through undocumented.
Critics said that out of the initial start, Kenya is the economic bone that stands alone. Kenya’s e3conomy by itself has stood the test of time….a feat that will enable it to drag in tow countries like Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania.
Great luck to Kenya for this but on the other hand, it could prove its undoing. On the offside though, Kenya’s trade luck may be the roller coaster for countries in Western Europe and China to take the market seriously and that it is not a fly-by-night.
What ever the case, the commitment to succeed remains paramount. The thousands of people who have trotted across the borders since July 1 is a testimony that it is welcomed. The market itself should be seen as a new beginning and attempt to re-brush Africa as a continent shaping the future of sustainable trade which is aptly