Economic Community of Central African States

Economic Community of Central African States

Economic Community of Central African States

The Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) is an inter-governmental organization consisting of 6 member states: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. The ECCAS was established on 28 May 1981 by a treaty called the Treaty for the Establishment of the Economic Community of Central African States. The goal of this organization is to promote economic integration among its members and improve living conditions in the region through development projects. This article will discuss the history, structure and membership of this organization.

Flag of Economic Community of Central African States

Flag of ECCAS
Flag of Economic Community of Central African States

 

Members and Candidates

The Economic Community of Central African States is a regional organization that is intended to promote economic integration and growth in West Africa. It was established on 28 May 1975 by the Treaty of Lagos, with its objectives being to provide a framework for political and economic cooperation in member states. In 2009, ECOWAS adopted its Strategic Plan for 2010-11 through 2020 entitled “Enhancing Competitiveness through Regional Integration.” This plan seeks to integrate the region politically, economically and socially as well as create an environment conducive to business operations throughout the subregion.

ECOWAS consists of 15 member states: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau Liberia Mali Mauritania Niger Senegal Sierra Leone Togo. Angola could join in 2020 after meeting requirements set by ECOWAS’s Accession Protocol.

The East African Community (EAC) is an intergovernmental organisation comprising five countries located on the eastern coast of Africa: Kenya Uganda Tanzania Rwanda Burundi. In October 2007, it was announced that negotiations were underway between Kenya and Tanzania with regard to their plans to form a single official currency union within the next five years; however, at present no timetable has been set for such an agreement.

Flag of ECCAS Members

flag of Angola

Flag of Burundi
Flag of Burundi

Cameroon Flag
Cameroon Flag

Central African Republic Flag
Central African Republic Flag

Chad Flag
Chad Flag

Flag of Congo
Flag of Congo

Equatorial Guinea Flag
Flag of Equatorial Guinea

Gabon Flag
Flag of Gabon

Sao Tome and Principe Flag
Flag of Sao Tome and Principe

Flag of Rwanda
Flag of Rwanda

Structure

The Secretariat, which is the administrative body of the Community, consists of a Secretary General and his Deputy who are both appointed by the Council of Ministers. Each Member State appoints one representative to serve on the Executive Committee. The Parliamentary Assembly (created in 2005) is composed of representatives from each member state who are elected by their respective parliaments. It has three organs: Standing Committee (chaired by Chairperson), Bureau (chaired by Vice-Chairperson) and Plenary Assembly.

The Court of Justice handles disputes arising out of contracts entered into between states or between states and private parties; it also deals with cases concerning human rights violations committed in any territory under its jurisdiction; finally, it oversees elections for parliamentary representatives in all member states except Malawi. A Court of First Instance functions along with this court to hear civil and criminal cases that do not require special expertise beyond that possessed by anyone trained as a lawyer anywhere else in Africa

Timeline of ECCAS

1983 Creation of ECCAS
1992-1998 Period of “hibernation” due to financial difficulties, the conflict in the Great Lakes region, and other crises in member states
1998 Reform process to revive ECCAS, notably by extending its competencies in security
2008 Start of the Mission for the Consolidation of Peace in Central Africa (MICOPAX)
2013 First ECOWAS/ECCAS joint summit (launch of the Yaoundé process)
2018 Joint summit ECOWAS/ECCAS on peace, security, stability, and the fight against terrorism and violent extremism
The following countries have been considered for membership in the Community but have not yet joined:
  • Cameroon
  • Republic of the Congo
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Gabon
  • São Tomé and Príncipe

Conclusion

The Economic Community of Central African States is an intergovernmental organization founded in December 1981. The ECCAS has 15 member nations, which include Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Rwanda and others. The ECCA organizes many conferences and summits throughout its member states to promote cooperation between member countries.

 

Economic Community of Central African States
Economic Community of Central African States