




Is the line working? Are there someone answering on the other side? Did we dial the number correctly? Is the East African Community (EAC) functional or is a front?
I don’t know… but things aren’t splendid at the moment. There are several of cases pending and issues going on, which says otherwise. While the EAC Secretariat is busy pleading to the nations of finding amicable responses. There is little to no feedback or concern about these statements.
Yes, the Tanzanian authorities barred Kenyan Airways today. While Kenyan high ranking officials had spoken ill of the Rwandan regime and they wanted another sort of apology in return, which we have never heard. The Ugandan authorities on the other hand has suspended the imports of petrol through Kenya and has sued the Kenya cartels in the EAC Courts.
The Democratic Republic of Congo have on the other hand gone after Rwanda and said if it doesn’t stop the “proxy war” inside the DRC. Kinshasa might invade Kigali in the future. That’s not a good look for the EAC and having the DRC as one of the newest members of it.
Burundi has also dwelled into murky waters over a “claimed” Rwandan supported proxy militia attacking on Burundian soil. Which has resulted in the closure of borders to Rwanda and suspending diplomatic ties with Kigali. Therefore, things aren’t looking good.
Neither of these things are new in the EAC. There been closure of borders between Uganda-Rwanda in past. There been blockade of trading certain goods between Uganda-Kenya like Chickens. The Kenyan authorities has blocked certain trades with Somalia, which has also become a member of the EAC. Therefore, there is no common market or protocol that opens up for a true free flow of goods, yet.
The ones leading the EAC must have a headache. There is no solemn peace or gratitude. Only more grievances and more work to fix things. The South Sudanese and the President in Juba must feel the plight of the chair. This time around it isn’t only fixing on issue or a diplomatic spat over some contested rock or policy. No, it is real life consequences and things that can spiral out of hand. There is guns and money involved here and this is why President Kiir needs advisors who can navigate this with care.
The EAC needs mediation and better one than the ones that issued after the 2015 General Elections in Burundi. The Inter-Dialogue that was sponsored there was fruitless and hot-air, which is why the CNDD-FDD isn’t caring about transparency or accountability for its actions. This will not help when Juba calls Gitega and asks for a mediation process between them and Kigali. No, this here will be a prolonged stalemate, unless Mbeki or someone Goodluck Jonathan or something comes with some magic juices to salvage the hurt of the parties.
Alas, that will be needed between Tanzania-Kenya, Uganda is using the mechanisms, but at the same time Nairobi cannot be kiddy about the claims or the end-game. As Dodoma is getting the cash and the export-tariffs through it’s ports instead.
The DRC-Rwanda will be a forever debacle and as long the historical ties between proxies and Kigali exists. This will not be sorted out by the EAC and the EAC Force is already history. The SADC has come in, but we don’t know if it will stop the insurgency or the militias operating in the DRC. Most likely it will not as it has been a root cause of evil for decades now and foreign operates has profited of the slaughter and the “blood resources” of the DRC. That never changes and the EAC will not be able to stop that either.
The EAC seems like a good idea on paper, but when it lack resources, manpower and an army to run it. There is little to add weight other than the President residing on the throne temporarily and the hopes of good gestures. There is a need for humility and respect of fellow peers, but that’s maybe to much to ask, as the rising arrogance and self-serving interests are more important than winning hearts across the border. That’s why neighbours spats and we are seeing these acts happening in our time.
The EAC is maybe crumbling, but that’s not Kiir’s or the South Sudanese fault. They are just at the helm at the wrong time. The ones in office and who carries the heavy load. At one point they might have wished better fortunes, but this is the cards they are dealt.
It is not fair and it never is. There is a need for redemption and for talks. If the parties will, it would be splendid. The cases between Kenya-Uganda and Tanzania-Kenya could be settled rather easily, but the ones between DRC-Rwanda and Burundi-Rwanda is much more hostile. These will take some serious negotiations and dialogue, which would need foreign intervention or possible respected statesmen from far away to support the talks. Peace.












“A country like Uganda wasted a lot of time-fighting and so on, when we settled down, we started producing and very soon we realised that the internal market was not enough for milk, maize, sugar, among other products. The second reason is strategic security. How can you be secure in the world? The third reason is undugu, we are even lucky that we have Swahili as the East African language, we can all speak Swahili. Therefore, it is easy for us to unite. This is why some of us under the leadership of Mwalimu Nyerere, for the last more than 60 years have been struggling for East African integration” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (24.11.2023).
After all these years and with the new Member Nations in the East African Community (EAC), Somalia. There should be jubilation and celebration, as it wasn’t a long ago that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) became a member and before that was South Sudan. The EAC has grown, but it got growing pains.
President Museveni should know all of this, because he has seen it all happening in front of his own eyes. What is striking to me… as a man speaking of markets and market integration. A lot of his own works and direct policies has been deterrent of this. Alas, they have been counterproductive.
The President and his party has been so hostile that it has caused trade-wars over chickens. Had spats over a tiny island in the Lake Victoria. It has had issues with importation of fuel and gas. If not it has caused a stir by choosing which port to have the petroleum pipeline from the Albertine Graben and to the Sea. Not forget the prolonged blockade and blocking of entry between Rwanda and Uganda. Therefore, he has seen the “brotherhood” and what it is worth.
The EAC needs guidelines and codes of conduct. The Sovereigns are still in the realm of deciding all on their own terms. There isn’t a policy or statute made by the EAC, which makes the East African Community a Common Trading Market like the Member States of the European Union. If the EAC had done something similar. Then the Ugandan President could speak very smoothly about the brotherhood. As that would open up the markets and ease the logistics between the nations. However, that isn’t the case as of today.
The EAC have created a Monetary Union in 2013, but to see that being beneficial for trading or movement of goods. That is another issue that the Heads of State hasn’t resolved or come with a resolution to fix it. This is why it is a bit odd to read parts of Museveni’s speech today.
Museveni wants to be seen as a statesman and of the old school. That his the wise man who has lived through the ages. Regardless of that, when he has such vast amount of experience. He should be the guy to come with wisdom and ways to get things moving along. However, that never seems to happen, because he knows he cannot order people around like headless chickens outside his domain. Therefore, he gets nowhere and have to sound more profound outside his turf.
President Museveni speaks easily of uniting, but I have just seen otherwise over the years. I am just awaiting another trade-war and spat between Government of Uganda, and one of their neighbours. That just happens and usually over petty things or allegations. This is why the recent outburst of fuel cartels and whatnot in Kenya is just souring the grapes between the nations. Instead of trying to find mechanisms to resolve it. The President just ordered to cease importation and get it through Tanzania instead. This shows how the EAC isn’t totally working and it is simple choices that is the final factor in decisions.
If the markets was truly integrated into a common market, which was open for everyone and with secure mechanisms and tribunals for grievances. The trading in the EAC would be totally different. Right now that’s not happening, because the Sovereigns wants a say and want to keep their integrity intact. Therefore, the brotherhood is in words, but not in actions. Peace.




The Force Commander inspected an Honour Guard by peacekeepers from Nepal deployed in Rumbek, following which he went to meet state Governor, General Rin Tueny Mabor.
LAKES STATE, South Sudan, November 17, 2023 – It’s been a busy November for Lieutenant-General Mohan Subramanian, Force Commander of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
From briefing the 27th annual conference of the International Association of Peacekeeping Training Centres in Kenya, where he spoke about the vital work done by UN Peacekeeping missions and the importance of protecting civilians caught in complex conflict situations to flying to Lakes state’s capital, Rumbek to get a firsthand update on the security situation on the ground, the top military man at UNMISS is rarely still.
“My primary objective in constantly visiting our deep field locations is simple: you can’t direct Blue Helmets in the world’s largest peacekeeping mission to protect civilians without having an in-depth knowledge of their respective areas of operation,” revealed Force Commander Subramanian.
Upon his arrival, the Force Commander inspected an Honour Guard by peacekeepers from Nepal deployed in Rumbek, following which he went to meet state Governor, General Rin Tueny Mabor.
“Peacekeeping is all about partnerships and we work with the Government and the people of South Sudan to ensure that civilians are safe and receive necessary support. It’s been a fruitful meeting with Governor Mabor where we discussed security aspects as well as the vital work done by UNMISS engineers in infrastructure rehabilitation across Lakes, especially road repairs,” stated Lieutenant-General Subramanian.
In a country where the long rainy season renders most roads impassable, such repairs are vital to ensure humanitarian aid can reach the most vulnerable, communities can trade as well as access medical facilities and, critically, peacekeepers can deploy swiftly to protect those who are caught in conflict or prevent such violence in the first place.
“The work done by uniformed engineers across South Sudan is now more critical than ever, as the country approaches its first post-independence elections,” said the Force Commander.
“A high priority project is the main supply route connecting Lakes state to neighbouring state capitals, Wau and Bentiu. Once finished, not only will this road be a lifeline for communities, but will also enable prompt and expanded security deployment, even during the rainy season,” he averred, adding that the UN Peacekeeping mission would be widening its footprint to 11 additional locations to provide more comprehensive protection in conflict prone areas.
For his part, Governor Mabor, requested assistance in rehabilitating certain key roads in Maper, while welcoming the deployment of UNMISS troops here.
“The rehabilitation of Maper’s roads and infrastructure is essential and with the invaluable support of UNMISS, we look forward to giving momentum to this goal. This collaboration reflects our shared dedication to fostering a secure and prosperous environment for local communities,” stated the Governor.
Before the day came to a close, Force Commander Subramanian also met with military observers serving for peace in Lakes.