The Bigger Picture : Federating EA is a long shot

I am happy to inform those who read the first segment of this article that I have been motivated enough to have a weekly column on issues related to our larger community which we are chasing as East Africans. My argument is that the Federation is a long shot. Part of my argument is that the three years left are not enough. We actually need more bonding given the fact that as a community we come from a very volatile background. Thus, before we ascend to the political federation individual member countries need to undertake critical housekeeping duties before talking about fast tracking the larger community issues. My take is that consensus on federating will most likely take longer if consensuses on national issues have not been thrashed out adequately. Put it in another way individual member countries need to fast track housekeeping issues before fast tracking community issues. I had talked about Kenya. I will now dwell on the second community member, Uganda. UgandaUganda’s case is a bitter-sweet story. Bitter in the periods prior to the Museveni years. The yearss before Museveni moved into Nakasero were characterized by severe contradictions in Uganda. These were periods of conflict, insecurity, violations of human rights and dictatorial policies by the Obote and Amin regimes. The Museveni bush war and drive to power brought much redress. This ushered in ‘the sweet’ period for Uganda. However in the process his rather long stay at Nakasero has become a hot issue within regional political analysis. Being in power since 1986 forms one of the key concerns about a post-Museveni political dispensation in Uganda. My question is addressed to Ugandans from the experience emanating from Kenya’s current crisis. How will Ugandans craft a better transitioning mechanism within their national political system? Kenya’s transition is its predicament at the moment. If so then will Uganda fall in this path too? Kenya’s post Moi dispensation, who stayed in power for 24 year, is proving to be a bitter pill to swallow. In 2012 Museveni who has not clearly exhibited intentions of giving up power will be in office for a record 26 years. He will in effect be the longest serving Head of State East Africa will have ever seen. One of the reasons he has advanced for his continuity in power is his wish to see East Africa politically unite. His agenda on this issue is, if you know him, well, it is quite elaborate. This has raised another issue within regional politics-Is Museveni habouring hidden ambitions to be East Africa’s first president? To me such a case will elicit a lot of emotions. The positive flip side is that Museveni deserves close attention when he is giving his views on integration. I had read carefully his thoughts on regional groupings which is actually the key thrust of this article. He has lofty dreams on how Africa can craft a road map. During his address on COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite arrangement, Museveni provided key insights on how Africa ought to move. He provided what I can say is accurate philosophical, ideological and political underpinnings on how we need to move in order to integrate. This is good. But the man’s sunset years is here with us. Next I will look at Tanzania. Ojiwah@gmail.com