Last week, the Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly critiqued EAC partner states that have failed to fully implement the Common Market and Customs Union protocols as agreed.Since the two instruments were signed, some partner states have demonstrated commitment to implement the protocols while others have not.It is unfortunate that the partner states are not addressing integration matters with the same sense of urgency.The advantages that come with integration are numerous. However, they cannot be realised unless the partner states work together when implementing such protocols.For instance, despite the standing Common Market protocol on free movement of goods and services, reports indicate that some countries still remain closed.Besides, some partner states still levy taxes on goods originating from partner countries, contrary to the 2010 Customs Union. There are also recurrent complaints from EAC traders about the existence of Non-Tariff Barriers (NTB), which has kept the cost of doing business high, especially for the land locked countries.It is important that member states urgently domesticate EAC protocols and repeal laws that contradict the integration spirit and agreements.Otherwise, it would appear a futile endeavour to push for the next integration stages; monetary union and then Political Federation, if members cannot implement simpler protocols according to plan.
