East African nations to pursue political "confederation": Kenyan official

The East African Community (EAC) member states will pursue a political confederation as a final step in the regional integration process, a Kenyan official said on Wednesday.

Judy Njeru, a senior assistant director in Kenya's Ministry of EAC Affairs, said in Nairobi the member states have decided on a confederation model instead of a political federation as earlier envisaged.

"The partner states are of the view that a confederation where countries will retain sovereignty in some areas is desirable," Njeru said.

EAC member states include Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan.

"Experts will then be tasked to advise on the areas to be covered under the pooled sovereignty," Njeru said.

Njeru said that the coming into force of the EAC political confederation will have a major impact on the political structure, monetary and fiscal policies of the member states.

However, she said all EAC citizens will need to be sensitized before the plan is fully implemented.

In Kenya, a Cabinet Memorandum on the EAC Political Confederation has been developed in order to enhance public sensitization.

Njeru said that the confederacy will be achieved through gradual and incremental cooperation in a number of specified areas such as defense, security and foreign affairs.

"Measures toward this form of cooperation are already taking place through the harmonization of the education systems and curricula as well as cooperation in health," she added. Endit