Observatory on Regional Integration in Africa
Important milestones in terms of strengthening SADC’s regional integration agenda include macroeconomic convergence. The Memorandum of Understanding on Macroeconomic Convergence that was signed in 2002, and is annexed to the Protocol on Finance and Investment signed in 2006, stipulates that member States should converge and cooperate on economic policies to promote stability and economic growth[1].
The SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) was first developed and approved in 2003 for a 15-year period, but its implementation became effective as from 2005, thus giving an implementation time-frame of 2005-2020. The RISDP is the main blueprint for the SADC, providing a clear direction for SADC policies and programmes over the long term.[1] Nevertheless, even before the RISDP, SADC had trade protocols in place.
In April, 1980 the Southern Africa Coordination Conference (SADCC) was created to advance the cause of national political and economic liberation in Southern Africa. In July 1981, a Memorandum of Understanding came into force which formalized the establishment and operations of the organization.
The harmonization of sectoral policies is mentioned in two sections of the Agreement Establishing IGAD. Article 7 indicates the promotion of macroeconomic policies and programmes in the social, technological and scientific fields; the harmonization of policies with regard to trade, customs, transport, communication, agriculture, natural resources; as well as the promotion of free movement of goods, services, people and the establishment of residence.
The objectives of IGAD, as outlined in the Agreement Establishing IGAD, states that IGAD is strongly committed to the promotion and maintenance of peace, security and stability in the region. This commitment includes the creation of mechanisms for the prevention, management and resolution of inter-State and intra-State conflicts through discussion.
The 1996 Agreement Establishing IGAD stipulates that member States agree to develop and expand cooperation to gradually harmonize their fiscal and monetary policies.[1] The IGAD Strategy adopted in 2003, states that economic cooperation is one of three priority sectors for IGAD. Macroeconomic policy convergence, however, is vaguely covered in the Strategy.[2] One of the major issues is that there is no specific timeline set for member States’ gradual harmonization of fiscal and monetary policies.
Trade and market integration in IGAD has lagged behind, in comparison to other regional economic communities’ implementation of trade agreements. In January 2012, the Heads of State and Government endorsed a Minimum Integration Plan where economic cooperation and integration was one of the priority areas of cooperation. In this context, the IGAD Secretariat works with member States towards harmonizing trade policies, procedures and standards to boost trade in the IGAD region.
ECOWAS member States are reaffirming their commitment to ensure the harmonisation and coordination of national policies and the promotion of integration programmes, projects and activities of ECOWAS as indicated by Article (3) of the Revised Treaty of ECOWAS. Particularly in the areas of: food, agriculture and natural resources, industry, transport and communications, energy, trade, money and finance, taxation, economic reform policies, human resources, education, information, culture, science, technology, services, health, tourism as well as in legal matters.
The Treaty of Lagos from 1975 did not contain components relating to the issues of peace, security, stability and governance. The maintenance of regional peace, stability and security through the promotion and strengthening of good neighborliness was therefore incorporated to the Revised Treaty of ECOWAS in 1993 as one of the fundamental principles outlined in Article (4). However, due to the regional instability in the ECOWAS region, member States adopted the Protocol on Non-Aggression in 1978.