A month ago, ECOWAS celebrated its 50th anniversary whilst watching three Sahel states walk away.
Last weekend, Rwanda quit ECCAS after being denied its rightful rotating presidency. The trend is clear: African states are putting their national interests over geographical loyalty when regional blocs become political weapons.
Background Behind ECCAS Bloc Breakdown
The Economic Community of Central African States convened its 26th summit on Saturday in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
Rwanda’s Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente expected to collect the rotating chairmanship, as outlined in Article 6 of the ECCAS treaty. Instead, the bloc decided to give Equatorial Guinea’s presidency another year.
The Democratic Republic of Congo raised concerns about attending any summit in Rwanda due to ongoing bilateral disputes. The bloc responded by postponing Rwanda's presidency until the disagreement between the two neighbours could be resolved.
Geography Cannot Override Political Calculations
Economic blocs succeed when members share common interests, not just borders. Rwanda’s withdrawal proves that geographical proximity means nothing when political disputes infect regional organisations. Both Rwanda and the DRC have accused each other of various violations, building an impasse within ECCAS.
Regional integration requires trust between member states. When bilateral conflicts spill into multilateral forums, the entire organisation suffers. Rwanda claims its rights were violated, whilst the DRC argues security concerns justified the decision.
Similar trends emerge across Africa. ECOWAS imposed sanctions on Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger after military governments took power.
The three countries formed the Alliance of Sahel States and left ECOWAS entirely. Geography could not keep them in a bloc that served opposing interests.
Self-Interest Drives Bloc Membership Today
Modern African states calculate membership benefits before staying committed. Rwanda rejoined ECCAS several years after leaving in 2007, hoping for genuine regional integration. However, ongoing disputes between major members have paralysed the organisation’s effectiveness.
The Rwanda-DRC conflict centres on eastern Congo, where allegations fly in both directions. The DRC accuses Rwanda of supporting M23 rebels, whilst Rwanda points to various armed groups operating from Congolese territory. Both sides present evidence supporting their positions.
Uganda’s recent diplomatic spat with Germany follows similar logic. President Museveni’s government suspended defence cooperation when Berlin attempted to guide domestic affairs. African governments increasingly prioritise sovereignty over external partnerships.
How Bilateral Disputes Poison Regional Blocs
The Rwanda-DRC disputes within ECCAS show how bilateral conflicts can destroy multilateral cooperation. Each side presents detailed accusations against the other, building irreconcilable positions.
Rwanda argues that the DRC has violated ECCAS principles and manipulated the organisation. Kigali points to its exclusion from the 2023 Kinshasa summit and claims systematic discrimination.
The DRC counters that security concerns in eastern Congo justify extraordinary measures. Kinshasa argues that ECCAS leaders acknowledged Rwandan aggression and ordered troop withdrawals. Both narratives contain elements that resonate with different audiences.
Security Trumps Procedural Rights?
Supporters of ECCAS’s decision argue that security concerns override procedural rules. They contend that the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo builds legitimate grounds for postponing normal rotations. Regional stability requires flexibility in applying organisational procedures.
The bloc's supporters claim that Rwanda's backing of M23 rebels justifies extraordinary measures. They argue that allowing an allegedly aggressive state to chair the organisation would harm ECCAS' credibility and regional peace efforts.
Inconsistent Application Destroys Trust
The security argument fails when applied selectively. ECCAS has historically overlooked various member state violations whilst focusing intensely on the Rwanda-DRC dispute. Consistent rule application requires treating all members equally regardless of their size or power.
Rwanda questions why the conflict, which predates the DRC’s 2023 chairmanship, only became problematic when Rwanda’s turn arrived. Such selective application of security concerns harms the organisation’s credibility and member trust.
Return to Economic Fundamentals
African regional blocs must refocus on economic integration rather than political mediation.
ECCAS should prioritise trade liberalisation, infrastructure development, and manufacturing cooperation. Such tangible benefits give members concrete reasons to remain engaged despite bilateral disputes.
Successful regional organisations like ASEAN built prosperity through economic ties before attempting political coordination. The early European Union built interdependence through coal and steel cooperation. African blocs that prioritise politics over economics struggle to maintain cohesion.
Rwanda’s withdrawal should prompt ECCAS to examine its founding principles. The organisation must develop mechanisms for handling bilateral disputes without paralysing multilateral cooperation.
Clear procedures and consistent application build the trust necessary for regional integration.
Final Thoughts on African Integration
Rwanda’s exit from ECCAS shows a broader trend across Africa.
States choose interests over geography when regional blocs become venues for bilateral score-settling. The Alliance of Sahel States offers an alternative model based on shared priorities rather than inherited colonial boundaries.
Other African countries observe developments closely.
Chad's interest in the AES and Uganda's diplomatic rebellion suggest that more departures await organisations that fail to serve member interests effectively.
The old model of elite-driven integration confronts growing resistance. African states want partnerships that build prosperity, not political clubs that amplify existing conflicts. Rwanda’s withdrawal from ECCAS may herald a new chapter in African regional cooperation where functional cooperation trumps geographical accident.
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