Multiplicity of African Regional Economic Communities and Overlapping Memberships: A Challenge for African Integration

Muhabie Mekonnen Mengistu

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijefm.20150305.12

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Multiplicity of African Regional Economic Communities and Overlapping Memberships: A Challenge for African Integration

Muhabie Mekonnen Mengistu

Published in International Journal of Economics, Finance and Management Sciences (Volume 3, Issue 5)

Received: 29 July 2015 Accepted: 10 August 2015 Published: 21 August 2015

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Abstract

The quest for regional integration in Africa has long been entrenched in the history of the continent. Anchored with its diversities, regional integration in Africa has been emerging from the politics of anti-colonialism, but on the basis of pre-existing colonial arrangements. It continues to this date with different shapes and forms. But in general, the journey was a tough and rough. It could be, partly; because of the multiplicity of RECs which deters the forward movement of the integration processes across the continent. Thus, this research was conducted to critically analyze the multiplicity of African Regional Economic Communities and the overlapping membership of African countries in the due process of regional integration. Accordingly, the result of the study shows that the proliferation of RECs complicates the overall continental integration process and put massive strains on the member states ability and resources to cope with diverse agendas and exigencies. Moreover, in this research; complications, contradictions and duplications of activities, the need of ‘Modus Operandi’ due to the variable geometrical integration of countries, overlapping authority, problems of harmonization of policies, high management and financial burdens on the member states were revealed as some of the effects and worries of multiplicity of RECs and overlapping memberships. Hence, eradicating wasteful or costly duplication of multiple memberships and rationalizing some overlapping sub-regional blocs should be a demanding agenda all over the continent.

Published in	International Journal of Economics, Finance and Management Sciences (Volume 3, Issue 5)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijefm.20150305.12
Page(s)	417-425
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2015. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Africa, Regional Integration, RECs, Multiplicity, Overlapping Membership

References

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[5]	Aryeetey, E. and A. Oduro, (1996). Regional Integration Efforts in Africa: An Overview, in J. J. Teunissen (ed). Regionalism and the Global Economy: The Case of Africa. The Hague: FONDAD.
[6]	Biswaro, J.M. (2012). The Quest for Regional Integration in the Twenty First Century: Rhetoric Versus Reality- A Comparative Study. Mkuki Na Nyota Publishers Ltd, Tanzania: Dareselaam.
[7]	Economic Commission for Africa, (2004). Assessing Regional Integration in Africa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
[8]	Evlo, Kodjo. (2001). West Africa Subregion Report. United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Addis Ababa.
[9]	Foroutan, Faezeh and Lant Pritchett (1993) Intra-Sub-Saharan African Trade: is it too Little?, Journal of African Economies, 2(1): 74-105.
[10]	Lyakurwa, William, Andres McKay, Nehemiah Ng’eno and Walter Kennes (1997), Regional Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Review of Experiences and Issues in Oyejide, Ademola, Ibrahim Elbadawi and Paul Collie r (eds.) Regional Integration and Trade Liberalization in Sub-Saharan Africa, Volume I: Framework, Issues and Methodological Perspectives. London: Macmillan.
[11]	McCarthy, C. 1995. Regional integration: part of the solution or part of the problem? In Ellis, S. ed., Africa Now: People, Policies, and Institutions. London, James Currey/Portsmouth, Heinemann.
[12]	Muhabie Mekonnen Mengistu (2015). Ethnic Federalism: A Means for Managing or a Triggering Factor for Ethnic Conflicts in Ethiopia,Journal of Social Science.s Department of Cooperatives, College of Business and Economics, Mizan-Tepi University, Mizan-Teferi, Ethiopia. Vol. 4, No. 4, pp. 94-105.
[13]	Mwanasali, Musifiky (1998). War, Peace, and Reconciliation in Africa. Paper presented at the Organization of African Unity–International Peace Academy Seminar on Peacemaking and Peacekeeping, November 29–December 3, Addis Ababa.
[14]	Radomir Kana and Monika Mynarzova (2015). Global Security and the Role of the European Union. The journal European Business & Management (EBM). Department of European Integration, VSB, Technical University of Ostrava, Faculty of Economics, Ostrava, Czech Republic.
[15]	Rugumamu S., (2004). Africa’s Search for Regional Cooperation and Integration in The 21st Century, The African Capacity Building Foundation, 7th & 15th Floors, Intermarket Life Towers, Harare, Zimbabwe.
[16]	Teshome Mulat (1998). Multilateralism and Africa’s Regional Economic Communities, Journal of World Trade, 32(4): 115-138.
[17]	United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (1996). Economic Empowerment of Women: Progress Report on the Proposed African Bank for Women and Promotion of Women Entrepreneurship. Paper presented at the Sixteenth Meeting of the Technical Thirtieth Session of the Commission, April 24–28, Addis Ababa, and the Preparatory Committee of the Twenty First Meeting of the Conference Whole of Ministers, May 1–4, Addis Ababa.

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Muhabie Mekonnen Mengistu. (2015). Multiplicity of African Regional Economic Communities and Overlapping Memberships: A Challenge for African Integration. International Journal of Economics, Finance and Management Sciences, 3(5), 417-425. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijefm.20150305.12

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Muhabie Mekonnen Mengistu. Multiplicity of African Regional Economic Communities and Overlapping Memberships: A Challenge for African Integration. Int. J. Econ. Finance Manag. Sci. 2015, 3(5), 417-425. doi: 10.11648/j.ijefm.20150305.12

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AMA Style

Muhabie Mekonnen Mengistu. Multiplicity of African Regional Economic Communities and Overlapping Memberships: A Challenge for African Integration. Int J Econ Finance Manag Sci. 2015;3(5):417-425. doi: 10.11648/j.ijefm.20150305.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ijefm.20150305.12,
  author = {Muhabie Mekonnen Mengistu},
  title = {Multiplicity of African Regional Economic Communities and Overlapping Memberships: A Challenge for African Integration},
  journal = {International Journal of Economics, Finance and Management Sciences},
  volume = {3},
  number = {5},
  pages = {417-425},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijefm.20150305.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijefm.20150305.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijefm.20150305.12},
  abstract = {The quest for regional integration in Africa has long been entrenched in the history of the continent. Anchored with its diversities, regional integration in Africa has been emerging from the politics of anti-colonialism, but on the basis of pre-existing colonial arrangements. It continues to this date with different shapes and forms. But in general, the journey was a tough and rough. It could be, partly; because of the multiplicity of RECs which deters the forward movement of the integration processes across the continent. Thus, this research was conducted to critically analyze the multiplicity of African Regional Economic Communities and the overlapping membership of African countries in the due process of regional integration. Accordingly, the result of the study shows that the proliferation of RECs complicates the overall continental integration process and put massive strains on the member states ability and resources to cope with diverse agendas and exigencies. Moreover, in this research; complications, contradictions and duplications of activities, the need of ‘Modus Operandi’ due to the variable geometrical integration of countries, overlapping authority, problems of harmonization of policies, high management and financial burdens on the member states were revealed as some of the effects and worries of multiplicity of RECs and overlapping memberships. Hence, eradicating wasteful or costly duplication of multiple memberships and rationalizing some overlapping sub-regional blocs should be a demanding agenda all over the continent.},
 year = {2015}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Multiplicity of African Regional Economic Communities and Overlapping Memberships: A Challenge for African Integration
AU  - Muhabie Mekonnen Mengistu
Y1  - 2015/08/21
PY  - 2015
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DO  - 10.11648/j.ijefm.20150305.12
T2  - International Journal of Economics, Finance and Management Sciences
JF  - International Journal of Economics, Finance and Management Sciences
JO  - International Journal of Economics, Finance and Management Sciences
SP  - 417
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AB  - The quest for regional integration in Africa has long been entrenched in the history of the continent. Anchored with its diversities, regional integration in Africa has been emerging from the politics of anti-colonialism, but on the basis of pre-existing colonial arrangements. It continues to this date with different shapes and forms. But in general, the journey was a tough and rough. It could be, partly; because of the multiplicity of RECs which deters the forward movement of the integration processes across the continent. Thus, this research was conducted to critically analyze the multiplicity of African Regional Economic Communities and the overlapping membership of African countries in the due process of regional integration. Accordingly, the result of the study shows that the proliferation of RECs complicates the overall continental integration process and put massive strains on the member states ability and resources to cope with diverse agendas and exigencies. Moreover, in this research; complications, contradictions and duplications of activities, the need of ‘Modus Operandi’ due to the variable geometrical integration of countries, overlapping authority, problems of harmonization of policies, high management and financial burdens on the member states were revealed as some of the effects and worries of multiplicity of RECs and overlapping memberships. Hence, eradicating wasteful or costly duplication of multiple memberships and rationalizing some overlapping sub-regional blocs should be a demanding agenda all over the continent.
VL  - 3
IS  - 5
ER  -

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Author Information

Muhabie Mekonnen Mengistu

Institute of Governance, Humanities and Social Sciences, Pan African University, Yaoundé, Cameroon

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APA Style

Muhabie Mekonnen Mengistu. (2015). Multiplicity of African Regional Economic Communities and Overlapping Memberships: A Challenge for African Integration. International Journal of Economics, Finance and Management Sciences, 3(5), 417-425. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijefm.20150305.12

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ACS Style

Muhabie Mekonnen Mengistu. Multiplicity of African Regional Economic Communities and Overlapping Memberships: A Challenge for African Integration. Int. J. Econ. Finance Manag. Sci. 2015, 3(5), 417-425. doi: 10.11648/j.ijefm.20150305.12

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AMA Style

Muhabie Mekonnen Mengistu. Multiplicity of African Regional Economic Communities and Overlapping Memberships: A Challenge for African Integration. Int J Econ Finance Manag Sci. 2015;3(5):417-425. doi: 10.11648/j.ijefm.20150305.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ijefm.20150305.12,
  author = {Muhabie Mekonnen Mengistu},
  title = {Multiplicity of African Regional Economic Communities and Overlapping Memberships: A Challenge for African Integration},
  journal = {International Journal of Economics, Finance and Management Sciences},
  volume = {3},
  number = {5},
  pages = {417-425},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijefm.20150305.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijefm.20150305.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijefm.20150305.12},
  abstract = {The quest for regional integration in Africa has long been entrenched in the history of the continent. Anchored with its diversities, regional integration in Africa has been emerging from the politics of anti-colonialism, but on the basis of pre-existing colonial arrangements. It continues to this date with different shapes and forms. But in general, the journey was a tough and rough. It could be, partly; because of the multiplicity of RECs which deters the forward movement of the integration processes across the continent. Thus, this research was conducted to critically analyze the multiplicity of African Regional Economic Communities and the overlapping membership of African countries in the due process of regional integration. Accordingly, the result of the study shows that the proliferation of RECs complicates the overall continental integration process and put massive strains on the member states ability and resources to cope with diverse agendas and exigencies. Moreover, in this research; complications, contradictions and duplications of activities, the need of ‘Modus Operandi’ due to the variable geometrical integration of countries, overlapping authority, problems of harmonization of policies, high management and financial burdens on the member states were revealed as some of the effects and worries of multiplicity of RECs and overlapping memberships. Hence, eradicating wasteful or costly duplication of multiple memberships and rationalizing some overlapping sub-regional blocs should be a demanding agenda all over the continent.},
 year = {2015}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Multiplicity of African Regional Economic Communities and Overlapping Memberships: A Challenge for African Integration
AU  - Muhabie Mekonnen Mengistu
Y1  - 2015/08/21
PY  - 2015
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijefm.20150305.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijefm.20150305.12
T2  - International Journal of Economics, Finance and Management Sciences
JF  - International Journal of Economics, Finance and Management Sciences
JO  - International Journal of Economics, Finance and Management Sciences
SP  - 417
EP  - 425
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2326-9561
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijefm.20150305.12
AB  - The quest for regional integration in Africa has long been entrenched in the history of the continent. Anchored with its diversities, regional integration in Africa has been emerging from the politics of anti-colonialism, but on the basis of pre-existing colonial arrangements. It continues to this date with different shapes and forms. But in general, the journey was a tough and rough. It could be, partly; because of the multiplicity of RECs which deters the forward movement of the integration processes across the continent. Thus, this research was conducted to critically analyze the multiplicity of African Regional Economic Communities and the overlapping membership of African countries in the due process of regional integration. Accordingly, the result of the study shows that the proliferation of RECs complicates the overall continental integration process and put massive strains on the member states ability and resources to cope with diverse agendas and exigencies. Moreover, in this research; complications, contradictions and duplications of activities, the need of ‘Modus Operandi’ due to the variable geometrical integration of countries, overlapping authority, problems of harmonization of policies, high management and financial burdens on the member states were revealed as some of the effects and worries of multiplicity of RECs and overlapping memberships. Hence, eradicating wasteful or costly duplication of multiple memberships and rationalizing some overlapping sub-regional blocs should be a demanding agenda all over the continent.
VL  - 3
IS  - 5
ER  -

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