Peace and Security
Article 124 of The Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community recognises the need for peace and security within the EAC Partner States. The same article spells out wide-ranging approaches for implementation in order to have a stable and secure environment within the region.
This kind of environment is geared towards promoting development and harmonious living of the people of EAC.
Peace and Security has been acknowledged at EAC level as critical to the creation of the right environment upon which regional integration in all aspects can be fostered.
Strategies on the control of cross border crime ensure the security of persons and goods as they move within the region are continually being developed.
The EAC Regional Strategy for Peace and Security was adopted by the 13th Council of Ministers meeting, held in November 2006, to guide EAC level interventions in the Peace and Security Sector. This strategy covers collaboration on cross-border crimes, auto theft, drug trafficking, terrorism, money laundering, and other crimes. This provides a good and conducive environment in which peace will flourish, and security of persons and property guaranteed hence fostering development.
The Peace and Security Sector remains very committed and dynamic in order to respond to the nature and form of the ever-evolving security threats.
The advancement in technology, knowledge dispersal, and globalisation in all aspects continue to influence crime types and trends. Towards enhancing co-operation in the sector, a Sectoral Council on Interstate Security was established to oversee the implementation of ever-increasing areas of cooperation in interstate security as elaborated in the EAC Regional Strategy for Peace and Security.
Despite isolated insecurity incidents, the whole of the EAC is largely peaceful with exception of South Sudan, which expects to end insecurity through the implementation of the unity government, which took effect on 12th November 2019.