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COORDINATION BETWEEN THE AFRICAN UNION AND REGIONAL ECONOMIC COMMUNITIES TOWARDS ACHIEVING REGIONAL INTEGRATION IN AFRICA

Year 2023, Volume: 1 Issue: 1 - İstanbul Ticaret University Journal of Foreign Trade, 1 - 14, 25.05.2023
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7966582

Abstract

This working paper critically analyses the coordination between the African Union (AU) and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) towards achievement of continental integration. The AU and RECs have a common goal of achieving regional integration. However, little progress has been made, and one of the challenges and criticisms of the institutions’ efforts towards achieving the African Integration Agenda, is poor coordination. The paper examines the AU and RECs’ structures and role as regional integration bodies. Then, the research discusses and evaluates the regulatory frameworks governing coordination; the coordination mechanisms employed; and the principles governing coordination between the institutions. The research asserts that efficient coordination and harmonisation between the AU and RECs is essential to accelerate achievement of the continental integration agenda.

References

  • African Union (2002) Constitutive Act of The African Union.
  • African Union (2008) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Cooperation in the Area of Peace and Security between the African Union, the Regional Economic Communities and the Coordinating Mechanisms of the Regional Standby Brigades of Eastern African and Northern Africa.
  • African Union (2008) Protocol on Relations Between the African Union and the Regional Economic Communities.
  • African Union (2019) African Regional Integration Report: Towards an Integrated and Prosperous and Peaceful Africa.
  • African Union (2019) Division of Labour Between AU Commission, Regional Economic Communities and Member States. MYCM/AU/4(I)Rev.1
  • African Union (2020) African Regional Integration Report: The Status of Regional Integration in Africa Advancing Intra-African Trade for Post-Covid Recovery.
  • African Union (2021) African Integration Report: The Status of Regional Integration in Africa.
  • African Union (2021) Protocol on Relations Between the African Union and the Regional Economic Communities
  • African Union (2022) African Union Handbook 2022.
  • African Union (2023) African Union Website https://au.int/ (Accessed March 2023)
  • African Union (2023) Regional Economic Communities. https://au.int/en/organs/recs (Accessed March 2023)
  • African Union Assembly (2006) Decision on The Moratorium on The Recognition Of Regional Economic Communities (Recs). Seventh Ordinary Session; 1 – 2 July 2006; Banjul, The Gambia. Assembly/AU/Dec.112 (VII)
  • African Union Assembly (2017) Decision on The Outcome of The Retreat Of The Assembly Of The African Union On The Institutional Reform Of The African Union. Assembly/AU/Dec.635(XXVIII)
  • African Union Assembly (2018) Decision on The Institutional Reform. Ext/Assembly/AU/Dec.1-4(XI)
  • African Union Executive Council (2020) Draft Revised Protocol on Relations Between The African Union And The Regional Economic Communities. Thirty-Sixth Ordinary Session. EX.CL/1221(XXXVI)iii.
  • Ani, K. J., & Ojakorotu, V. (2017) Pan-Africanism, African Union and the challenge of transformative development in Africa. Journal of African Union Studies, 6(1), 5-23.
  • Chingono, M and Nakana, S. (2009) The challenges of regional integration in Southern Africa. African Journal of Political Science and International Relations Vol. 3 (10), pp. 396-408.
  • Djilo, F., & Handy, P. S. (2021) Unscrambling subsidiarity in the African Union. ISS Africa Report, 2021(37), p.1-12.
  • Erasmus, G., & Hartzenberg, T (2022) How relevant is the Protocol on Relations between the RECs and the AU.
  • European Council on Foreign Relations (2023) Mapping of African Regional Cooperation. https://ecfr.eu/special/african-cooperation/gulf-of-guinea-commission/ (Accessed March 2023)
  • Haas, E. B. (1958) The uniting of Europe: Political, social, and economic forces, 1950–1957. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.
  • Hartzenberg, T. (2011). Regional integration in Africa. Trade Law Centre for Southern Africa (tralac) Available at SSRN 1941742.
  • Hettne, B & Söderbaum, F (1998) The New Regionalism Approach. Pre-publication manuscript, Politeia, Vol 17, No 3
  • ISS Africa (2019) Defining AU–REC relations is still a work in progress. PSC Report. https://issafrica.org/pscreport/psc-insights/defining-aurec-relations-is-still-a-work-in-progress (Accessed March)
  • Keohane, R. O., & Hoffmann, S. (1990) Conclusions: Community politics and institutional change. In W. Wallace (Ed.), The dynamics of European integration (pp. 276–301). London, UK: Pinter.
  • Keohane, R. O., & Hoffmann, S. (Eds.). (1991) The new European Community: Decision-making and institutional change. Boulder, CO: Westview Press.
  • Kolbeck, B. (2014) Legal analysis on the relationship between the AU/AEC and RECs: Africa lost in a" spaghetti bowl" of legal relations? (Master's thesis, University of Cape Town).
  • Maluwa, T. (2012). Ratification of African Union Treaties by member states: Law, policy and practice. Melb. J. Int'l L., 13, 636.
  • Moravcsik, A. (1991) Negotiating the Single European Act. National Interests and Conventional Statecraft in the European Community. International Organization, 45, 651- 688. 41
  • Moravcsik, A. (1998) The Choice for Europe: Social Purpose and State Power from Messina to Maastricht. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.
  • Moyo, D. (2009) Dead aid: Why Aid Is Not Working and How There Is a Better Way for Africa. Penguin.
  • Mwai, C. (2016) African Union explains delayed response to crises. New York Times https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/131808/News/african-union-explains-delayed-response-to-crises (Accessed March 2023)
  • Nagar, D and Nganje, F (2016) The African Union: Regional and global challenges. Centre for Conflict Resolution.
  • Niemann, A., & Schmitter, P. C. (2009) Neofunctionalism. In A. Wiener, T. Diez, & (eds.), European Integration Theories (S. 45-66). Oxford: Oxford University Press. Oppong, R. F (2010) The African Union, the African Economic Community and Africa’s regional economic communities: untangling a complex web. African Journal of International and Comparative Law, 18, 92. Organisation of African Unity (1980) The Lagos Plan of Action for the Economic Development of Africa, 1980–2000 Organisation of African Unity (1991) Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community. Watts, D. (2008) The European Union: The movement to integration: a theoretical perspective. Edinburgh University Press. http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.3366/j.ctv2f4v635.29(Accessed March 2023) Yihdego, Z. (2011) The African Union: Founding Principles, Frameworks and Prospects. European Law Journal, Vol. 17, No. 5, September 2011, pp. 568–594.

AFRİKA'DA BÖLGESEL ENTEGRASYONU SAĞLAMAK İÇİN AFRİKA BİRLİĞİ VE BÖLGESEL EKONOMİK TOPLULUKLAR ARASINDAKİ KOORDİNASYONU

Year 2023, Volume: 1 Issue: 1 - İstanbul Ticaret University Journal of Foreign Trade, 1 - 14, 25.05.2023
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7966582

Abstract

İşbu araştırma, Afrika Birliği (AfB) ve Bölgesel Ekonomik Toplulukların (BET'ler) arasındaki koordinasyonu kıtasal bölgesel entegrasyonun sağlanmasına yönelik olarak eleştirel bir şekilde analiz etmektedir. AfB ve BET'lerin bölgesel bütünleşmeyi sağlama konusunda ortak bir hedefi vardır. Bununla birlikte, çok az ilerleme kaydedilmiştir ve kurumların Afrika Entegrasyon Gündemi'ni gerçekleştirmeye yönelik çabalarına yönelik zorluklardan ve eleştirilerden biri, zayıf koordinasyondur. Araştırma, AfB ve BET'lerin yapılarını ve bölgesel entegrasyon organları olarak rollerini incelemektedir. Akabinde, koordinasyonu düzenleyen düzenleyici çerçeveleri, kullanılan koordinasyon mekanizmalarını ve kurumlar arasındaki koordinasyonu yöneten ilkeleri tartışıp değerlendirmektedir. Araştırma, AfB ve BET’ler arasındaki verimli koordinasyon ve uyumun, kıta entegrasyon gündeminin başarısını hızlandırmak ve kolaylaştırmak için gerekli olduğu öne sürmektedir.

References

  • African Union (2002) Constitutive Act of The African Union.
  • African Union (2008) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Cooperation in the Area of Peace and Security between the African Union, the Regional Economic Communities and the Coordinating Mechanisms of the Regional Standby Brigades of Eastern African and Northern Africa.
  • African Union (2008) Protocol on Relations Between the African Union and the Regional Economic Communities.
  • African Union (2019) African Regional Integration Report: Towards an Integrated and Prosperous and Peaceful Africa.
  • African Union (2019) Division of Labour Between AU Commission, Regional Economic Communities and Member States. MYCM/AU/4(I)Rev.1
  • African Union (2020) African Regional Integration Report: The Status of Regional Integration in Africa Advancing Intra-African Trade for Post-Covid Recovery.
  • African Union (2021) African Integration Report: The Status of Regional Integration in Africa.
  • African Union (2021) Protocol on Relations Between the African Union and the Regional Economic Communities
  • African Union (2022) African Union Handbook 2022.
  • African Union (2023) African Union Website https://au.int/ (Accessed March 2023)
  • African Union (2023) Regional Economic Communities. https://au.int/en/organs/recs (Accessed March 2023)
  • African Union Assembly (2006) Decision on The Moratorium on The Recognition Of Regional Economic Communities (Recs). Seventh Ordinary Session; 1 – 2 July 2006; Banjul, The Gambia. Assembly/AU/Dec.112 (VII)
  • African Union Assembly (2017) Decision on The Outcome of The Retreat Of The Assembly Of The African Union On The Institutional Reform Of The African Union. Assembly/AU/Dec.635(XXVIII)
  • African Union Assembly (2018) Decision on The Institutional Reform. Ext/Assembly/AU/Dec.1-4(XI)
  • African Union Executive Council (2020) Draft Revised Protocol on Relations Between The African Union And The Regional Economic Communities. Thirty-Sixth Ordinary Session. EX.CL/1221(XXXVI)iii.
  • Ani, K. J., & Ojakorotu, V. (2017) Pan-Africanism, African Union and the challenge of transformative development in Africa. Journal of African Union Studies, 6(1), 5-23.
  • Chingono, M and Nakana, S. (2009) The challenges of regional integration in Southern Africa. African Journal of Political Science and International Relations Vol. 3 (10), pp. 396-408.
  • Djilo, F., & Handy, P. S. (2021) Unscrambling subsidiarity in the African Union. ISS Africa Report, 2021(37), p.1-12.
  • Erasmus, G., & Hartzenberg, T (2022) How relevant is the Protocol on Relations between the RECs and the AU.
  • European Council on Foreign Relations (2023) Mapping of African Regional Cooperation. https://ecfr.eu/special/african-cooperation/gulf-of-guinea-commission/ (Accessed March 2023)
  • Haas, E. B. (1958) The uniting of Europe: Political, social, and economic forces, 1950–1957. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.
  • Hartzenberg, T. (2011). Regional integration in Africa. Trade Law Centre for Southern Africa (tralac) Available at SSRN 1941742.
  • Hettne, B & Söderbaum, F (1998) The New Regionalism Approach. Pre-publication manuscript, Politeia, Vol 17, No 3
  • ISS Africa (2019) Defining AU–REC relations is still a work in progress. PSC Report. https://issafrica.org/pscreport/psc-insights/defining-aurec-relations-is-still-a-work-in-progress (Accessed March)
  • Keohane, R. O., & Hoffmann, S. (1990) Conclusions: Community politics and institutional change. In W. Wallace (Ed.), The dynamics of European integration (pp. 276–301). London, UK: Pinter.
  • Keohane, R. O., & Hoffmann, S. (Eds.). (1991) The new European Community: Decision-making and institutional change. Boulder, CO: Westview Press.
  • Kolbeck, B. (2014) Legal analysis on the relationship between the AU/AEC and RECs: Africa lost in a" spaghetti bowl" of legal relations? (Master's thesis, University of Cape Town).
  • Maluwa, T. (2012). Ratification of African Union Treaties by member states: Law, policy and practice. Melb. J. Int'l L., 13, 636.
  • Moravcsik, A. (1991) Negotiating the Single European Act. National Interests and Conventional Statecraft in the European Community. International Organization, 45, 651- 688. 41
  • Moravcsik, A. (1998) The Choice for Europe: Social Purpose and State Power from Messina to Maastricht. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.
  • Moyo, D. (2009) Dead aid: Why Aid Is Not Working and How There Is a Better Way for Africa. Penguin.
  • Mwai, C. (2016) African Union explains delayed response to crises. New York Times https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/131808/News/african-union-explains-delayed-response-to-crises (Accessed March 2023)
  • Nagar, D and Nganje, F (2016) The African Union: Regional and global challenges. Centre for Conflict Resolution.
  • Niemann, A., & Schmitter, P. C. (2009) Neofunctionalism. In A. Wiener, T. Diez, & (eds.), European Integration Theories (S. 45-66). Oxford: Oxford University Press. Oppong, R. F (2010) The African Union, the African Economic Community and Africa’s regional economic communities: untangling a complex web. African Journal of International and Comparative Law, 18, 92. Organisation of African Unity (1980) The Lagos Plan of Action for the Economic Development of Africa, 1980–2000 Organisation of African Unity (1991) Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community. Watts, D. (2008) The European Union: The movement to integration: a theoretical perspective. Edinburgh University Press. http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.3366/j.ctv2f4v635.29(Accessed March 2023) Yihdego, Z. (2011) The African Union: Founding Principles, Frameworks and Prospects. European Law Journal, Vol. 17, No. 5, September 2011, pp. 568–594.
There are 34 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Journal Section Araştırma Makalesi
Authors

Perpetua Magoke

Mim Kemal Öke

Early Pub Date May 25, 2023
Publication Date May 25, 2023
Published in Issue Year 2023 Volume: 1 Issue: 1 - İstanbul Ticaret University Journal of Foreign Trade

Cite

APA Magoke, P., & Öke, M. K. (2023). COORDINATION BETWEEN THE AFRICAN UNION AND REGIONAL ECONOMIC COMMUNITIES TOWARDS ACHIEVING REGIONAL INTEGRATION IN AFRICA. İstanbul Ticaret Üniversitesi Dış Ticaret Dergisi, 1(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7966582