Why the East African Community Needs Rwanda

Posted 05 October 2006 @ 02:38 pm EET     Print     Reprint     E-Mail     Comments

Kigali (IBTimes.com) - The debate on whether or not Rwanda and Burundi should be included in the East African Community (EAC) has existed since the concept of re-igniting the regional union several years ago. Internally, the will to federate in East Africa has always seemed crippled by instincts of self preservation arising out fear of domination by a 'superior state' over 'weaker' ones.

On the other hand, there is the question of whether or not to welcome Rwanda and Burundi to the community. The underlying question being, "What comparative advantages do these nations have to bring to the table?"

On January 21, 1999, the inclusion on the agenda of the question whether Rwanda should be admitted to the EAC caused a heated debate during a preparatory meeting attended by the three Foreign Ministers.

The Ugandan delegation wanted Rwanda to be admitted, but Tanzania disagreed arguing that it was not possible to admit new members at that stage, as the procedure for doing so was still being debated. The proposal by Uganda was defeated when the Tanzanian and Kenyan delegates voted against it.

This writer details some of the few benefits that Rwanda could bring to the community once admitted. Methane Gas Project;

A solution to sustainable energy

The science is simple; human beings inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. Closer to the deepest point of the Western Rift Valley lives in plenty, a life form known as archaea; this creature consumes carbon dioxide to produce methane gas.

The methane gas in Lake Kivu amounts to 55 billion cubic meters just about enough to sort out Rwanda's energy problems for more than 1,000 years. But with the archaea not being endangered species, the reserves shall be constantly refilled every time the archaea breathe, hence sustainable energy.