This is because several such commitments have been made before at the bilateral or regional levels, but quickly discarded due to suspicion and mistrust. Its core thrust is free movement of goods, persons, labour, capital and services as well as the right to establish business. Kenya, for instance, is accused of imposing non-tariff barriers on Ugandan goods that block free trade. Uganda’s traders perpetually complain of Kenya’s protectionist practices as well as logistical hindrances that curtail free movement of goods from Mombasa to the border, and which raise the cost of doing business. They have strong geo-historical and socio-economic ties that should not be severed at the altar of political expediencies.

Source: Daily Nation March 27, 2019 20:15 UTC