When Tanzanian authorities abuse, torture, or deport activists from Kenya and Uganda, and the East African Community (EAC) says nothing, the message is clear:
Regional citizenship offers no protection.
Human rights end at national borders.
The bloc protects governments, not people.
This contradicts the EAC’s core mission of regional unity, integration, and shared progress.
What Must Change
The EAC is at risk of becoming a club of authoritarian states rather than a union of citizens. To stay relevant, it must:
Put human rights at the center of its agenda.
Create independent mechanisms to investigate abuses.
Hold member states accountable for violations.
True unity cannot exist without justice and accountability.
By Ernest Ogwaro
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