CHAPTER 7: ROLE OF REGIONAL ECONOMIC COMMUNITIES (RECs) IN AFRICAN GOVERNANCE 7.1 Introduction This chapter examines the role of Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in African governance in advancing AU shared values, norms, and standards regarding continental unity, development, democracy and elections, and peace and security. RECs are voluntary associations of independent African states whose origins differ, with some dating back to the colonial era. They were formed for different reasons, but are mostly rooted in the desire for economic and political cooperation. Generally, their objectives are to promote regional economic welfare, collective self-reliance, and regional integration. 7.2 The Continental Role of RECs The quest for African unity resulted in the formation of the OAU, which evolved into the AU. The OAU Treaty of 1963, the Lagos Plan of Action of 1980, and the Final Act of Lagos elaborate the principles of African unity, dignity, and status in global affairs. These principles are further expounded in the African Union Agenda 2063, a pan-African reform initiative that confirms the vision of an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful African continent that is independent and internationally recognised.59 The Abuja Treaty of 1991 established the African Economic Community (AEC), and emphasised the importance of solidarity and collective self-reliance, self-sustained and endogenous development strategies, and a policy of self-sufficiency in basic needs.60RECs are regarded as the building blocks of the AEC. The AU has acknowledged the significant roles of RECs in bolstering the efforts of continental integration, and has officially recognised eight. These are the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU), Community of SahelSaharan States (CEN-SAD), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), East African Community (EAC), Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and Southern African Development Community (SADC). 7.3 African Union Instruments on RECs Regional Economic Communities play a key role in regional cooperation and integration, contribute to the establishment of the AEC and coordinate Member States’ interests in peace and security, governance, and development. The relationship between the AU and RECs is defined by the Abuja Treaty and the Constitutive Act of the African Union. The functional relationship between the AU and the RECs is 59The African Union Vision is to “build an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa, driven and managed by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the international arena”. African leaders, at the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the OAU, declared Eight Priorities of the 50th Anniversary Solemn Declaration: African Identity and Renaissance, Continue the Struggle against Colonialism and the Right to Self-determination, The Integration Agenda, Agenda for Social and Economic Development, Peace and Security Agenda, Democratic Governance, Determining Africa’s Destiny,and Africa’s Place in the World (AU Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want). 60Organization of African Unity (OAU), 1991. Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community, 3 June 1991, Abuja, Nigeria Page 81 of 96