Cirwaaq wrote:Freedom of trade, cross border migrations, somalinimo in fact all the things that matter could never be restricted as is evident between S.land and P.land.
This is a step in the right direction and the resulting regional security will promote greater cooperation between the neighbours.
Closer Economic integration will ultimately mean closer inter-dependency of Somali States in the Somali peninsula (Somaliland, Somalia and Djibouti, autonomous regions of Ogendia and NDF in Kenya), not to mention the vast number of Somalis in the diaspora with economic clout and investment. The Somali region in Africa will be improved significantly and our people will enjoy a supremely high quality of life than the squalor they currently endure.
We could have a customs union and free movement of goods and people. This could potentially lead to political integration in the long run but must be underpinned by interest, particularly that of economic interest and dependence, almost akin to the European Union. However all countries must be independent and have the right to choose their destiny.
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See this article for a basic crux of the east African common market. This is what the Somali Common Market could perhaps become.
Arican Countries Form a Common Market By JOSH KRON
BUJUMBURA, Burundi — The world’s newest common market was created Thursday when a regional bloc of five east African countries freed up the movement of people, products and capital across borders, furthering East Africa’s dream of broad political unification.
The transformation and growth of the bloc, known as the East African Community, has been unfolding quickly after being reinvigorated just over 10 years ago. The bloc aims to become a monetary union by 2012 and have a common currency by 2015, with political federation to come soon after. Ultimately, leaders from the countries talk about becoming a single east African nation.
The East African Community was founded in 1967 by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda but collapsed a decade later over political infighting between member states. Its resurrection, strengthened with the addition of Rwanda and Burundi and the creation of the common market, has been lauded by East African officials, though more work remains.
“What we have achieved so far is only the basic legal framework that outlines what needs to be done,” Juma Mwapachu, the secretary general of the bloc, said in a press statement.
The agreement will allow citizens, products, capital and business services to move freely throughout the five countries, but Mr. Mwapachu said some national laws within member states would need to be harmonized with the regional agreement.
The agreement extends to 125 million people across a varied political, geographic and economic landscape, bordering some of Africa’s worst war zones, from Somalia to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Much of the region shares a common language, Swahili, and a history of previous agreements, which have promoted political will among the member states. Since its second founding in 1999, analysts say the community has developed swiftly. A customs union was formed in 2005.
The community has expressed interest in a common currency, as well as a single tourist visa. The member states are also collaborating on building a regional railway line that would run from the Indian Ocean to Burundi, bordering Lake Tanganyika.
“The idea of a United States of East Africa is less far-fetched than it was before,” said Pratibha Thaker, regional director for the Economist Intelligence Unit.
Despite the significance politicians have attached to the common market, Ms. Thaker said economic growth was the most immediate interest for member states.
“It is critical for trade in service and trade in goods,” she said. “Economics will make them come together faster than politics.”
SOURCE:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/02/busin ... ?src=busln
, you and hyperactive , nobody else .
