ECCAS: ‘s departure a symptom of stalled integration

On June 8, 2025, Rwanda officially left the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), after 16 years of membership. 

On June 8, 2025, Rwanda officially left the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), after 16 years of membership. This spectacular withdrawal highlights regional diplomatic tensions and the structural weaknesses of a bloc in decline.

At root: a deep-rooted political dispute. In disagreement with the DRC, which accuses it of supporting rebels in eastern Congo, Rwanda saw its candidacy for the rotating presidency of ECCAS rejected, in favor of an extension of Obiang Nguema’s mandate. Kigali denounced the organization’s lack of neutrality and chronic inefficiency.

In the background, a broader criticism: the slow pace of regional integration. Barely 5% of trade takes place between member countries, and many community projects suffer from delays of several years, due to a lack of political will and institutional capacity. Compared with CEDEAO or SADC, ECCAS appears to be lagging behind.

While the economic impact of the withdrawal remains limited in the short term – the region’s economies are not very interdependent – disruptions are to be expected on the Dar-es-Salaam corridor, as well as in the transport and telecoms sectors. But above all, this departure further weakens a bloc whose strategic relevance is increasingly contested.

source: Africanews