.

MASINDE MULIRO UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

RESEARCH

NAME; LOREENE VUGUTSA SEMO

REG; BID/B/01-02240/2018

LECTURER; PROF MATANGA

COURSE; THEORIES OF IR

QUESTION,

The theory of neo functionalism accounts for regional formations in international relations

critique the role of regionalism in promoting peace and development in Africa

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Introduction.

First and foremost, neo- functionalism is the contemporary form of functionalism. It is centered
on the contemporary setting of international relations which emphasizes on regional integration
and territorialism. In functionalism theory the focus was on global integration and strategy
which encourages global intergovernmental institutions like the World trade organization
,United Nations, world bank or international monetary fund which make up International
Relations; but when it comes to neo functionalism it actually critics the idea and proposes a new
way through regional integration in the form of intergovernmental regional organizations ;for
example in Africa we have ,Economic community of West African States (ECOWAS) ,East
African community , Southern Africa development community (SADC),Common market for
eastern and southern Africa states (COMESA) and African union. Therefore, neo functionalism
supports the purpose of regionalism, according to Wikipedia .com is the common sense of
identity and purpose combined with creation and implementation of institutions that express
particular identity and shape collective action within a geographical region. The founder of this
theory was Ernst Haas in the 1960’s (his ideas were derived from The European steel and coal
company) which displayed economic development in Europe. Therefore, I am going to
critique/evaluate in 3 sections (politically, socially and economically) the role played by
regionalism in promoting peace and development in Africa, an idea derived from the neo
functionalism theory.
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ROLE PLAYED BY REGIONALISM IN AFRICA TO PROMOTE PEACE AND

DEVELOPMENT.

POLITICAL ROLES.

SHAPING FOREIGN POLICIES OF GOOD WILL.

Regionalism ensures cordial relationships between leaders and citizens of states in a regional
organization. Therefore, an exemplary relationship shapes how states interact with one another
for instance in East Africa community, countries have made tremendous efforts to maintain
peaceful relations that do not only promote peace and harmony but regional political, social and
economic development through favorable foreign policies of the states. However, regionalism
may have a drawback when it comes to peace and development as even though foreign policies
of goodwill are in place it masks hidden tensions. In EAC there have been tensions among its
member states since its formation due to difference in ideology and questionable development of
individual countries especially Kenya. Since 1970’s Kenya has suffered suspicion from countries
like Tanzania who up to date is still hold the same prejudice which has led to border conflicts
and hindrance of trade between the two of them in the organization. Therefore, regionalism has
its ups and downs in promoting peace and development in the region.

IT ACTS AS A WATCHDOG.

Regionalism is similar to a small investment group in Kenya what we call in layman’s language
‘Chama’ where a group of people in the same residence area or social group come together and
to prosper every member has to play a key role to promote peace among members in the group
and its economic development. Therefore, in a regional organization, countries pay a close eye to
one another to ensure good governance and management according to regional and international
laws which will lead to not only peace and domestic development but also regional development
that promotes efficiency of the states. For instance, in EAC, one of its member states Tanzania
was shamed by member states for the inhumane occurrence of killing albinos and President
Kikwete vowed to take immediate action as he felt he had failed the EAC according to a report
done by BBC on 3rd March 2015. This inhumane killing can cause inter-state conflicts and limit
relations of countries if an issue labeled by the regional community is not addressed. However,
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not all regional organizations are keen to internal affairs as others; for example, in a report by
PSC on 26/ August/2020 there were numerous concerns about SADC whereby complaints were
laid based on non-interference on issues of its member states in countries like Mozambique,
Democratic Republic of Congo and Zimbabwe. A former South African public protector Thuli
Madonsela expressed concerns on how SADC had delayed in intervening in Zimbabwe to curb
conflicts which is a shame considering efforts made by ECOWAS in West Africa to diffuse
similar situations in Liberia and Gambia.

IT HAS GIVEN AVENUES FOR COLLECTIVE DISCUSSIONS.

This is through regional headquarters where state leaders meet annually or semiannually to
discuss issues partaking to the region. This issues can be involving the economy, environment
and human rights which all promote peace and development in the region. In Africa, regional
organizations like EAC has headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania, SADC (Garbone, Botswana) and
ECOWAS (Abuja, Nigeria) just to mention a few. The placement of a headquarter is essential to
ensure flow and avoid confusion which means effectiveness in the process which promotes peace
and harmony. Despite the significance a permanent headquarter brings it may bring about
disagreements over time especially when the headquarter is located in a country that is deemed
to be inferior to others.

IT HAS ENSURED SECURITY.

This is through peace keeping missions for example, in ECOWAS there is an organization
known as Economic community of west African states monitoring group (ECOMOG). This
military unit was formed by the west African states to curb the insecurity issue in the region, and
it was formed on August 1990. ECOMOG has engaged in peace keeping mission in countries
like Liberia, Gambia and Guinea Bissau. However, in some events a good gesture can turn to
worsen the situation and cause more instability. Somalia is a member state of EAC that has faced
conflict for more than two decades. In 2011, Somalia was facing attack from a terrorist group
called Al-shaabab. Therefore, Somalia being in EAC and a neighbor to Kenya, it went into
collaboration with the Somali government and formed ‘Operation Linda Inchi’. Kenya defense
forces was dispatched but it led to a bigger shame when the United Nations delivered a report
(12/ December/ 2017) on events stating that the peacekeepers had killed 40 innocent Somali
civilians. There have been more accusations which has built tensions between Kenya and
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Somalia that has led to border conflicts and even recalling of diplomatic missions of the two
countries.

LIMITED INTEFERENCE FROM INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTRIES/SUPERPOWERS.

The existence of African regional organizations limits interference from western world as there
are bodies or systems in place to combat continental matters. It is significant to maintain minimal
interference to prevent splitting of the continent where the issue of alignment could arise. When
countries start to familiarize themselves with one power or another a repetition of the cold war
may play. This takes us back to the South African –Namibian independence war (1966-1990)
where South Africa got support from United states and Namibia from Russia and this intensified
the tensions between the two powers making Africans battle for a course not their own.
Realistically, superpowers have a lot of control in Africa and that is why they also get control of
the governing body of the United Nations security council. On matters of conflict settlement in
Africa, Africans should take charge themselves as they have a regional organization (Africa
union) which has security commissions and the African court of Justice whose role is to protect
international law and prosecute international criminals. However, in spite of the existence of
such systems African international criminals are taken to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
African leaders like President Kenyatta expressed their disapproval to the African Union on the
issue and advocated for prosecution of Africans in Africa and not the ICC.However, not all
African countries supported the motion and this can lead to build up tensions in the region that
could lead to instability and under-development in Africa.
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ECONOMIC ROLES.

IT HAS ENSURED ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE IN THE REGION.

As of 2021, the Economic community of west African Is still making strides to push for a single
currency where the French speaking west African countries will end the use of the CFA Franc
which is a currency by their former colonists and turn to WAMZ. This achievement will bring
about a significant achievement for west Africa and its measures to increase development in the
region. Inspite of its good publicity it has taken a long time to launch and it seems what you
would call a white elephant. Moreover, the new currency will lead to trade barriers when it
comes to inter-regional trade with other regions in Africa.

COLLECTIVE ADVANCEMENT IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.

The collective research and advancement of science and technology promotes harmony as it
prevents competition that may lead to conflict. In EAC, there is a body known as EASTECO
which held its first conference of science technology and innovation in Kampala, Uganda. This
was in collaboration with the inter university council for East Africa and East Africa business
council (28th, October,2019) who came together to advocate for Science and technology as a
catalyst for East Africa vision 2050 which is a year East Africa aims to be fully industrialized.
Science and technology may be a catalyst but collective advancement is not as easy as it seems if
there are no collective available resources to fund the projects which will lead to delay in the
progress.

EQUALITY IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE.

Regionalism which brought about regional organizations like EAC brought about removal of
trade barriers like tariffs, non-tariff barriers and free movement of labor. Therefore, countries of
East Africa practice their trade which brings about peaceful co-existence and development of the
region. In a similar context this can hinder peace and development as citizens of countries will
feel the anxiety of their opportunities being shared. A clear case study is South Africa which is a
member of SADC and COMESA meaning labor can move from any of the countries to South
Africa especially considering its level of development. This pressure is what led to Xenophobia
where immigrants were being killed in parts of south Africa because the natives claimed they
were claiming jobs rightfully theirs.
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SOCIAL

ENSURING APPRECIATION OF DIVERSITY AND CULTURE.

Language is a key component of people’s culture, and countries have different cultures which
can bring about tension but when acceptance and appreciation is involved it promotes peace and
development in the region. In a regional organization like SADC there are English, Swahili and
Portuguese speakers. Therefore, to show appreciation and acceptance; for instance, in an English
speaking country like South Africa, president Cyril Ramaphosa (3rd/October/2018) introduced
Swahili as an optional language into the curriculum. However, this can bring a lot of strain
especially in the summits where every country would propose their language to be made an
official language. The exclusion of one’s language may bring about tensions hindering peace and
development.

HUMANITARIAN SUPPORT DURING A CRISES.

This is based on Africa for Africans whereby aid to each other during difficulty. On 19th /3/2019
a cyclone had hit parts of Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique. All these countries are members
of SADC and fellow members took it upon itself to assist through donations. For instance,
Tanzania donated 24 tonnes of medicine,17 tonnes of rice and 200 tonnes of maize. This
response aids a country hit my crises to be able to rehabilitate itself and develop. However, all
regional organizations have failed in one way or another to support each other as they rely on
international organizations like USAID, UN or non-profits like Red cross to respond and provide
relief for their own member states facing a crisis which leads to delays that may spike conflicts
in countries.

CONTINUATION OF COHESION AND INTEGRATION IN THE REGION THROUGH

INTERACTIVE EVENTS SUCH AS SPORTS.

For instance, in East Africa there are the EAC games. The first competition was hosted by
Burundi on 16th-30th August 2018 where the disciplines were athletics, football, basketball,
rugby and boxing just to mention a few. Such events bring people together in the spirit of
competition to represent their countries but to interact in the process. Competition is quite
motivating but it can get out of hand especially in this era of social media where a sports
competition may spark negative emotions and lead to conflict and prejudice among countries.
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In conclusion,

Regionalism is what explains two sides of the same coin meaning it has its positive and negative
outlook but still remains valuable. However, one certainly outweighs the other as regionalism,
through regional organization has not only brought African countries together but has promoted
peace and development.
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References.

Imber Mark,26th /10/2020, Functionalism, Encyclopedia Brittanica, retrieved from

URL(https:/www.britannica.com/topic/functionalism-international organizations.)

Byiers B,2017, Regional organizations in Africa mapping multiple memberships, retrieved from
Url (https://ecdpm.org/talking-points/regional Organizations-Africa mapping multiple
memberships).

Wikepedia,23/3/2021 ,12:27 UTC, Regionalism (international relations), retrieved from

URL(en.wikipedia.org/wiki/regionalism_international_relations)

Haas Ernst, ed 2004 (1958), The uniting of Europe; political, social and economic forces, Notre
dame, Indiana; University of Notre dame press, ISBN 9780268043476.

Ochami David,31/10/2011, Somali government supports Kenya forces

mission,tandardmedia.co.ke.

BBC Africa,3/3/2015, Tanzania Albino killing to end vows president Kikwete, retrieved from
URL(bbc.com/news/world-africa.org).

PSC report,26/8/2020, why is SADC slow to intervene in political crises, retrieved from
url(issafrica.org/pscreport/psc-insights/why is SADC slow to intervene in political crises).

Wikipedia, free encyclopedia,1/4/2021,South African border

war,URL(https://en.wikipedia.org/south African border).

Future of Africa forum,14/1/2021, The eco-currency, URL (https://futureafrica

forum.org/2021/1/14, the eco-currency chapter).

Adelite.M,EASTECO homepage,2020,EASTECO,URL(https://easteco.org).