Rwanda and Burundi join the East African Community

Recently, the ECA voted to allow Rwanda and Burundi to become members. Surely big news for both countries as the official line is that membership has it rewards.

I am always bemused when these countries pony up to the big boys because they, particularly Rwanda, has a habit of punching above its weight. Yes, membership with the more economically and politically stable markets of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania may bring said stability to Rwanda and Burundi. But does it bring other forms of security, like freedom from fear, or hunger, or HIV/AIDS? Both Rwanda and Burundi are sacrificing meaningful reconciliation among individuals and communities at the expense of economic opportunities for the few. By the few, I mean those in the state class....

Does anyone see that Rwanda is laying down the same networks and structures of power that led to the 1994 genocide in the first place? Burundi? It's too early to tell given the infancy of its peace agreement but I would offer the same with the appropriate cautions at this stage in the game.

Either way, it's pretty safe to say that both the incentives and rationalisations of the state classes to make further extractions on the rural masses of Rwandans and Burundians are sure to find resonance with both regional bodies like the EAC and the international donor community.