The CITIZEN Newspaper of Friday, May 28th, 2023, carried the following news: “President William Ruto of Kenya has called for fast-tracking the East African Federation plans”. I believe that there must have been many people who were genuinely enthused upon reading this news; and particularly those like myself, who know what befell this proposal when it was first made in the early 1960s; when the intention (or desire) to form an ‘East African Federation’ (to be comprised of the countries of Tanganyika, Kenya and Uganda) was first announced.
Available records show that the genesis of this proposal can be traced back to Mwalimu Nyerere’s Paper, which he wrote and presented at the ‘Second Conference of Independent African States”, which was held in 1960; in which he strongly argued the need for an East African Federation.
That was even before any of these East African countries had gained independence from colonialism. But even subsequently, after Tanganyika had achieved independence with Mwalimu Nyerere as its Head of State and Government; he continued to strongly advocate this idea of an East African Federation; but he was disappointed and forced to give up, when it became clear that his peers in Kenya and Uganda were in fact not committed to forming this Federation!
That was even before any of these East African countries had gained independence from colonialism. But even subsequently, after Tanganyika had achieved independence with Mwalimu Nyerere as its Head of State and Government; he continued to strongly advocate this idea of an East African Federation; but he was disappointed and forced to give up, when it became clear that his peers in Kenya and Uganda were in fact not committed to forming this Federation!
The story of how this happened is told a little later in the paragraphs below. In my humble opinion, that is the special significance of Kenya’s President William Ruto’s statement quoted above; namely that Kenya appears now keenly interested in this proposal. As indeed are all the other member countries of the now vastly expanded ‘East African Community’. Their common interest in this project is evidenced by their having unanimously agreed to form a “Committee of Experts”, which was given the task of ‘drafting of the constitution for the proposed Federation’; and the Chairman of this committee is the former Chief Justice of Uganda.
Thus, considering what we have stated above, namely that the failure of the earlier proposal was caused by the lack of genuine interest, or commitment, on the part of Kenya and Uganda; this new development rekindles the hope that the desired “East African Federation” will now be achieved; and, happily, with many more member - countries on board, than the original three.
The story of the failure of the erstwhile Federation proposal.
I have referred above to Mwalimu Nyerere’s 1960 Paper on ‘the need for an East African Federation’. That Paper was presented to the next following “Pan-African Movement for the Freedom of East and Central Africa (PAFMECA” meeting, which was held in October 1960, at Mbale in Uganda. That meeting reportedly “warmly accepted Mwalimu Nyerere’s proposal of forming the East African Federation. and adopted it as a project which was worth supporting, and strongly encouraged the countries concerned, to focus on working out the details of this proposal, and how to bring it into fruition”.
In his Paper, Mwalimu Nyerere had emphasized the following three major points:- The first was his contention that “if each country gets its independence separately, the Federation proposal will be extremely difficult to achieve” because, he argued, after a country gets its independence, “it becomes open to the temptations of nationhood, and the intrigues of those who find their strength in the weakness of small nations”. Thus, he argued strongly in favour of the East African Territories achieving independence simultaneously as one unit, as that was the only way through which “the existing feelings of unity of opposition (to colonialism) could be changed to become feelings of unity for construction”.
Alternatively, he encouraged the formation of the Federation just before independence, when these countries had achieved the constitutional status which at that time was described as “internal self- Government”, which is the stage just before independence is achieved.
Thus, considering what we have stated above, namely that the failure of the earlier proposal was caused by the lack of genuine interest, or commitment, on the part of Kenya and Uganda; this new development rekindles the hope that the desired “East African Federation” will now be achieved; and, happily, with many more member - countries on board, than the original three.
The story of the failure of the erstwhile Federation proposal.
I have referred above to Mwalimu Nyerere’s 1960 Paper on ‘the need for an East African Federation’. That Paper was presented to the next following “Pan-African Movement for the Freedom of East and Central Africa (PAFMECA” meeting, which was held in October 1960, at Mbale in Uganda. That meeting reportedly “warmly accepted Mwalimu Nyerere’s proposal of forming the East African Federation. and adopted it as a project which was worth supporting, and strongly encouraged the countries concerned, to focus on working out the details of this proposal, and how to bring it into fruition”.
In his Paper, Mwalimu Nyerere had emphasized the following three major points:- The first was his contention that “if each country gets its independence separately, the Federation proposal will be extremely difficult to achieve” because, he argued, after a country gets its independence, “it becomes open to the temptations of nationhood, and the intrigues of those who find their strength in the weakness of small nations”. Thus, he argued strongly in favour of the East African Territories achieving independence simultaneously as one unit, as that was the only way through which “the existing feelings of unity of opposition (to colonialism) could be changed to become feelings of unity for construction”.
Alternatively, he encouraged the formation of the Federation just before independence, when these countries had achieved the constitutional status which at that time was described as “internal self- Government”, which is the stage just before independence is achieved.
The second point was that “the countries concerned should take advantage of the ‘feeling of unity’ in opposing colonialism which existed among them, in order to maintain, and even strengthen, that unity after the fight against colonialism had been won” . Otherwise, he said, “this feeling of unity will be whittled away if each country gets its independence separately”.
The third point was that “the colonial authority should be persuaded to grant independence simultaneously to these countries, so that they could form the desired Federation immediately upon achieving their independence; in order to avoid ‘the temptations of nationhood, and the intrigues of those who find strength in the weakness of small nations’; if each country was to be granted independence separately.
The arguments regarding each of the above points, in his own words, were presented as follows:- (a) Regarding the first point, he said: “After each nation has achieved its independence separately, any move by one of the leaders in the direction of Federation, is likely to be misunderstood, and will most probably be regarded as ‘an imperialist design and a search for personal power’. For that reason, the most honest and least selfish leaders will be strongly tempted to avoid that issue.
Furthermore, the leaders of each state will be so preoccupied with the immediate problems of their own Governments, that the long-term advantages which can accrue from the establishment of a Federation, will get crowded out of construction”.
(b) In relation to the second point, he said: “In the struggle against colonialism, the fundamental unity of the people of Africa is evident, and is deeply felt. It is, however, a unity forged in adversity, in a battle against an outside government. The feeling of unity which now exists could, however, be whittled away if each country gets its independence separately, for it will then become exposed to the temptations of nationhood, plus the intrigues of those who find their strength in the weakness of small nations.
There is only one way to ensure that the present ‘unity for opposition’ becomes a ‘unity for construction’. And this can best be achieved at the time of the independence of these Territories.
(c) Regarding the third point, Mwalimu Nyerere said: “At the moment, Tanganyika is more advanced on the road to independence than any of the other East Africa Territories (Kenya, and Uganda). I believe, however, that it is in the best interest of Tanganyika, that we should unite with those other Territories into a Federation. I also believe that the attainment of complete independence by Tanganyika alone would complicate the establishment of a new political unit.
Tanganyika’s independence is expected to be achieved before the end of 1961. But if the British Government would be willing to amend their timetable for the constitutional changes of the other East African Territories so that, for example, independence for them is fixed for 1962, and provided that these Territories have clearly expressed their desire for a Federation; I would be prepared to postpone the celebration of the independence of Tanganyika, in order to celebrate the independence of all the East African countries together in 1962, accompanied by the simultaneous formation of the East African Federation”.
Tanganyika’s independence is expected to be achieved before the end of 1961. But if the British Government would be willing to amend their timetable for the constitutional changes of the other East African Territories so that, for example, independence for them is fixed for 1962, and provided that these Territories have clearly expressed their desire for a Federation; I would be prepared to postpone the celebration of the independence of Tanganyika, in order to celebrate the independence of all the East African countries together in 1962, accompanied by the simultaneous formation of the East African Federation”.
In this connection, Mwalimu Nyerere subsequently disclosed to us, that when the proposal for the Union between Zanzibar and Tanganyika was first discussed between him and Zanzibar President Karume, it was precisely at the point when it seemed that Kenya was ready to enter into Federation with Tanganyika, hence he advised Karume that they should ‘hold on’ a little, so that their proposed union would include Kenya. But, again, his high hopes on Kenya became quickly frustrated, so he and Karume went ahead with their discussions; which were successfully concluded, and our Union was born.
Nyerere’s opposition to an imposed Federation.
There was an additional point which also needs to be mentioned, which is that up to that time, Mwalimu Nyerere had been opposing the imposition of such Federation proposals; when he cautioned thus: “But a Federation of Kenya, Tanganyika, Uganda and Zanzibar cannot, and must not, be imposed upon the people of these Territories. It must be a decision of the people themselves, expressed through their elected representatives . . . In order that this Federation may be a reality, it must be willed, designed and put into effect, by the people of East Africa themselves. An imposed Federation like the ‘Central African Federation (of Rhodesia and Nyasaland) has no chance of succeeding, and is completely out of the question”.
There was an additional point which also needs to be mentioned, which is that up to that time, Mwalimu Nyerere had been opposing the imposition of such Federation proposals; when he cautioned thus: “But a Federation of Kenya, Tanganyika, Uganda and Zanzibar cannot, and must not, be imposed upon the people of these Territories. It must be a decision of the people themselves, expressed through their elected representatives . . . In order that this Federation may be a reality, it must be willed, designed and put into effect, by the people of East Africa themselves. An imposed Federation like the ‘Central African Federation (of Rhodesia and Nyasaland) has no chance of succeeding, and is completely out of the question”.
That is why he insisted that “discussions on the question of the establishment of a Federation of East Africa can only come after all the countries concerned have established Governments which are elected by the people, and are therefore responsive to the wishes of the people”.
Nyerere’s initial fears were fully vindicated.
We have noted above, Mwalimu Nyerere’s initial fear that after each country has achieved its independence separately, it would become extremely difficult to form the desired Federation, for the reason that “they will become open to the temptations of nationhood, and the intrigues of those who find their strength in the weakness of small nations”. These fears were fully vindicated, because that is what exactly happened. All his hopes and predictions mentioned above, eventually came to naught, in the sense that the desired Federation was never established at the time he had actively campaigned for its formation, namely before these independent countries had become ‘exposed to the temptations of nationhood’.
The sequence of hopes and frustrations in that process.
Nyerere’s initial fears were fully vindicated.
We have noted above, Mwalimu Nyerere’s initial fear that after each country has achieved its independence separately, it would become extremely difficult to form the desired Federation, for the reason that “they will become open to the temptations of nationhood, and the intrigues of those who find their strength in the weakness of small nations”. These fears were fully vindicated, because that is what exactly happened. All his hopes and predictions mentioned above, eventually came to naught, in the sense that the desired Federation was never established at the time he had actively campaigned for its formation, namely before these independent countries had become ‘exposed to the temptations of nationhood’.
The sequence of hopes and frustrations in that process.
The hopes started in early 1963; soon after the countries of Kenya and Uganda had each achieved its independence separately, when in June, 1963, the Heads of the Governments of Kenya, Tanganyika and Uganda, after their meeting in Nairobi, issued a joint declaration stating that the ‘East African Federation would be established before the end of that year, 1963’. But alas, that year eventually ended without the proposed Federation being formed.
Then, in March 1964, the Kenyan members of Parliament took the initiative of convening a joint meeting of the members of Parliament of Kenya, Tanganyika and Uganda, for the purpose of discussing ways and means of achieving quickly the implementation of the said June 1963 declaration. The Ugandan members of Parliament did not even respond to that invitation; and it was later revealed that Uganda was of the view that “we must put our separate houses in order first, before we can contemplate a Federation”.
However, the MPs from Kenya and Tanganyika did attend that meeting, at which it was resolved that the said Federation declaration should be implemented quickly, without any further delay. It was further decided to appoint a Committee from among themselves, which was mandated to visit each of the three Heads of Government, to press for the immediate implementation of their declaration. Unfortunately, all these efforts eventually also came to naught.
Now that this matter has been put back on the agenda, we pray to the Almighty God to grant the relevant decision-making authorities the wisdom, and the courage, to bring the East African Federation proposal to fruition this time round. As the Holy Bible says in Ecclesiastes, 3, 1-8 : “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. A time to be born, and a time to die”. Hopefully, now is the season for the desired “East African Federation” to be born.
piomsekwa@gmail.com/0754767576.
piomsekwa@gmail.com/0754767576.
Source: Cde Msekwa today
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