Kenya and Rwanda signed the deal which however could not be operationalized until all EAC member states had signed. It was expected that all countries would have signed by October, 2016.
There is concern that the agreements will only make it harder for Africa to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals SDGs. Analysts say the agreements seem designed to completely remove whatever leverage remains for Africa to transform its economies.
The agreements are intended to enhance regional integration and economic development in the African, Caribbean and Pacific ACP countries. They are based on the principle of unbalanced market opening, meaning that they provide a better access to the EU market for ACP partners.
The five East African Community member states are set to resume negotiations with the European Union over the controversial Economic Partnership Agreements.
