Africa’s regional economic communities (RECs) have grown exponentially in the last few decades. These RECs include the East African Community, the Economic Community of West African States, and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa. This course examines the legal framework within which regional economic integration is pursued in Africa through the RECs. Particular emphasis will be placed on the evolution of multiple RECs in Africa and the complex conflict of laws and jurisdictional questions they raise; decision-making and law-making within the RECs; the relationship between the laws of the regional economic communities and those of the member states; the jurisdiction and jurisprudence of the courts of the RECs and the enforcement of their judgments; the role of individuals and civil society within the RECs; and the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, which is now being implemented to create the African Continental Free Trade Area. Students will develop competence and facility over several treatises on African regional integration. Students will sharpen their analytical, reasoning and critical reading skills.
Method of Evaluation: 40% class participation and 60% weekly reflection papers of maximum 500 words based on the weekly assigned readings.