To promote and strengthen the economic development and financial system in today’s globalized world regional economic integration has become inevitable, in particular, regions where different nations share similarities in history, culture, trade and financial system such as, Africa.
Regional integration moves further to supplement international relations efforts for states to cooperate for common interest. According to James A Field; Man organised himself for political purpose on bases other than that now subsumed under the concepts “states and Nation states”. Again, a conspicuous of opinion holds that states are stronger cooperating with common interest that staying solo. Regional integrations open interdependence in military might, common markets and trade, social amenities and for political articulation. This new political weapon has not only benefited the America hegemony but also the East Asia and the Africa regional integrations.
Economic integration within states has increasingly attracted recognition among researchers in international economic affairs and contemporary political economist. Scholars in this field continue to ponder the advantages this has for states, transnational organisation, international personalities and challenges too.
This research work is based on the topic: political instability as an obstacle for economic integration in central Africa: the case of CEMAC; with strong claims that political reason remains one of the main challenges that hampers regional integration in central Africa. This thesis is concerned with the political practices of regional political cooperation, governance and administrative bottle necks in Central Africa.
It further examines the history of CEMAC, and attempts to answer the questions of: What are the main reasons for instability? Why Political Instability interrupts Integration in Central Africa? What remedies have been put in place to curb these challenges?
Seeing to the fact that regional integration has spur the development and strength of many states in Africa, the legitimacy of colonial rule have given way to narratives about development and interdependence within Africa and CEMAC zone in particular, this work sorts to look at the advantages of regional integration and challenges. It also broadens the various actor’s interests or preferences to determine how cooperation is institutionalized in Central Africa. It seeks to develop an analytical 'framework to investigate the genesis and institutions of the various states of CEMAC, and the critical role of external actors in contributing to changing regional interstate relations in Central Africa.