Economic Community of Central African States facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids Economic Community of Central African States Communauté économique des États de l'Afrique Centrale (French) Comunidade Económica dos Estados da África Central (Portuguese) Comunidad Económica de los Estados de África Central (Spanish)
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ECCAS and CEMAC membership in Africa. ECCAS and CEMAC ECCAS only
Administrative center	Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
Working languages	French English Portuguese Spanish
Type	Pillar of the African Economic Community
Membership	11 states Angola Burundi Cameroon Central African Republic Chad Democratic Republic of the Congo Equatorial Guinea Gabon (suspended) Republic of the Congo Rwanda São Tomé and Príncipe
Leaders

• Secretary-General	Ahmad Allam-Mi

Establishment	October 18, 1983
Area
• Total	6,670,000 km² (2,580,000 sq mi)
Population
• Estimate	200 million (2020)

The Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) is a group of countries in Central Africa. They work together to promote economic cooperation in the region. ECCAS aims to help its member countries become stronger together. It also wants to improve the lives of people living there. Another goal is to keep the region peaceful and stable through teamwork.

History of ECCAS
Economic Cooperation
- Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC)
What ECCAS Aims To Do
- How ECCAS Is Organized
Agreements and Rules
Working for Peace and Security
- Parts of the COPAX Council
- MICOPAX Peace Mission
See also

History of ECCAS

Early Beginnings: Customs and Economic Union

Before ECCAS, there was a group called the Customs and Economic Union of Central Africa (UDEAC). It was started in 1964 by the Brazzaville Treaty. This group helped countries trade freely with each other. They also had common rules for goods coming from other countries.

The first five members were Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Republic of Congo, and Gabon. Equatorial Guinea joined in 1983. UDEAC later aimed to create a common currency. This currency was the Central Africa CFA franc. UDEAC was officially replaced by CEMAC in 1999.

How ECCAS Was Formed

Leaders of the UDEAC countries decided to form a bigger economic group in 1981. ECCAS was officially created on October 18, 1983. It included the UDEAC members, São Tomé and Príncipe, and countries from another group called CEPGL. These were the DR Congo, Burundi, and Rwanda. Angola first joined as an observer. It became a full member in 1999.

ECCAS started working in 1985. However, it faced problems for several years. These problems included money issues and conflicts in the African Great Lakes area. The war in the DR Congo made things especially difficult. ECCAS is an important part of the African Economic Community (AEC). But they only officially connected in 1999 because ECCAS had been inactive.

In 1998, leaders met in Libreville to restart the organization. They agreed to work towards peace in the region. They also asked for help to improve how ECCAS was run.

Recent Developments

In June 2002, leaders met in Malabo. They decided to create a network for lawmakers in Central Africa (REPAC). They also set up rules for the Council for Peace and Security in Central Africa (COPAX). This council includes groups for defense, a multinational force, and an early warning system. Rwanda officially rejoined ECCAS at this meeting.

In 2003, the European Union (EU) agreed to help ECCAS and CEMAC financially. This was to support peace and security in the region. In 2004, COPAX officially started working. The leaders also discussed plans for development in Africa. They talked about promoting gender equality.

In 2007, Rwanda left ECCAS to focus on other regional groups. However, it rejoined ECCAS in 2016.

In 2023, after a military takeover in Gabon, ECCAS spoke out against it. They asked for the return of normal government. ECCAS also suspended Gabon's membership. They moved their main office from Libreville to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.

Economic Cooperation

Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC)

The Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC) is a group of countries. These include Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon. They work to bring their economies closer together. These countries share a common currency, the CFA franc.

CEMAC aims to boost trade and create a true common market. This means making it easier for goods to move between member countries. They also want to help less developed countries and regions. CEMAC countries share common financial and legal rules. They also have a common tax on imports from non-CEMAC countries. While they aim for no taxes on trade within CEMAC, this is still being fully put into practice. Money can move freely within CEMAC.

Membership in the regional communities
Country	ECCAS	CEMAC	SADC	EAC
Angola	Yes	No	Yes	No
Burundi	Yes	No	No	Yes
Cameroon	Yes	Yes	No	No
Central African Republic	Yes	Yes	No	No
Chad	Yes	Yes	No	No
Democratic Republic of the Congo	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Equatorial Guinea	Yes	Yes	No	No
Gabon	Yes	Yes	No	No
Republic of the Congo	Yes	Yes	No	No
Rwanda	Yes	No	No	Yes
São Tomé and Príncipe	Yes	No	No	No

What ECCAS Aims To Do

The main goal of ECCAS is to create a Central African Common Market. This means making it easy for goods, services, and people to move freely between member countries.

In 1999, four main goals were set for ECCAS:

To build ways to keep peace, security, and stability. These are key for countries to grow and develop.
To connect countries physically, economically, and financially.
To encourage people from different countries to work together.
To create its own way to get money for its activities.

How ECCAS Is Organized

ECCAS has several important parts:

Conference of Heads of State and Government: This is where the leaders of the member countries meet and make big decisions.
Council of Ministers: This group helps carry out the decisions made by the leaders.
Secretariat General: This is the main office that manages the daily work of ECCAS. It has a Secretary-General and three assistants.
Court of Justice: This court helps solve legal problems between member states.
Consultative Commission: This group gives advice to ECCAS leaders.

Agreements and Rules

ECCAS has several important agreements and rules. These help guide how the member countries work together. Some key ones include:

The main agreement that created ECCAS.
Rules for a network of lawmakers in ECCAS (REPAC).
An agreement for member states to help each other.
Rules for the Council for Peace and Security in Central Africa (COPAX).

Some other rules cover things like:

How products are traded between member states.
Rules about taxes on goods.
How goods are moved through different countries.
Rules for customs cooperation.
Allowing people to move freely and live in other member states.
Cooperation in farming, industry, transport, and energy.
Working together on science, technology, and natural resources.
Cooperation in education, training, and culture.
Working together on tourism.
Making trade documents and procedures simpler.
Helping countries that are landlocked or less developed.

Working for Peace and Security

Countries in Central Africa agreed not to attack each other in 1994. This agreement was made in Yaoundé, Cameroon. In 1999, member states decided to create an organization to promote and keep peace in Central Africa. This organization is called the Council for Peace and Security in Central Africa (COPAX). The COPAX rules are now in effect.

Parts of the COPAX Council

COPAX has special groups that help it work:

The Central African Early-Warning System (MARAC): This group collects information to spot problems early. This helps prevent crises.
The Defence and Security Commission (CDS): This is where military and police chiefs from member states meet. They plan and advise on military operations if needed.
The Multinational Force of Central Africa (FOMAC): This is a special force made up of soldiers from member states. Their job is to help with peace, security, and humanitarian aid.

The rules for these groups were approved in 2002.

In 2000, Gabon hosted a practice exercise called "Gabon 2000." This helped ECCAS countries get better at peacekeeping and managing conflicts.

In 2003, military chiefs met in Brazzaville. They decided to create a peacekeeping force. This force would be ready to act in unstable areas in Central Africa. It could become part of the African Union's larger peacekeeping force. They also suggested a joint training center and military exercises every two years.

MICOPAX Peace Mission

The Mission for the consolidation of peace in Central African Republic (MICOPAX) is a peace operation. It is led by ECCAS in the Central African Republic. It has been involved in efforts to bring peace to the country.