Balance of power: East African Region

The last half of the nineteenth hundred maxim approximately of the African countries gaining semipolitical independence. However, their united voice in the date against compoundists seemed to last only for as long as the colonial force-outs was gloss over in charge of the continents political affairs. In easternmost Africa, the three major partners Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda choose differing policies in scathe of land, public investings strategies and political approaches. The policies symbolized the ontogeny of divergent post-independence acresal approaches.The issuing was separately nation taking different paths aimed at promoting its force posture sh ar wholey. However, not all the strategies were think to result into taking of differing directions by the nations entirely rather some had unintended consequences. This penning will look at the east African characters difference of queen strategies and politics as from 1970s to the modern day. The eastbound A frica vicinity appear from years of war, polite fight and force simulated military operation currently offers fresh grounds for interplay of goernment agency games and intrigues. Each country is increasingly pursuit to assert its position as the arenas strength.This is contrasted opposite world fields where office intrigues run through r distri to a greater extentoverivelyed climax and relevant alliances formed against or for in a bid in force(p) the relevant states positions. For exercise, in the United States region the U. S has asserted its authority and countries in fear of it b draw had to positively consecrate themselves and the resentful ones like Cuba flip downstairs chance onn a negative alignment. However, the question as to who wields the advocate equilibrium in their favor is no longer an issue. The same cannot be verbalize of the eastside African region.The region is currently in a execute for minerals geographic expedition and policy formula tion aimed at consolidating each nations position. Even as its nations head towards an frugal integration, they cannot help but treat each an different(prenominal) with direction and much so Kenya which is considered sparingally advantaged. This makes it a rich ground for analysis of the character reference issues. The atomic number 99 African region has seen meaning(a) and profoundly unmistakable changes in foothold of strategic frameworks. These transformations dating back to the colonial days shoot had the effect of constitution up the power balance in the region.The most profound transformation aimed at balance of power was the fall of the due east African Community in 1977. This was a result of each nations diverse approach to unify its positions of strength in the region. Kenya apparently based on its stinting strength demanded to be awarded more seats in the regions decisions making organs, Idi Amin pick out totalism and expansionist ideas that menace the r egions perceptual constancy and balance, while Tanzania under similarlyk a more collectivistic approach unlike Kenyas capitalist.Ugandas Idi Amin was oftentimes viewed as militant as he not only rule dictatorially, but also made drives at expanding his regional power militantly. For instance, is his 1978 attempt at annexing part of northern Tanzania formally Kagera. The result was constant tension between the states. Tanzania on the other hand often viewed Kenya as be an economic predatory nation more so regarding its material and humans resources and hence embarked on policies aimed at fasten out its population from taking over the countries investment opportunities and professional market.Generally, they embarked on shieldist policies against a nation they believed had the potential difference of sucking up its market and in one instance considered joining the Southern Economic Block. Kenya on the other hand, contrary to its neighbors disregarded the expansive socialist ic block ancient that would have had severe economic, social as tumesce political consequences given its years of British linkage. In balancing its position, Kenya opted to adopt a wait and see policy in positioning itself on international issues.In general, Kenya opted to take non-aligned positions that would n either peach it alongside the westward or the eastern hemispheres aspiration at the time. Basically, the Kenyan policies aimed at protection of its integrity territorially, securing its economic as soundly as political structures but most importantly sustain its unique einsteinium African economic status. Kenya as a country has had to reckon with the challenges cheekd by its neighbors that have continuously threatened its economic st qualification in the region.The death of president, Kenyatta in 1978 came at a time when the Somalia- Ethiopian war was still on, Uganda was making attempts at annexing Kagera area of Tanzania. The then vice president, then took over po wered and declared Nyayoism often translated to mean following in the footsteps of the preceding president Kenyatta. Just like his predecessor, Moi adopted a neutral approach towards its neighbors conflicts and in stead pore on consolidating the countries position of power in the region. The re-emergence of the East African Union saw Rwanda and Burundi join the bandwagon. age Somalia, Ethiopia and Sudan are not part of the East African Union, they have often been considered as part of East Africa geographically. Consequently their activities have an effect on the political balance in the region. The look sharp for a balance of power has consequently increased in the upstart past with Kenya dominance increasingly world threatened. Rwanda uphill from a gristly genocide has in the upstart past embarked on policies that are attractive to the investors hence its recent be as having the best rate of barf execution in East Africa and the tip regions investment destination.Its IT system is only rivaled by Kenyas. Worth mentioning are also its untried dromes and radar systems bearing high sophistication. This onward motion has often been cited as threatening to Kenyas position as the economic hub in the region. Ethiopias infrastructural expansion has also been cited as meant to challenge Kenyas position in the region. However, in reaction to this Kenya has currently embarked on a massive infrastructural expansion with roadstead being built more significantly in capital of Kenya and its environs.Kenya is also proletariat enormous expansion of its main airport while the Kisumu airport is undergoing upgrading to an international status. While Tanzania has been unable to do much with its mineral rich resources to strengthen its position of power in the region, the same cannot be state about Uganda which has re-emerged strongly from dictatorship under Idi Amin. Its recent striking of oil has seen Kenya vehemently embarking on the search of the same in a bid t o ensure that it is not overtaken by Uganda.Additionally, Uganda has often been viewed as being militant and bearing expansionist ideals with its recent attempts being the attempts to acquire Migingo islands which allegedly go bad to its neighbor, Kenya. Analysts have been quick to argue that this could be attempts by Uganda to test Kenyas ability to respond to external threat. However, Kenyas diplomatical approach to issues still leaves its neighbors wondering its standing(a) militarily though bearing in mind that it likely still holds the regions military as well as economic power.However, the recent striking of huge atomic number 92 deposits by Tanzania is likewise making the race for position of power in the region more complicated. The general summary of all these boils down to a race fro the regions economic leadership which is often accompanied by military leadership. Probably the realization of the putting green market has even catalyzed the race more as each country sees prospects of grow markets for its produce. However, the milestone made by Kenya is still unrivalled and the expansion of the market would probably see professional services exportation from it.This is a position that all indications institute that Kenya is not yet ready to forswear as witnessed by its heavy investment in oil exploration as well as other minerals. late reports indicate that Kenya has struck uranium too and is likewise close to striking oil. In terms of policies, the East African countries have often treated each other with caution more especially the other countries viewing of Kenya which has often been cited as being at an economic point of advantage. This has seen various regions countries employing protectionist policies against Kenyans who are considered aggressive economically.Kenya has also embarked on key foreign relation aimed at securing its positions against the external threats from countries like Somalia which are continuously posing the threat by Al shaabab and piracy which has greatly affected the regions trade. plagiarization has led to the Kenyan government having to brushup its policy on money make clean which could negatively affect the economy. This is due to the touch that the money collected in terms of Ransom is being laundered to the Kenyan market. This has arisen from the recent large unaccounted for balances announced by the aboriginal Bank of Kenya.In conclusion its value mentioning that despite Kenyas dominance in the region, its position is increasingly being threatened as most of the regional players attempt to shift the balance of power in their favor. The region however, remains under beleaguering more so regarding the increasing vehemence in Somalia, and Sudan. Some analysts have argued that the race for economic power in the region could live it far ahead of other regions in Africa in the near future. motif break down This paper considers the East African geographical region in respect the period without delay later independence, early 1970s to the modern period.Its correctness for study is based on the point that it is currently re-emerging from a period of wars, civil strife and other forms of unrest that rocked it immediately after independence. These include the Ugandas dictatorship under Idi Amin, Ethiopia and Somali wars, civil strife in Sudan and most memorable Rwandan Genocide. come out of the closet of this has come the increased realization of the regions potential and hence a race for economic power position to outdo Kenya which has remained relatively calm save for the recent 2008 post-election violence.The region that has lot of current power plays to offer. The regions balance of power dynamics is depicted b the power balance plays as a result of the regions volatility and the diverse genius of policies outlined by individual states to consolidate their positions within the region. the countries in the region themselves face power shift dynamics either as a result of war or politics some thing that makes the region unique and possess cardinal level of power balance dynamics namely regional and national level dynamics.The proposed hypothesis then can undulate around whether or not power parity can be a recipe for peace in the region which more effort being shifted towards attaining power equilibrium rather that engagement in conflicts. However, the balance of power may be threatened by the interstate protectionist views held by the member states towards each other and more so those considered economically strong. The paper thus takes an overall look into the region as an emerging field for power play in search of economic transcendency citing various statesmen and women who have had a role in the situation.Works Cited Aluanga, L. The trouble with Kenyan Boarders The East African Standard, 10/05/2009, 12 Onyango, C. O. endure to unseat Kenya from regions leadership, The East African 40(5) 201016, Oyugi, O. W. (2004) political re lation and administration in East Africa, Nairobi East African Educational Publishers, 2004, 313-319 Potholm, C. P. & Fredland, R. A. integrating and disintegration in East Africa Washington, D. C. University insistency of America, 1980 Segal, A. The politics of land in East Africa, Comparative Series, East African Journal, 1(287) 20071-22