Integration Efforts in Central Africa: The Case of CEMAC

The creation of the economic and monetary community of central Africa (CEMAC) in 1994 as the successor to the economic and customs union of central Africa (UDEAC) engendered much hope in the sub-regional integration process of the Central African States, a region which had faced many challenges in the preceding thirty years. Marked by a plethora of institutions, CEMAC recorded certain advances which still remain sub-optimal when taking into consideration its integration calendar. In reality, the problem faced by integration in the CEMAC sub-region is not related to the quality of the treaties, but concerns the limited technical capacity, the divergent attitudes of the member countries towards regional integration and sometimes, the absence of sanctions against States which do not respect Community norms. This reality is highlighted within the framework of this contribution with the goal of demonstrating the importance of CEMAC Member States taking their responsibilities accordingly.