AFRICAN REGIONAL ECONOMIC COMMUNITIES
Regional Economic Communities (RECs) are the building blocks for African economic integration, and they are the foundations of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The overarching framework for African Economic Communities was established in the "1991 Abuja Treaty for Establishing The African Economic Community". The Treaty formalised the integration of already existing economic communities as well as the creation of new economic communities wherever they may be required.
The five (5) continental RECs arising from and consolidated in the Abuja treaty are:
North Africa (Region 1)
I.Arab Magreb Union (AMU/UMA) (est. 1989)
II.Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CENSAD) (est. 1998)
South Africa (Region 2)
I. Southern African Development Community (SADC) (est. 1992)
II.Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) (south east) (est. 1994)
East Africa (Region 3)
I.Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) (est. 1986)
II.East African Community (EAC) (est. 2000)
West Africa (Region 4)
I.Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) (est. 1975)
Central Africa (Region 5)
I.Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) (est. 1983)
ECONOMIC COMMUNITY
OF THE SIXTH REGION
(ECO-6)
The successful integration of the African Diaspora is cornerstone to the aspirations of Africa in the 21st Century. Both the OAU and the AU have called for Diaspora re-integration within the continental economic framework. To these ends, the "Treaty Establishing The Economic Community of States, Nations, Territories, and Realms of the African Diaspora Sixth-Region" was ratified by its inaugurating Members on August 1, 2019, with full Membership ratification being open to the diverse states of the Diaspora, including but not limited to:
States
i) Federative Republic of Brazil
ii) Commonwealth of Dominica
iii) Republic of Guyana
iv) Republic of Suriname
v) Republic of Haiti
vi) Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
Governments
vii) Government of Antigua and Barbuda
viii) Government of the African Diaspora
ix) Government of Bahamas
x) Government of Barbados
xi) Government of Cayman Islands
xii) Government of Guadeloupe
xiii) Government of Grenada
xiv) Government of Jamaica
xv) Government of Martinique
xvi) Government of Montserrat
xvii) Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis
xviii) Government of Saint Lucia
xix) Government of Saint Vincent and Grenadines
xx) Government of Turks and Caicos
Territories and Realms
xxi) Quilombos of Brazil
xxii) San basilio de Palenque, Colombia
xxiii) Moore Town Maroons, Jamaica
xiv) Scott's Hall/Kushite Maroons, Jamaica
xxv) Charles Town Maroons, Jamaica
xxvi) Sovereign State of Accompong
xxvii) Maroons of Suriname
All "nations" of the African Diaspora may become signatories, and all Kingdoms both throughout the Diaspora and across the continent may become members within the House of Kings.
ECO-6 Treaty
The "Treaty Establishing the Economic Community of States, Territories, and Realms of the African Diaspora Sixth-Region" provides pertinent information pertaining to the objectives, organs, and institutions of ECO-6.