Tanzania, March 23 -- The leaders of Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda met in Zanzibar, on what was described as talks focused on integration issues within the framework of the regional bloc, the East African Community (EAC). Of particular importance was the need to fast track a political union for the partner states, a goal which has eluded the EAC for decades. On paper, three countries met, however, in reality the rest of the partner states 'attended' as well.

The meeting came at a time when there have been many forces pulling in opposite direction within the region ranging from the raging wars in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to never ending petty squabbles over trade to the countries which met in Zanzibar.

The meeting was vari...