East African infrastructural development race: a sign of postmodern Pan-Africanism?. Issue 4 (4th July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Were, Edmond
• Is Part Of: Cambridge review of international affairs. Volume 35:Issue 4(2022)
• Page Start: 566
• Page End: 591
• Publication Date: 2022-07-04
• Subjects: International law -- Periodicals; International relations -- Periodicals; 909.8205
• DOI: 10.1080/09557571.2019.1648382
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0955-7571

Abstract

Abstract: The large-scale infrastructure projects being implemented in the East African Community (EAC) region portray signs of postmodernism especially as a reaction to and disenchantment with the development models adopted by African countries till the 1980s. Whereas the past model of high modernism focused on transforming national economies through implementation of large-scale infrastructure projects, the current thinking in the EAC focuses on fast tracking not only national development but also regional integration and realising Pan-African continental connectivity for sustainable development. The projects, however, manifest a competitive race amongst the partner states and subscribe to the African Renaissance mantra but push countries into debt entrapment and protracted dependency. Postmodern Pan-Africanism ought to incorporate 'African content' in the whole process of infrastructure development. The region's transport corridors host infrastructure projects that show signs of a paradigm shift from the historical structure of exchange to an integrated regional mode of social and economic exchange. Infrastructure development is contextualised from a historical perspective that locates the viability of the Central, Northern and LAPSSET (Lamu Port–South Sudan–Ethiopia–Transport) Corridors in Pan-African connectivity, sustainable development and self-reliance.