According to experts from TradeMark East Africa and East Africa Business Community (EABC), although the inter-regional deal that came into force on July 25 has an Annex on cooperation on trade and customs matters and general infrastructure, there is none on security. 

In a statement, the trade facilitators said a security pact would enhance other integration aspects by erasing existing suspicion amongst some member states. 

There is a strong link between security and trade so, in the future, TFTA members may need to negotiate a protocol on security whose implementation will be challenging considering the large membership."

"Despite the challenges, we remain optimistic that the deal will achieve desired objectives."

Creck Buyonge Mirito, an international customs and international trade policy, reform, and modernization expert says that trying to ensure that the 26 countries expected in the TFTA are reading from the same script is a tall order – but it can and must be done if security matters are addressed