Responding to COVID-19 through International Linkages: Lessons from the Lake Region Economic Bloc

Nelson Otieno Okeyo

Summary

LREB has offered a good test case for lessons on COVID-19 response owing to its unique but comparable model of inter-SNGs cooperation, the strategic location of some LREB Counties bordering other East African countries as gateways to the world, and its vulnerability to COVID-19. LREB, just like other SNGs in Africa, was adversely affected by the unilateral decisions of the Central Government’s COVID-19 response. Despite its challenges, LREB has ridden on its not-so-restrictive governing framework to recognise the indispensability of paradiplomacy and to showcase magnificent glimpses of international linkages in its COVID-19 response activities. This policy brief highlights the main finding that the sustainability of the linkages is still a concern for such otherwise promising arrangements. This brief recommends that in the future, African SNGS like LREB should revamp and enhance international visibility, information sharing and consultation with the Central Governments, financial independence, and efficient budgeting efforts to ensure sustainable international linkages.

Introduction

Overview of COVID-19 and response in LREB

International linkages: LREB’s Response to COVID-19

Prospects of Greater Internationalization in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Recommendations

1. African inter-SNG cooperation blocs such as LREB should harness mechanisms for cooperation, information-sharing, and effective consultation with the Central Government to reduce scepticism and unfounded fears of threats to political autonomy, which often cripple the paradiplomatic activities of SNGs in Africa.

2. The African SNGs and inter-SNGs cooperation organs, such as LREB, should deliberately organise strategic participation in international conferences and events to improve their international visibility necessary for practical cooperation and linkages with foreign SNGs. 

3. Blueprints, Agreements and legislations that establish blocs similar to the LREB should address specific steps on preparedness for future global and national pandemics. Already, policymakers and legislators across Africa can leverage existing political will formally expressed in County COVID-19 Re-Engineering and Recovery Strategy 2020/21-2022/23 and similar strategic agreements across Africa. 

4. Policy-making organs of SNGs in Africa, such as the LREB Council, should recognise and prioritise strategic planning on global networking regarding their identified pillars of cooperation beyond the health sector. 

5. SNGs in Africa should ensure financial sustainability and independence through efficient budgeting, among others, in the face of inadequate funding by Central Governments

Acknowledgement