Conakry, Guinea – (African Boulevard News) – The Central African bloc, CEMAC, has been weakened by a hiatus at the top of its executive organ. This has arisen after Baltasar Engonga Edjo of Equatorial Guinea was appointed to the post more than a month ago, but is yet to take over from Gabon’s Daniel Ona Ondo, who is currently serving as the leader in the interim.
The delay in handing over the leadership has led to concerns about the bloc’s ability to deal with pressing regional issues. CEMAC was established to promote cooperation among its six member states of Cameroon, Chad, the Central African Republic, Congo-Brazzaville, Gabon, and Equatorial Guinea in pursuit of economic and financial integration.
According to a report by Africa Intelligence, the leadership hiatus is impacting the bloc’s decision-making processes, with key projects such as the construction of the regional headquarters delayed. The report further noted a lack of cohesion within CEMAC’s leadership, which could undermine its ability to address critical issues in the region, including security and economic developments.
While no official reason has been given for the delay in the leadership transition, experts suggest it may be due to political upheavals in Equatorial Guinea where its long-serving leader, Teodoro Obiang Nguema, is reportedly facing significant opposition.
“CEMAC is currently facing a leadership crisis, and the delay in handover is raising questions about the bloc’s ability to achieve its objectives,” said a regional expert who asked not to be named. “This also has economic implications for member states as investors may adopt a wait-and-see approach, which could impact foreign investments, ” he added.
CEMAC’s instability is coming at a time when the region is grappling with security concerns, including the activities of rebel groups and transnational criminal organizations. Analysts fear that the delay in appointing a permanent head could leave the region vulnerable, especially concerning managing its shared borders and addressing local security matters.
In conclusion, the stalled transition of CEMAC’s leadership has raised concerns about its ability to deal with pressing regional issues. The delay in handing over power is impacting the bloc’s decision-making processes, with key projects delayed. CEMAC’s leadership crisis also has significant economic implications for member states, which could discourage foreign investments.
