Role of Regional integration in the Promotion of Human Security: Rwanda in East African Community as a Case Study:

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to assess the role of regional integration in the promotion of human security, taking Rwanda in East African Community as a case study. Most of the researchers such Arthur (2010) and Omorogbe (2012) looked at human security as military, political and conflict resolution capacity, rather than looking at human security at its broadened sense that covers economic, political, community, personal, health, food and food security (UNDP, 2006). The researcher carried out this study basing on the three specific objectives, namely to assess the impact of regional integration on economic security of Rwanda in EAC, to find out the relationship between regional integration and personal security, and to find out the role of regional integration on political security of Rwanda in EAC. The researcher has used descriptive research design with a mixed approach to collect data from the respondents using both questionnaire and interview guide as the data collection instruments. The sample of 68 respondents was purposively considered basing on the criteria set by the researcher in order to get relevant data. The results of the study have revealed that 41 (60.3%) of respondents confirmed that collaboration is applied to a great extent to enhance economic integration. The result also indicates 51 (75.0%) of respondents confirmed that social interaction enhances economic integration to a very great extent while 41 (60.3%) of respondents affirmed that political security enhances regional integration and human security to a moderate extent. The findings revealed there is positive significant correlation between personal security and collaboration (p=.824 and sig=.000), between personal security and security cooperation (p=.901 and sig=.000), personal security and social interaction (p=.722 and sig=.000) and between personal security and trade liberation (p=.931 and sig=.000) because calculated significance levels are under 0.01 level of significance. The findings of the study also shown that 35 (51.5%) of respondents recommended the EAC to ensure political security through protecting regional interest against national / special interests. Thus, the researcher recommends that people crossing borders should put efforts in understanding the benefits of regional integration, and be able to benefit the economic cooperation between the EAC to enhance human security through ensuring their well- being and security, the researcher also recommends to The EAC to work hand in hand to ensure human security to all the people living in EAC and continue promoting regional integration through cooperation within the countries of EAC, to continue the project of free movement in EAC and joining hand to fight against human insecurities.