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The majority of African countries have ratified or acceded to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, and many have received support through the Global Environment Facility and the UN Environment Programme for development of their National Biosafety Frameworks. This article examines the extent to which these frameworks are aligned with the goals of the Regional Economic and Regional Research Communities of which they are members. Many national approaches lack alignment with regional trade, economic, science and technology policies. The strict application of the precautionary principle and the imposition of costly administrative hurdles are likely to hinder intra-regional trade and technology development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the light of the recent conflicts in Somalia, Ethiopia, Liberia, not to mention old ones, Biafra, Angola, Shaba, Chad, Uganda, Sahara, Mauritania, there is need to strengthen the regional economic and political co-operation with a permanent diplomatic instrument in form of a military intervention force as a prerequisite for peace, stability, security and development. It should be remembered that when military intervention is largely handled by foreign or external powers, it is very likely to be unpopular with neighbouring states and others within the region, especially if such intervention is carried out to maintain in power a dictatorial regime or to uproot it for political and strategic reasons. With the New World Order and the gradual disappearance of pro-West and pro-East dictators in Africa, it is hoped that this type of intervention, often from the big world powers, will give way to more positive co-operation. From a legal viewpoint, it has been argued that military intervention, whether individual or collective, is illegal since it is contrary to the provisions of article 2, line 4 of the UN Charter concerning the use of force against the territorial integrity or the political independence and sovereignty of a state.