The countries of the East African Community have historically been drawn together, and numerous initiatives have been launched in the past to further integrate them. But tensions between the countries have typically disrupted the formal relationships that they were trying to develop. The current iteration of the East African Community has been the most successful. It has already seen the implementation of a common market and customs union — though with limited success so far — and is working on the adoption of a common currency. Economic integration, critical to the development of these countries as low-end manufacturing hubs , will continue. However, a political federation has been discussed since colonization and every attempt has been derailed by national interests.