In a bid to address these challenges , the three Regional Economic Communities ( RECs ) in East and Southern Africa - COMESA , the East African Community ( EAC ) and SADC - joined forces in a Tripartite Initiative in 2005 and since then have agreed to work together in order to achieve a congruence of activities . Furthermore , a road map has been set for the achievement of a Tripartite Free Trade Area ( FTAs ) by January 2012 .